Sir Professor Alimuddin Zumla is Professor of Infectious Diseases and International Health at University College London. He serves as visiting Professor at several institutions in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. ‘Sir Zumla’ is globally renowned for his exceptional, health policy-relevant priority research, capacity development, advocacy and charitable contributions to tackling WHO Blueprint priority pathogens, particularly Tuberculosis and respiratory tract infectious diseases with epidemic potential. He is also distinguished for his pioneering global leadership since 1990 of ‘equitable north-south research partnerships’ (Web: https://www.unza-uclms.org/) aligned closely with high quality capacity development and training for empowering younger generation and senior African faculty to take leadership of global health  issues so that the future of African science is secured. Sir Zumla has been a pioneer of promoting equitable Africa-Europe partnerships and in facilitating the clinical development and evaluation of diagnostics and therapeutic products and interventions for poverty-related diseases (PRDs). Si Zumla is known for  leadership of international networking of researchers, policy makers, funders and donors for PRDs. This culminated in his pioneering innovation and leadership of the Pan-Africa Network for Rapid research, Response and Preparedness for Infectious Diseases Epidemics (PANDORA-ID-NET-  https://www.pandora-id.net/  strongly  supporting  leadership by a high profile African female scientist in the Congo.

Born in Chipata, Zambia, Sir Zumla graduated in medicine from the University of Zambia and has had a star-studded career. As a BEIT scholar he obtained his MSc degree in Tropical Medicine (with distinction and the Mugratroyd Prize) and his PhD (Woodruff Medal) at the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.  After spending four years at UK's premiere institute, the Hammersmith Hospital, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, and obtaining specialist clinical accreditation in infectious diseases, he subsequently spent two years as Associate Professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, USA. Throughout his career he has focused on supporting Africa research and training. In 1994, Sir Zumla was appointed Director of the Centre for Infectious Diseases and International Health at University College London) with significant globally recognized impact.

Sir Zumla has received over 25 prestigious awards, prizes and medals( http://www.unza-uclms.org/prof-zumla-awards-honours) including: the WHO STOP TB Partnership Kochon Prize and Medal(2012); the  Times Higher Education Award(2013); the Order of the Grand Commander of Distinguished Services from the President of Zambia(2014); the Albert Chalmers Medal(2000) and the Donald Mackay Medal(2014) from the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; a 'Doctorate honoris causa' from Karolinska Institute, Sweden, for ‘exceptional contributions to science, healthcare & humanity at large’(2016); The Union Medal (2018) from the International Union Against TB and Lung Diseases. In 2017 he received a Knighthood (Knight Bachelor) from Her Majesty The Queen for exceptional Services to Public Health and Infectious Diseases. In 2020 he received the Mahathir Science Award, the most prestigious international award  for Tropical Sciences.