Under the theme ‘The role of scientific research in women’s health and reproductive & fertility care’, six winners from six different African countries were recognized in the 2023 Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards.
Among them is Stella Irungu, a Kenyan, who won in the category “MARS Best African Women Researchers (BAWR) Awards” for her research on identifying biomarkers for the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis.
Other winners in this category include Motshedisi Sebitloanez, a South African, for her research on women living with HIV treatment are at increased risk of premature menopause and Nigerian, Oyeyemi Ifeoluwa, whose research is on the anticancer effect of a copper (li) Complex with Vanilin 3-Ethyl-Thiosemicarbazone Ligand in triple-negative breast cancer.
Winners in the “MARS Best African Young Researchers (BAYR) Awards” category include Afework Tadele Mekonnen (Ethiopia), Stephene Shadrack Meena (Tanzania) and Theogene Uwizeyimana (Rwanda).
Their research work on: Social Determinants of Maternal Health in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Targeting Tumor-Promoting Inflammation to Control the Growth and Metastasis of Breast Cancer, and Prevalence and Risk Factors of Maternal Near-Miss at Kirehe District Hospital In Rwanda: Implications for Improving Women’s Health in Africa.
“Like every year since 2016, I am extremely proud of our six Winners of MARS Awards this year who have been recognized under the two categories of ‘BAWR’ and ‘BAYR’ for their valuable contribution in research, especially by African Female Researchers who are underrepresented in this field, as we all know,” Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merck Foundation.
“Through Merck Foundation African Research Summit – MARS Awards, we aim to empower African young researchers and of course to empower and encourage African women researchers through advancing their research capacity and promoting their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).”
Merck Foundation is committed to improving the lives of people and has been transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with its partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, by providing 1740 Scholarships for doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties.
“Out of our 1740 scholarships, we have provided more than 535 scholarships for clinical and practical training for Fertility & Embryology, PG Diploma & Master Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction & Embryology, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical skills to doctors from 39 countries across Africa and Asia. We are proud of this achievement”, added Dr. Kelej.
The award ceremony was attended by Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, OFR, President of African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS), President of The Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria & Secretary General of International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS), Nigeria and Prof. Dr. Satish Kumar Adiga, Head, Department of Reproductive Science and Coordinator at Fertility Preservation Centre, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India.
Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, OFR shared, “I extend my congratulations to all the deserving recipients of the MARS Awards 2023. The received entries demonstrated exceptional quality of research. This platform holds significant value for African women and young researchers dedicated to health research.”
Merck Foundation also announced the Call for Applications for new edition of MARS Awards 2024 to empower Women and Youth in STEM in Africa with special focus on ‘The Role of Scientific Research in Women Health and Reproductive & Fertility Care’.
MARS 2024 will have scientific support from African Union Scientific-Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC); African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS), International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS); and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), India.
Abstracts are invited from final year PhD students, young investigators involved in research and Medical Doctors in Postgraduate Medical Fellowship program related to either Women’s Health or Infertility and Reproductive Care.
Also, applicants should be primarily based at African research institutes and universities, although collaboration within Africa as well as outside is also welcome.
All applications should be online via, https://apo-opa.co/3vmV54I, or submitted to mars@merck-foundation.com, along with CV (including Name, Gender, Country, University/Hospital Name, Email address, Mobile Number) and the abstract document as an attachment latest 30th June 2024.
The entries are invited under Best African Women Researchers and Best African Young Researcher. The winners will receive a 3-month research training scholarship in India and also attend the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2024.
