For over four decades, Prof. Richard Adegbola has leveraged his expertise as a microbiologist
and public health advocate to protect vulnerable communities from preventable diseases. He
currently serves as Chairman of the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC)
Nigeria, and works as a Research Professor & Consultant at the Nigerian Institute of Medical
Research. His present focus is on strengthening vaccine implementation and enhancing
healthcare system capacity to reduce pneumonia-related deaths among children under fivethe
leading cause of death in this age group in Nigeria- despite the availability of effective
vaccines. During his tenure at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit in The Gambia, part
of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Prof. Adegbola played a
pivotal role in advancing the widespread adoption of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
conjugate vaccine. Routine use of this vaccine has resulted in a 90% reduction in severe Hib
infections globally. After a distinguished 20-year career with the MRC, he joined the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation as a Senior Program Officer for pneumonia clinical studies.
Subsequently, he served as Global Director of Scientific Affairs and Public Health at
GlaxoSmithKline. Prof. Adegbola has received international recognition for his important
contributions to vaccine science and his grassroots efforts to promote immunization
awareness across sub-Saharan Africa.

He holds a PhD in Medical Microbiology and
Bacteriology from the University of Dundee, UK. His extensive list of publications can be
accessed here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=adegbola+r