Pakistani Researchers Win Prestigious UK Award

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistani researchers have been honored with the prestigious “Outstanding Team Impact Prize” by the United Kingdom’s Medical Research Council (MRC). 

This accolade celebrates a team whose collaborative scientific approach has significantly impacted medical research.

Dr M Iqbal Choudhary, a Mustafa (PBUH) Prize Laureate, Dr Sammer Yousuf, and their team from the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry and the Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, ICCBS, University of Karachi (UoK), received this recognition for their contributions to the “Global Network of the Tropical Neglected Diseases (NTD)” project.

This project, funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) from the MRC and led by Durham University, UK, involves an international network of leading scientists from the UK, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Pakistan.

They are working together to combat protozoan NTDs, specifically leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.

According to Mayo Clinic, Chagas (CHAH-gus) disease is an inflammatory, infectious illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is found in the feces of the triatomine (reduviid) bug, also known as the “kissing bug.” 

Prof Choudhary’s leadership in integrating diverse expertise from various scientific backgrounds exemplifies the success of team science in advancing research related to leishmaniasis.

This honor not only highlights the contributions of his team but also brings pride to Pakistan’s academic and scientific community.

The academic community of Pakistan extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr Iqbal Choudhary and his team for being recognized with this prestigious award, further cementing their role in global medical research.