Stop TB Partnership

Union awards honour achievements in TB and HIV

27 October 2011 - Lille, France - Outstanding contributions in the fields of TB and HIV were honoured at awards ceremonies during the Union World Conference on Lung Health (the Union).

Dr Haileysus Getahun of the World Health Organization’s Stop TB Department received the 2011 Union Scientific Prize, which acknowledges researchers at any stage of their career in tuberculosis (TB) or lung health. Dr Getahun was recognized for his contribution to the development of TB and HIV policy and practice, as well as his work with the TB/HIV Working Group of the Stop TB Partnership.

The Union’s new Young Investigator Prize was awarded to Dr Keren Middlekoop, a clinician and senior investigator at the Desmond Tutu HIV Research Centre, the University of Cape Town, for her work on the epidemiology of TB and HIV and the impact of HIV and antiretroviral therapy on patients with TB. The prize was established in recognition of scientific achievement in the fields of TB or lung health in the past five years while the researcher was aged 35 years or younger.

The Princess Chichibu Global TB Memorial Award, presented annually in memory of Princess Chichibu of Japan by the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, was awarded to Richard J. O'Brien, Senior Consultant for TB Product Development, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics. Dr O’Brien was honoured for his commitment and contribution to global TB control and prevention, especially in the research and development for new drugs and diagnostics.

Professor John F Murray was awarded The Union’s highest honour - The Union Medal - at the General Assembly. The Union Medal recognizes highly distinguished careers contributing to the fight against tuberculosis and lung disease.

For further information about the Union's awards, please go to the conferences section of the Union website.