Francisca Mutapi

Why you should listen

Professor Francisca Mutapi's research has had an extraordinary impact on the policy, practice and control of neglected tropical diseases. For instance, her work enabled 50 million African children to access treatment for schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms. Her research has also improved the diagnosis of lupus in people of African descent and contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic response in Africa. 

Mutapi was the first Black woman to be appointed professor at the University of Edinburgh in its 400-year history and the first Black African female professor appointed in Scotland. She is a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. She is also a keen visual artist, using proceeds from her art sales to support children and youth in Zimbabwe -- work she furthers through her NGO, Mwenje Wedu Trust.