Sir Brian Greenwood CBE FMedSci FRS

Brian Greenwood is a public health researcher whose work has had extensive impact in the understanding and control of infectious diseases in Africa. Brian’s pioneering studies of malaria have shaped contemporary prevention and treatment strategies, contributing to a 54 per cent drop in malaria mortality rates in Africa between 2000 and 2013.

Working in Nigeria and Gambia, Brian conducted several trials proving the life-saving benefits of childhood vaccination against the bacterial infections that cause meningitis and pneumonia. His work in malaria included demonstration of the effectiveness of insecticide-treated bed nets — a cornerstone of modern malaria prevention.

Brian is an adviser to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and World Health Organization, and has co-ordinated international consortia in malaria research and capacity development. In 2008, the Japanese government awarded Brian the first Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize for medical research, and in 2011 he was knighted in the New Year’s honours.

Professional position

  • Emeritus Professor of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Department of Infectious & Tropical Diseases

Subject groups

  • Health and Human Sciences

    Clinical epidemiology

  • Other

    Science policy

Sir Brian Greenwood CBE FMedSci FRS
Elected 1998
Committees Participated Role
Geographical Diversity Search Panel May 2023 - December 2025 Member
Biological Sciences Awards Committee January 2013 - January 2017 Member
Council December 2009 - November 2011 Member
Leverhulme - Royal Society Africa Award Committee May 2009 - April 2015 Chair
Sectional Committee 10: Health and human sciences December 2008 - January 2010 Member