London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The Fellowship recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their fields and to the public for good. For Professor Nyirenda, this honour reflects a career shaped by scientific excellenceand a sustained commitment to research grounded in African contexts and responsive to global health challenges.

Professor Nyirenda’s election recognises a body of work that has helped reshape understanding of non-communicable diseases in African populations, including important contributions to diabetes.

His research has challenged conventional models of disease, demonstrating that diabetes in African settings often presents differently, including among younger and non-obese individuals, with distinct underlying mechanisms and implications for prevention and care.

Alongside his scientific contributions, Professor Nyirenda has played a defining role in strengthening research systems across the region. From leading major programmes in Malawi to his current role in Uganda, he has consistently invested in building locally embedded research platforms that combine scientific precision with contextual relevance.

He has made significant contributions to research training across Africa, supporting doctoral researchers and early career scientists through a range of programmes and collaborations, including the Wellcome-funded Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CREATE).

Through this work, he has supported researchers across Africa and the UK, many of whom are now emerging as independent scientists, leading major studies, and shaping research agendas within their institutions and countries.

Professor Segun Fatumo, Head of NCD Genomics research at the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit said: 

“Professor Nyirenda's election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh is a recognition that is richly deserved. As someone who has benefited directly from his mentorship and support, I know firsthand the generosity with which he invests in the people around him. This honor reflects both the quality of his science, capacity building and the depth of his commitment to a more equitable global research landscape.”

As Director of the MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Professor Nyirenda leads one of Africa’s major international research partnerships, strengthening the Unit’s role in generating evidence that shapes policy and practice in Uganda, the region, and globally.

Professor Nyirenda said: 

"Being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh is a special honour. Scotland has shaped my path in so many ways - through my training, my work, and the sense of home it has given me - making this recognition particularly meaningful both personally and professionally. I am sincerely grateful to the many colleagues and collaborators whose support and partnership have been integral to this journey."