Uche Veronica Amazigo is a renowned professor of Medical Parasitology and an expert in public health, particularly recognized for her groundbreaking work in onchocerciasis (river blindness). A Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, she was inducted into this prestigious body during the Academy’s Annual General Meeting in January 2015. In 2012, her exceptional contributions to public health were honored with the Prince Mahidol Award.

With a rich background in biology, parasitology, and public health, Professor Amazigo has dedicated her career to combating tropical diseases. She hails from Enugu, Nigeria, and holds a Ph.D. in Biology and Medical Parasitology from the University of Vienna, Austria. Additionally, she earned a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Parasitology from the Bernhard-Nocht Institute in Germany, and a Fellowship in International Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In 2013, her contributions were further recognized with an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

In her early academic career, Amazigo served as a senior lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she began her pioneering research on onchocerciasis. Her work led to significant advancements in understanding the social impact of the disease on rural communities. She secured a research grant from the United Nations’ Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) to continue her studies, which laid the groundwork for her influential role in the World Health Organization (WHO).

Her contributions to WHO, particularly in the development of the Community-Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) strategy, have had a transformative impact on public health. This strategy has reached over 112.4 million people for onchocerciasis treatment and millions more for other diseases. As the Director of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) from 2005 to 2011, Amazigo played a crucial role in engaging multiple African governments, NGOs, donors, and pharmaceutical companies in the fight against river blindness.

After retiring from WHO, she founded the Pan-African Community Initiative on Education and Health (PACIEH) in 2013, continuing her commitment to improving health and education across Africa.

Professor Amazigo’s outstanding work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named a Knight of the National Order of Burkina Faso and receiving the António Champalimaud Vision Award, among others. Her published works, including over 55 peer-reviewed articles, have made significant contributions to global health knowledge and practices.