Lorenz von Seidlein was nominated by Prof Nick Day. “I nominated Lorenz because of his consistent impactful and always innovative contributions to clinical malaria research. It was his idea to conduct the AQUAMAT clinical trial in Africa, which led directly to the global use of artesunate for severe malaria. Trials he has led have resulted in the licensing of the first human malaria vaccine, provided evidence for the use of mass drug administration in malaria elimination efforts, and investigated how child health outcomes can be improved through housing improvements. I am delighted the Society is recognising these extraordinary achievements by awarding Lorenz the Donald Mackay Medal.”
Lorenz studied medicine in Dublin, trained in paediatrics in Miami, and in infectious diseases in Los Angeles. In 1995, he moved to The Gambia to work on the first antimalarial ACT trials (artemether- lumefantrine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-artesunate) in Africa. Lorenz acquired experience in vaccinology at the International Vaccine Institute in Seoul, Korea where he coordinated enteric vaccine related field studies in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Pakistan and Mozambique. In 2006 Lorenz moved to Tanzania to coordinate a of set of trials to evaluate the malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01.
Since 2014 Lorenz lives in Bangkok working at MORU on malaria elimination including mass administrations of antimalarial drugs, in Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. With colleagues in Bangladesh Lorenz is currently preparing a mass vaccination with R21/MM and drug administration campaign (MVDA) to interrupt malaria transmission. Over the last decade Lorenz is collaborating with colleagues from Denmark, UK, Thailand, and Tanzania on the evaluation of health benefits of novel house designs in Tanzania.
Read the full story on the RSTMH website
In Sept 2024, Lorenz was appointed as Visiting Professor of Molecular Biology at Mahidol University's Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine beginning in the academic year 2024 in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the discipline.
In an email announcing the Visiting Professorship, Prof Mallika Imwong said: “We are thrilled to have [Lorenz] on board and look forward to the vast knowledge and skills he will bring to the department. It will be an excellent chance to participate in stimulating debates and partnerships, and we are convinced that his presence will considerably benefit our academic community.”
Congratulations, Lorenz!
- With thanks to Tom Peto and Mallika Imwong for sharing news of these well-deserved honours.