Nicole Zitzmann awarded Ebola Medal
Research Fellow and Lecturer in Biochemistry Professor Nicole Zitzmann has been awarded the Ebola Medal for Service in West Africa for her invaluable and selfless work during the crisis in March and April 2015. The medal was presented to Professor Zitzmann by the University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Andrew Hamilton, at a ceremony at the Department of Biochemistry last Friday.
The medal has been created by the UK Government and awarded to military and civilian personnel who tackled Ebola on behalf of the UK in West Africa. People who have received the medal include armed forces personnel, doctors and nurses from the NHS, laboratory and public health specialists and members of the civil service and non-governmental organisations.
Over 3,000 people gave their time and expertise to work in very challenging conditions in West Africa. Their work supported West Africa to deal with the outbreak and has prevented Ebola from infecting people in the UK.
Commenting on the award, Professor Zitzmann said:
"I have to say I never expected to do anything in my life that would end up in me receiving a medal, so this felt a bit unreal and very humbling. I like to think of this as for the people of Sierra Leone who have been through so much, and especially those who have lost loved ones.
"My deeply felt thanks go to everyone who made it possible for volunteers like me to go to West Africa and do our bit, especially Public Health England, the New and Dangerous Pathogen Team who trained us, and the International Medical Corps who looked after us while we were in Sierra Leone, as well as my wonderful team Makeni 5 (as well as teams 4 and 6), and all the medics, nurses and staff in the Mateneh Ebola Treatment Centre I had the privilege to work alongside for a few weeks. It's been one of the most worthwhile things I have done in my life."
- For the full story of Professor Zitzmann's time in Sierra Leone, see the 2015 edition of Postmaster
- Government press release: 'Ebola medal for over 3000 heroes'
