The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Announce New Research Fellowship in Malaria Genomics in Honor of Professor Dominic Kwiatkowski
New Orleans, Louisiana, November 15, 2024 — The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) is proud to announce the establishment of the annual Kwiatkowski Fellowship, a new research initiative in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). This fellowship honors the life and scientific contributions of the late Professor Dominic Kwiatkowski, a pioneer in the field of malaria genomics.
The Kwiatkowski Fellowship will be awarded annually to one early- to mid-career researcher from a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) focused on advancing research in malaria genomic epidemiology. This initiative not only commemorates Professor Kwiatkowski’s legacy but also aims to foster the next generation of researchers dedicated to combating malaria in endemic regions.
Each recipient of the Kwiatkowski Fellowship will receive $20,000 designated to advance their research project, plus membership and travel to the following year’s ASTMH Annual Meeting.
This initiative leverages ASTMH's position as the largest multidisciplinary scientific society in tropical medicine and global health. The fellowship will provide a platform for selected researchers to engage in networking opportunities and foster scientific collaboration through attendance at the Annual Meeting and year-long connections.
“I cannot thank ASTMH and BMGF enough for this wonderful opportunity that not only continues the legacy of Dominic but also allows young scientists from low- and middle-income countries to attend ASTMH’s Annual Meeting, furthering their dreams of careers in genomic epidemiology,” said Professor Abdoulaye Djimdé, chief of the molecular epidemiology and drug resistance unit at the Malaria Research and Training Centre University of Bamako, Mali.
“Honoring Professor Kwiatkowski’s legacy, this fellowship supports the next generation of scientists from endemic countries to push the boundaries of malaria genomic epidemiology research,” said Philip Welkhoff, director of malaria at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “We are proud to partner with ASTMH on this initiative, reflecting our shared commitment to innovative science that brings us closer to a world where no child dies from this preventable but deadly disease.”
"Professor Kwiatkowski's impact on malaria research has been profound, and this fellowship ensures that his commitment to advancing science in this field continues," said Dr. Linnie Golightly, president of ASTMH. "We are thrilled to partner with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in this important endeavor."
Applications for the Kwiatkowski Fellowship will open in spring 2025.
Contact: Doug Dusik
Senior Manager, Communications
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
ddusik@astmh.org
END
For more information about ASTMH and its initiatives, please visit www.astmh.org