Lalita Ramakrishnan, a leading Indian American microbiologist in tuberculosis research, has been awarded the 2024 Robert Koch Prize for her pioneering work in the field.
Endowed with approximately 132,000 USD (120,000 Euros), this accolade marks the first time since 2007 and only the fourth time in the prize's history that a woman has received the award individually.
Currently serving as the professor of immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Cambridge, Ramakrishnan is recognized widely for her research, which has significantly advanced the understanding of the disease's biological mechanisms. Her development of a zebrafish model has provided groundbreaking insights into the interactions between bacteria and host during infection, leading to new treatment strategies.
"We are honored to recognize Prof. Dr. Lalita Ramakrishnan, a top scientist who is doing pioneering work in tuberculosis research," said professor Dr. Wolfgang Plischke, chairman of the Robert Koch Foundation. "Tuberculosis remains a significant global health challenge. Prof. Ramakrishnan's pioneering research is vital in the fight against this devastating disease."
"The disease is still one of the main causes of death, even though a live attenuated vaccine has been available for a century and effective antibiotics have been available for 60 years," he added.
The Robert Koch Foundation, established in 1907, annually honors outstanding contributions to medical research with several high-ranking awards, including the Robert Koch Prize and the Robert Koch Gold Medal. This year, the Gold Medal will be awarded to Stuart L. Schreiber for his lifetime achievements in chemical biology, notably in combating resistance in cancer treatments.
The awards ceremony will be held on November 8, 2024, in Berlin. The recipients of the Post-Doctoral Awards will be announced later this year.
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