ISLAMABAD: Prof Shahida Hasnain of Punjab University has been named laureate of the Unesco Carlos J. Finlay Prize 2017 for microbiology together with Dr Samir Saha of Bangladesh.

The prize has an endowment of $10,000 to be divided between the two laureates.

Created in 1977 by the UN body at the initiative of Cuba, the prize rewards scientists whose research made an outstanding contribution to microbiology and its applications.

Prof Hasnain and Dr Saha will receive the prize in Paris on Nov 6 during Unesco’s annual conference to be attended by its 195 member countries from Oct 30 to Nov 14.

Prof Hasnain, who is founder and chairperson of the department of microbiology and molecular genetics at the University of Punjab in Lahore, has won numerous distinctions for her work. Her department is recognised as a centre of excellence both for its equipment and expertise.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2017