Omololu Falobi Awards for Excellence in HIV Prevention Research Community Advocacy presented

Awards recognize exceptional community advocacy and international leadership as critical in advancing microbicides research

24 February, New Delhi, India -- Two advocates have received the inaugural Omololu Falobi Award for Excellence in HIV Prevention Research Community Advocacy. The awards honor the late Omololu Falobi, a long-time HIV advocate and journalist who founded Journalists Against AIDS in Nigeria, was an instrumental pioneer member of the Nigerian Treatment Access Movement, and co-founded the Nigerian HIV Vaccine & Microbicide Advocacy Group. Omololu was killed in Lagos, Nigeria in October 2006.

The award was created to celebrate the life and values of this remarkable man and to create an ongoing legacy that recognizes his commitment and lasting contributions to HIV prevention research advocacy. The award will highlight the essential role of community advocacy and leadership in HIV prevention research.

"Omololu was a visionary leader and activist, who accomplished much in his short life. He dedicated himself to powerful advocacy around HIV and HIV prevention research in Nigeria, Africa and worldwide. He set new standards for HIV journalism on the continent and facilitated dialogue and engagement between communities, researchers, policy makers, media and civil society around vaccines and microbicides," said Mitchell Warren of AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition. "This award will honor advocates around the world who share Omololu's vision."

Impressed with the calibre of the individuals nominated, the independent review committee have selected two individuals to receive the inaugural Omololu Falobi Award for Excellence in HIV Prevention Research Community Advocacy award -- Srikrishnan Aylur Kailasam for community advocacy, and Lori Heise for international leadership. This is a mirror to Omololu's own work and vision -- community focus with international scope.

Srikrishnan Aylur Kailasam is the Research Manager at the Y.R. Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education in Chennai, India. Kailasam was honored for his pivotal role in working with and supporting marginalized communities in research settings. In selecting Kailasam for this Award, the selection committee noted his leadership in community research in India, and his commitment to, and respect for the communities that he works with. This has enabled those communities to be not only more informed about research and the importance of research, but also benefit from that research. Kailasam has worked tirelessly to develop bridges between science and community, and strives to improve the quality of life of the communities he serves.