Professor Kevin Marsh, Senior Advisor at the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) and a former member of its Board (August 2021–May 2025), has been awarded the 2025 Sir Patrick Manson Medal by The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene  (RSTMH). The medal, RSTMH’s highest distinction, recognises Professor Marsh’s outstanding contributions to malaria research and leadership in strengthening African-led science.

Professor Marsh, a leading authority in malaria, began his career at the MRC Unit in The Gambia after completing his medical training at the University of Liverpool. He established and led the Oxford-affiliated KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya for over two decades. His research has been pivotal in deepening global understanding of malaria, particularly how transmission levels shape immunity and disease outcomes. Alongside his scientific work, he has been a committed champion of strengthening African research institutions and nurturing scientific leadership on the continent.

Speaking upon receipt of the award, Professor Marsh said: “It is an incredible honour to be awarded the Sir Patrick Manson Medal. It actually gives me a sense of unreality to see my name added to the list of previous awardees, which embodies so much of the history of Tropical Medicine and Global Health. The landscape has changed enormously since Manson’s time, especially in recognising the urgency of shifting leadership and decision-making to the countries and communities most affected by global health challenges. I am delighted that RSTMH has embraced this shift, which makes receiving this honour particularly meaningful.”
 
“On behalf of the SFA Foundation, I warmly congratulate Professor Kevin Marsh on this well-deserved recognition. His immense contributions to global health initiatives have left an indelible mark, particularly through his unwavering commitment to supporting and amplifying African-led research. Across research, policy, capacity strengthening, and mentorship, Professor Marsh has nurtured a generation of scientists and leaders who continue to transform the continent’s health landscape. His visionary ability to birth pioneering scientific initiatives, many of which have grown wings to become continental giants with sustainable impact, stands as a testament to his legacy. Africa and the world celebrate a science champion,” said Dr Tom Kariuki, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SFA Foundation.
 
Professor Kevin Marsh currently serves as Co-Director of the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx), a cross-university platform based at the University of Oxford, which aims to facilitate equitable and sustainable collaborations between researchers at the institution and African universities, as well as increase the number of African students pursuing postgraduate degrees at Oxford.

About the Sir Patrick Manson Medal
The Sir Patrick Manson Medal is the highest honour awarded by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH). Established in 1923 to commemorate Sir Patrick Manson, widely regarded as the “father of tropical medicine,” the medal is presented every three years to an individual whose work has made an exceptional impact on tropical medicine or hygiene.