The Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, has unveiled a plaque to inaugurate a science laboratory in honour of the late Professor Marian Ewurama Addy. The facility has been named the “Marian Ewurama Addy Laboratory for Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research”.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, who attended the ceremony, shared his memories of the late Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy whom he described as a woman who revolutionized the Sciences to encourage more female participation. Prof. Aryeetey lauded the Department of Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology for submitting the request for approval in March last year. He added that since the University attaches great importance to recognizing accomplished members, the proposal was supported by all the various Boards and Committees, as well as the University Council.
The Vice-Chancellor thanked the family of Prof. Addy for working with the University throughout the years and also sharing in the success story.
The Chairperson for the occasion, Prof. Isabella Quakyi, a former Dean of the School of Public Health emphasized that the late Professor Addy’s staunch advocacy for women to pursue programmes in the Sciences. She was grateful to the University for honouring one of its most illustrious academics.
On her part, the Dean of School of Biological Sciences, Prof. Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, was full of appreciation for the sacrifices made by the late Prof. Addy. She recalled vividly how Prof. Addy single-handedly organized the first Women in Science Meeting in the University, to mentor and train young women with the interest to pursue Science. “Her memory would forever remain with us,” she added.
The late Prof. Marian Ewurama Addy dedicated much of her research in Biochemistry to the authentication of the efficacy of medicinal plants. She started working at the University from 1976 as Lecturer, and became Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology from 1988-1991; 1994-1997, and retired in 2002 as Professor of Biochemistry, being the first female professor in the Sciences at the University.
Her pioneering work in Medicinal Plants Research attracted funding for the Department to support graduate training and equipment purchases. Prof. Addy’s research findings led to the authentication of many herbal medicines used for the treatment of asthma and Type 2 diabetes. She also supervised several graduate students to Masters and PhD levels, most of whom, have gone on to excel in the same or other fields on both regional and international stages.
The ceremony was attended by faculty members and students from the Department including the Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Dr. Gordon Awandare, the Dean of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor Daniel Asiedu, Heads of Departments as well as family members of the late Prof. Marian Ewurama.
