BREAKING NEWS, Science & Tech
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OYEWALE Tomori, a professor of virology and president of the Nigeria Academy of Science, has been elected an international member of the US National Academy of Medicine, effective October 1 2016.
In electing Tomori, the NAM members noted his leadership role in establishing the Africa Regional Polio Laboratory Network, developing laboratory capacity for polio diagnosis and providing a framework for the setup of additional laboratory networks for yellow fever, measles, and other viral hemorrhagic fevers. The Academy observed that his broad expertise in disease control and commitment to strengthening health systems have led to his serving in numerous advisory and leadership roles for the World Health Organisation, governments and agencies. NAM members took cognizance of his elucidation of the properties of a virus — the Orungo virus — which he registered with the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, ICTV. It was further noted that he played a key role in the development of young African scientists through his leadership as founding vice chancellor of the Redeemer’s University in Nigeria.
Tomori, a 1971 veterinary graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, earned a PhD degree in Virology from University of Ibadan in 1976. He was recognised in Nigeria with the National Order of Merit, NNOM, the highest award for academic and intellectual attainment. Graduating as a veterinarian, he employed his training to achieve a level of recognition in the health sciences that serves as a model for the broad contribution of veterinarians to global health and the essence of the concept of “One Health” in dealing with current situation and picture of emerging and re-emerging diseases.
The US National Academy of Medicine, NAM, was established in 1970 as part of the US congressionally chartered National Academy of Sciences. The NAM provides unbiased, evidence-based, authoritative information and advice relating to biomedical science, medicine, and health, and science policy to governments, policy-makers, professionals, leaders in every sector of society, and the public at large. The NAM works across disciplines sparking innovative solutions to advance knowledge and accelerate progress in science medicine policy and health equity.
With his appointment, Tomori joins a group of distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to global science, medicine and health, including Professor Adetokunbo Lucas, the only other Nigerian, who was elected in 1988, as an international member of the US Institute of Medicine, IOM, as the US National Academy of Medicine was then known.
— Oct 19, 2016 @ 13:00 GMT
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