KARACHI: Dr Anita K.M. Zaidi — president, gender equality division, and director of vaccine development, surveillance and enteric and diarrheal diseases programmes at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — has been elected to the US National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

Membership in the NAM is considered one of the highest honours in the fields of health and medicine and recognises individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements and commitment to service.

The election of 90 regular members and 10 international members was announced by NAM at its annual meeting held on Oct 18.

Dr Zaidi has been elected for global leadership in paediatric infectious disease research and capacity development relevant to improving newborn and child survival in developing countries.

“I am deeply honoured by the recognition from the National Academy of Medicine. I am also delighted as an Aga Khan University (AKU) alum, and very grateful for all the educational opportunities AKU provided to set me on this path,” said Dr Zaidi.

She grew up in Pakistan, graduating first in the inaugural medical class of AKU in 1988.

She was awarded the $US 1 million Caplow Children’s Prize for her work in saving newborn lives in the coastal areas of Karachi. The AKU recognised her research contributions in 2013 by awarding her the Aga Khan University Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Research.

She will also be awarded the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award in December.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2021