Leading South African researcher Professor Tulio de Oliveira was recently presented with a distinguished Order of Merit Medal by the Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Professor de Oliveira, head of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) and who was at the forefront of the world’s Covid’s research and variant discovery, was presented with the award on board a Portuguese Navy ship that had docked in South Africa.
The medal presented was in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the realm of science and research. The award ceremony marked a significant occasion as Professor De Oliveira’s exceptional work continues to garner international acclaim and admiration.
The Order of Merit Medal, one of Portugal’s highest honours, is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in their respective fields and have made significant contributions to the betterment of society.
Professor De Oliveira, acclaimed for his pioneering work in scientific research, was deemed an eminently worthy recipient of this prestigious accolade.
President De Sousa praised Professor De Oliveira’s unwavering commitment to knowledge and his pivotal role in advancing critical research, which has had a positive impact on countless lives worldwide. The president commended Professor De Oliveira’s determination to combating infectious diseases and his invaluable contributions to both South Africa and the international scientific community.