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AfOx
The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) Director Professor Kevin Marsh has been honoured with the prestigious Sir Patrick Manson Medal for 2025. This award, the highest distinction conferred by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH), recognises Professor Marsh’s outstanding contributions to global health, particularly in the field of malaria research and scientific leadership across Africa.
A distinguished malariologist, Professor Marsh began his research career at the MRC Unit in The Gambia after qualifying in medicine at the University of Liverpool. He established and directed for 25 years the Oxford associated KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of malaria, especially the complex relationship between transmission intensity, immunity, and clinical disease. Beyond his scientific achievements, Professor Marsh has been a tireless advocate for strengthening research capacity and leadership within African institutions.
Reacting to the award, Professor Marsh said:
"It is an incredible honour to be awarded the Sir Patrick Manson Medal. It actually gives me a sense of unreality to see my name added to the list of previous awardees, which embodies so much of the history of Tropical Medicine and Global Health. The landscape has changed enormously since Manson’s time, especially in recognising the urgency of shifting leadership and decision-making to the countries and communities most affected by global health challenges. I am delighted that RSTMH has embraced this shift, which makes receiving this honour particularly meaningful."
Professor Marsh was nominated by Professor Jimmy Whitworth, who praised him as an outstanding leader in global health who has made enormous contributions to research, policy, and scientific capacity building.
The AfOx community extends its warmest congratulations to Professor Marsh on this well-deserved recognition. His work continues to inspire researchers and leaders across Africa and beyond, and this award is a testament to his enduring impact on global health.
Professor Kevin Marsh also serves as a Senior Adviser at the Science for Africa Foundation.
Additional information
Click here to read more about the RSTMH Medals and Awards Winners for 2025
Image 1: Professor Kevin Marsh, Africa Oxford Initiative Director.
Image 2: Professor Kevin Marsh (left) with Joint-president RSTMH, Professor Margaret Gyapong (right). Image Courtesy of RSTMH.