Malaria treatment pioneer awarded honorary doctorate

The University of East London has conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Science on Professor Dr Mahmoud Hashem Abdel Kader for his contributions to chemistry.

At a ceremony at the University's Docklands Campus on 4 September 2024, Professor Abdel Kader said it was an honour to receive the accolade, particularly as he entered the latter stages of his illustrious scientific and academic career.  

In his speech, he said: 

It is not just recognition of my work, but a celebration of the collective efforts of all those who have inspired and supported me throughout my academic journey. It is a source of pride to receive this award from the University of East London.”

Currently, a Professor of Laser Photochemistry at Cairo University and the Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the European Universities in Egypt – where a strong academic partnership with the University of East London has been established – Professor Abdel Kader’s career has spanned more than four decades, during which time he has been at the forefront of research into the use of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of malaria and other diseases.

His idea, which he patented, was to extract chlorophyll from plants, used as a photosensitizer, and spray in swap areas where malaria-carrying mosquito eggs and larvae lived. Once exposed to sunlight, the extract would kill the microorganism, and thus end the malaria disease cycle.

Professor Abdel Kader said he considered the work to be his top achievement with it being the first technique worldwide to be utilised to eradicate malaria using green technology, hereby helping mitigate the impact of climate change on the redistribution of malaria worldwide.

In addition to his scientific achievements, his doctorate citation also referenced his tireless advocacy for interdisciplinary research and collaboration throughout his career, including his tenure as Vice Dean of the National Institute of Laser-Enhanced Science at Cairo University, where he helped foster an environment where scientists from diverse fields could work together to address complex problems.  

He also contributed to the establishment of the German University in Cairo in 2002, the first German university outside of Germany, and served as its first president for 15 years

Beyond sharing his expertise via his own research, Professor Abdel Kader’s career has seen him supervise more than 110 PhD and master's students, inspiring the next generation of scientists, and nurturing their intellectual growth.

He said: “You can compare it to a child who discovers their environment around them as they grow. With research, you are discovering everything around you, and every day you have a problem, and you must figure out the right way to solve that problem.”