It is a common saying that honor is not given, it is earned. This aptly described one of the illustrious sons of Africa and 2020 Bailey K. Ashford Medal recipient, Professor Christian Happi, who for his sterling contribution and distinguished work in Tropical Medicine and Public Health was honoured at the recent opening ceremony of the ongoing 2020 annual meeting of American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
The Bailey K Ashford Medal is given annually since 1941, to eminent scientists who have consistently for a minimum period of 20 years delivered outstanding service and value to the tropical medicine and global public health, and whose works have become a voice in Science.
Professor Happi, who is a Director, African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, earned his place as one of this year’s recipients based on his seminal works on several tropical diseases which include malaria, Lassa fever, Ebola and recently Covid-19.
The award was presented by Professor Dyann Wirth of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA, who coincidentally happened to be his biggest cheerleader, advisor and pillar of support in his journey to stardom in science.
While giving his acceptance, he said that he would not have been able to achieve the feat without supports from his family, numerous colleagues collaborators and friends. He also appreciated his amazing mentors over the years. Some of who are: Professor AMJ Oduola and Professor Oyewale Tomori; adding that the biggest of them all is Professor Dyann Wirth, who has been a guiding light and anchor in his scientific endeavour.