Late last year, Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, Univeristy of Lagos, Professor Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo has been awarded the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) Gold Medal Prize for Life Sciences for the year 2018, along with two other Nigerian scientists – DR. Emmanuel OLuwadare Balogun of the Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University and Prof. Temidayo Olusade Ogundiran of the Department of Surgery, University of Ibadan.
At an Awards Ceremony organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), the co-winners were presented with the NAS Gold Medal Prize on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos.
They were awarded this Prize for their outstanding research works in the area of molecular genetics and biotechnology addressed to solving significant health problems affecting mankind.
They were selected for their significant scientific achievement in using the cutting edge technology and expertise of molecular genetics to understand the basis of cleft lip and palate (CLP) in sub-Saharan Africa, ingenious application of a template for developing transgenic tse-tse flies to achieve biological control of trypanosomiasis and advanced an original contribution to the understanding genetic disparity in cancer between people of African descent and other races.
Their achievements are of local relevance to the problems of the African region and have internal resonance of high level scientific knowledge contributions from them as part of human heritage.
The event was well-attended by Fellows, Members of the Nigerian Academy of Sciences, staff and students of the University and other dignitaries.