London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Professor Sir Brian Greenwood has been awarded the prestigious MRC Millennium Medal Award by the Medical Research Council (MRC). The Millennium Medal, which was inaugurated in 2000, recognises MRC-funded scientists for outstanding research.

Prof Greenwood, Manson Professor of Clinical Tropical Medicine at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, has spent 50 years carrying out research in Africa, with a focus on some of the major infectious diseases killing children - malaria, meningitis and pneumonia.  His research has influenced national and international public health policies, and his methods for clinical studies and trials of drugs and vaccines have reinvented field research in tropical medicine.

In recent years, Prof Greenwood has contributed to several landmark studies including the trials of the RTS,S malaria vaccine, pneumococcal vaccines in The Gambia, the evaluation of a new meningococcal vaccine in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the development of seasonal malaria chemoprevention to prevent malaria. Among his other projects, he is currently involved in Ebola vaccine trials in Sierra Leone.

Prof Greenwood said: "I am very grateful to the Medical Research Council for awarding me the Millennium Medal which is, of course, recognition not only of my own research but also that of the many scientists with whom I have had the privilege of working during the past 50 years. There have been many changes in the way that research has been conducted in Africa during this period, the most important of which has been the increasing prominence of African scientists, and I am delighted that I have had the opportunity to contribute to this important change."

MRC Chief Executive, Professor Sir John Savill, said: "The MRC is delighted to award this year's Millennium Medal to Sir Brian. For over a century the MRC has been at the forefront of scientific discovery to improve human health. It is with great pleasure that I, along with the MRC's Council, can recognise the significant contribution of those who have helped transform healthcare and influenced national and international public health policies."

The medal was presented to Prof Greenwood in a ceremony at Somerset House, London, on 9 December by MRC Chairman, Donald Brydon. On presenting the medal, Donald Brydon said: "You can tell true leaders by the footprint they leave behind them and the affection, the love, the admiration for Sir Brian that I found when I visited The Gambia was really quite extraordinary and quite inspirational. What you've done is truly remarkable and I am absolutely delighted to present you with this medal."

For over a century, the MRC has been at the forefront of scientific discovery to improve human health. Founded in 1913 to tackle tuberculosis, the MRC now invests taxpayers' money in some of the best medical research in the world across every area of health.

Related links:

• Working life: Sir Brian Greenwood
• Malaria Centre
• Paving the road to a malaria-free world
• Previous winners of the MRC Millennium Medal