A multi-specialist in Medical Research, Practice & Teaching, Professor Christian T. Happi obtained his tertiary education at the University of Yaounde, Cameroon; University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Harvard University, USA and quite a number of other professional institutions. In his impressive mix of qualifications are: First degree in Biochemistry, M.Sc. & Ph.D. in Molecular Parasitology and PostDoctoral Fellowship in Molecular Biology & Genomics, with emphasis on Malaria Infection.
Professor Christian Happi’s professional exposure has been very remarkable. He was Research Scientist & Adjunct Faculty for 7 years at Harvard University; and Adjunct Faculty the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Research & Training cum Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics at the University of Ibadan’s College of Medicine.
In April 2011, our Celebrant was engaged by Redeemer’s University, Ede in Osun State as a Professor of Molecular Biology & Genomics.
Progressively, he served as Foundation Dean of the University’s College of Post-Graduate Studies; First Director, Directorate of Research Innovation & Partnerships; and a Member of the institution’s Governing Council. Significantly, he is also Director of the World Bank-funded African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases at Redeemer’s.
On his current schedules, Christian Happi is an Adjunct Professor in two Departments at Harvard University — Immunology & Infectious Diseases of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Organismic & Evolutionary Biology. He is also a Visiting Professor, Quantitative Bioscience Institute, University of California at San Francisco.
Professor Happi has attained great heights indeed, on account of his cutting-edge research focus on genomics of infectious diseases, which include Malaria, Lassa Fever, Ebola Virus, Monkey-Pox, Yellow Fever, HIV, COVID-19) & Human Genomics – with significant outcomes that have boosted progress in medicine and related sciences. Also, as Team Leader and Teacher, he has enhanced the professional of over 1,600 young African Scientists.
He is a Member of the Advisory Boards of several International Organizations, including: Global Alliance for Genomics & Health, Canada; UK Biobank; Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness & Innovation, Denmark; Moderna Global Vaccine Programme, USA; International Atomic Energy Agency, Austria; Illumina Infectious Disease Surveillance & Testing, USA; WHO on Novel Pathogens and on SARS-COV-2 Evolution; US National Institutes of Allergy & Infectious Disease
Global Council; and the journal, Science.
With over 200 scientific publications to his credit – as Sole and Co-Author – Professor Christian Happi is a Member of the Nigerian National Health Research Committee. His professional affiliations include:
Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Sciences; Fellow, Academy of Medical Specialties of Nigeria; Member, US National Academy of Medicine; and Senior Associate Member, Board Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Expectedly, recognition has come to him from far and wide. Included here are: Merle A. Sande Health Leadership Award; NUC Award for Best Nigerian Academic Researcher in Life Sciences & Medicine;
Human Genome Organization [HUGO] Africa Prize;
Bailey K. Ashford Medal of the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene; 5″ Most Influential African in the field of Public Health compiled by Harvard University; Kuwait Foundation for Advancement in Sciences Al-Sumait Prize for African Development; Gold Medal Prize of the Nigerian Academy of Sciences; Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award for the Most Outstanding Genomic Laboratory.
He is happily married with children.
Ladies & Gentlemen, we respectfully invite Professor Christian T. Happi to receive the Hallmarks of Labour Role Model Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Science.
Congratulations, Sir!