On January 8, 2025, a momentous event unfolded as the Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, announced the winners of the **Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2024**. This prestigious initiative honors excellence in research while emphasizing the critical role science plays in advancing women’s health and reproductive care across Africa. With its focus on empowering women and youth in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), the awards serve as a beacon for gender equity and social progress.
**Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej**, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of MARS, emphasized the need for such initiatives, stating, “African women continue to be underrepresented in research. Through programs like the MARS Awards, we aim to bridge that gap and empower women and youth in STEM to create long-lasting health and societal impact.”
The **MARS Awards 2024** celebrated African innovators across two categories: **Best African Women Researchers** and **Best Young African Researchers**.
In the Women Researchers category, South Africa’s Dr. **Nompumelelo Lebogang Malaza** took top honors for her groundbreaking study on the connection between biochemical markers and neonatal outcomes in diabetic pregnancies. Second place went to Ghana’s Dr. **Dorotheah Obiri**, who explored immune dysregulation in placental malaria and hypertensive pregnancy disorders.
The Young Researchers division crowned Dr. **Jules Irenge Mongane** from the Democratic Republic of Congo as its victor for his pivotal work on the link between bacterial vaginosis and tubal factor infertility, a leading cause of reproductive challenges. Shared second place went to two innovators: Dr. **Christian Chassem Lapue** of Gabon, who examined helminth infections in women of reproductive age, and Dr. **Gebrhud Berihu Haile** of Ethiopia, whose research delved into neonatal mortality and survival factors in intensive care units.
The awardees’ achievements underscore the transformative role scientific research plays in addressing critical issues like reproductive care and maternal health—complex challenges that disproportionately affect women and vulnerable groups in Africa.
As part of their recognition, the winners have been granted opportunities to elevate their research through advanced training programs at a **prestigious institute in India**. These experiences will equip them with cutting-edge knowledge and networks to push their work even further. Moreover, first-place winners have been invited to the **11th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary** in Tanzania—an essential platform fostering global collaboration among researchers, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers.
Dr. Jules Irenge Mongane, who attended the Luminary event, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the recognition, noting how initiatives like this transcend borders to create actionable solutions that uplift African communities.
Since its inception in 2016, the Merck Foundation MARS program has awarded **2080 scholarships** to young doctors specializing in 44 underserved medical fields across 52 countries. By focusing on critical areas like women’s health, infertility, and reproductive care, the foundation continues to shape the future of scientific innovation and healthcare delivery in Africa.
Looking ahead, the **MARS Awards 2025** are now accepting applications, with a deadline set for **June 30, 2025**. Open to final-year African PhD students and young investigators, the program focuses on fostering meaningful research that drives societal change. Interested applicants can submit their abstracts via **[mars@merck-foundation.com](mailto:mars@merck-foundation.com)**.
Collaboration remains at the heart of the MARS Awards. The 2025 edition is supported by key organizations, including the **African Union Scientific-Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC)**, the **African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS)**, and India’s **Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)**. Together, these partnerships ensure a thriving ecosystem for African researchers addressing urgent public health challenges.
The Merck Foundation’s vision is deeply rooted in creating lasting societal impact. By empowering African researchers, especially women and youth, the foundation is laying the groundwork for equitable healthcare solutions, gender equality, and transformative innovation across the continent.
As Dr. Rasha Kelej so eloquently put it, “Empowering researchers—especially young and female scientists—is not just an investment in individuals; it’s an investment in the future of Africa.”
Through initiatives like the MARS Awards, the Merck Foundation is not merely celebrating achievements; it is shaping a brighter, healthier future for Africa, driven by science, equity, and collaboration.
