Queen’s Birthday Honour for the Director of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Press release 18 Jun 2012
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Professor Janet Hemingway FRS, the Director of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and CEO of the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) has been awarded the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the Control of Tropical Disease Vectors.

Last year, Prof Hemingway achieved a remarkable ‘double’ where she was one of 44 new Fellows elected by The Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science and at the same time received international recognition by being elected as one of only 16 overseas Fellows inducted into the American National Academy of Sciences, the US equivalent of The Royal Society.

Janet Hemingway has dedicated her entire adult life to alleviating human suffering through the study of insect-transmitted human diseases, most notably via the malaria transmitting mosquito.  She has been the main driving force globally behind research into insecticide resistance.

Prof Hemingway has not only reinvigorated the academic community to pursue active study of disease vector insecticide resistance in the field, she has also secured commitment from the agrochemical community to work in partnership to deliver the next generation of control strategies for disease carrying insects. She has secured more than $100million to drive these programmes forward. This work has already ha d significant health impact by reducing malaria transmission in disease endemic countries, saving many thousands of lives annually. More importantly, the legacy that is being generated through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation sponsored IVCC will ensure that this impact continues into the future.

As Director and custodian of the oldest school of tropical medicine in the world, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Prof Hemingway has turned a failing institution into one of the most vibrant and successful research institutions in the UK and globally. She has managed to retain the historic ethos of the institution and helped it become more relevant to current challenges in global health. Against a backdrop of sector wide cuts and contraction, Prof Hemingway has steered LSTM through a period of unprecedented expansion—the School’s estate has doubled in size, staffing has more than doubled, and research income has increased 6 fold.  This achievement has been a boost regionally and nationally and has contributed significantly to the UK being recognised as a centre of excellence in tropical disease.

As part of her vision, Prof Hemingway has redirected the science base of LSTM towards the goal of delivering the next generation of “tools” that will impact on diseases that blight populations in resource poor settings. To this end LSTM has made several strategic professorial appointments to put it at the forefront of research, not only in malaria and vector control but also in neglected tropical diseases, child and maternal health and respiratory infections.

As a scientist and as Director of LSTM, Professor Hemingway has shown world-class leadership, vision and commitment. Before she became involved in the study of insecticide resistance in disease carrying insects the area was poorly funded and considered unimportant. Through decades of committed effort, underpinned by internationally recognised research and publications, she has completely changed the international mindset. Her drive and vision has also ensured that the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine is well equipped to achieve its ambition to be the number one institution in tropical medicine and health in the world, and deliver its mission to improve the health and well being of people in the poorest areas of the world.

Professor Hemingway commented: “I am delighted to receive this honour, which also reflects upon the great teams of people I have worked with over the years, as things are never down to one individual.“ 

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For further information, please contact:

Kathleen Carroll
+44 151 705 3261
klc@liv.ac.uk 

Notes to Editors:

About LSTM

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine is a world leading institution developing new treatments for malaria, TB, HIV and other neglected tropical diseases.

www.lstmliverpool.ac.uk 

About IVCC

The Innovative Vector Control Consortium is a product development partnership formed in 2005 which has received $100m investment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

www.ivcc.com