Trailblazing Researcher Sherifat Lagundoye Wins Africa’s Prestigious Award for Transformative Work in Heart Health

By: Segun Abe

Sherifat Lagundoye, a leading figure in clinical research, has been honored with one of Africa’s most prestigious awards, recognizing her outstanding contributions to cardiovascular and infectious disease research.

Her work spans continents and disciplines. At NHS Scotland – Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Sherifat directs multiple NIH-sponsored studies, including the RECOVER Initiative on post-acute COVID-19 syndromes, and oversees innovative clinical trials for Clostridioides difficile infection. Her leadership ensures rigorous standards, patient safety, and research integrity.

In Africa, Sherifat has focused on tackling rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a condition that affects millions of children and young adults and contributes to more than 1.4 million deaths annually. Partnering with Strait Access Technologies in South Africa, she has advanced the development of minimally invasive, affordable heart valve devices designed for low-resource settings. These innovations aim to make life-saving cardiac interventions accessible to those who need them most.

Sherifat is also pioneering artificial intelligence in cardiology. Collaborating with Children’s National Hospital and teams in Uganda, she has developed AI-powered echocardiography tools that detect RHD early, allowing trained nurses to screen children efficiently and prevent severe disease before surgery is needed. Experts in the field note that this technology could transform how heart disease is diagnosed and treated across the continent.

Her recent award reflects both her scientific excellence and her commitment to improving health outcomes globally. From advancing cardiovascular devices to integrating AI into clinical care, Sherifat Lagundoye’s work continues to set new standards in research, mentorship, and public health innovation.