The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has conferred an honorary Doctor of Science degree on the Director of its Institute of Health Research, Professor Margaret Gyapong.

This follows her demonstration of excellence, leadership and sustained commitment to the needy, which have culminated in the award of millions of dollars in research grants to the University.

Prof Gyapong, who has become the face of the Institution, has a background in Medical Anthropology and Epidemiology and has risen to secure international credentials in research in the areas of malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

According to the University, she merited the degree due to her distinguished initiatives, interventions and achievements that have benefited the School and its needy female students.

A citation that celebrated her selfless service at the second session of the sixth UHAS Congregation on Saturday, April 9, said, “you have passionately distinguished yourself in implementation research, maternal and child health and neglected tropical diseases, working tirelessly to intersect health research and practice by building research capacity, leading the authorship of various toolkits and manuals, and facilitating knowledge sharing.”

“Since joining UHAS, the University has benefited from your immense experience in building research capacity, attracting academic collaborators, and winning large research grants. Your leadership has attracted about $5 million in research grants to the University and resulted in the Institute of Health Research is designated as a WHO/TDR satellite training centre for Implementation Research,” it added.

Prof Margaret Gyapong has about 116 scientific publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals and serves on numerous boards and committees, including Sight Savers Board of Trustees, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute External Review Board, the Task Force for Global Health Campaign Effectiveness Advisory Board, WHO Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) on Neglected Tropical Diseases and the WHO/AFRO Advisory Committee on Health Research and Development.

In 2017, she was among 12 women worldwide to have received the first Heroines award for their work in drawing attention to the needs of women suffering from the consequences of neglected tropical diseases.

She was also adjudged ‘Most Oustanding Female Scientist’ by the European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDTCP) in 2018 for her efforts toward reducing poverty-related diseases.

“You donated the entire prize of EUR 20,000 to establish the UHAS Needy Female Students’ Support Fund. Your award, no doubt, improved the university’s international visibility on the global academic landscape and among health educators and researchers.

“Throughout your career, you have demonstrated excellence, leadership, altruism, and sustained commitment to the needy, and today, UHAS is widely acclaimed for your efforts.

“The University Council, on behalf of the entire UHAS Community, congratulates you on your achievements and is proud that you are one of our own,” the University stated.

The degree was conferred on her by Chairman of the University Council, Justice Jones Dotse, who doubles as a Supreme Court Judge.