We celebrate Louise Afran who has been awarded the University of Liverpool (UoL) 2022 Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences Staff Awards (ILCAMS) best innovator/creator for breaking barriers in academia with a commitment to making a real difference in improving the lives of females in Africa.

The ILCAMS held their Staff Awards in May 2022 to recognize the extraordinary contributions made by staff across the Institute. Over the past year, there has been a phenomenal amount of work going on, despite the challenges faced across the board due to COVID-19.  All staff were eligible to win an award with their peers, staff, and PGR students voting for people across thirteen categories, and there were 110 nominations.

Louise has demonstrated a great passion for immunology, and she has shown a unique motivation and determination to make a difference for women and girls with her research on HIV-exposed infants. She has demonstrated exceptional promise to develop into an independent research scientist within Africa. Louise shows great commitment to developing her independent scientific career in Africa, where successful women scientists are greatly needed.

Recently, she won a $2.63M from the Chan Zuckerberg Donor Advised Fund (DAF), through the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) to create the first single-cell atlas of African children in Malawi, and this remarkable and extraordinary win so early in her career demonstrates her brilliance, passion, and commitment to improving the lives of women and girls in Africa. She is on track as an emerging leader and is a reserved and humble person who deserves her hard work to be recognised and celebrated. “

You made us proud, Louise!