Dr. George Njoroge, a scientific researcher based in Indiana, United States, has been inducted into the coveted scientific ‘Hall of Fame’, Njoroge was named the 2012 Hero of Chemistry, by the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world’s largest scientific society,

The honors come in the wake of the discovery and development of the Hepatitis C drug Victrelis by Njoroge and a team of scientists working at the global pharmaceutical firm, Merck Research Laboratories. The drug is the first oral Hepatitis C virus protease to be approved by the FDA, and has been approved in 43 countries, and is in the market in 23 of these countries.

Njoroge, an alumnus of the University of Nairobi, graduated with a first class honors in Organic Chemistry, and pursued further studies graduating with a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio in 1985. In 1988, Njoroge joined the Schering-Plough Corporation (SPRI), where as a researcher he focused on the design and synthesis of orally bio-available small molecules for treatment of viral diseases and cancer.

In a colourful ceremony held at the Laico Regency Hotel, University Of Nairobi Alumni Association (UONAA) Agriculture Alumni Chapter was launched.

The well attended event attracted many University of Nairobi (UoN) alumni. Some members of the first cohort of the Faculty of Agriculture – class of 1973 were also present.

The chief guest Hon. Ekwee Ethuro, Member of Parliament, Turkana Central, congratulated the University on the launch of the new chapter. He challenged the alumni association to keep its members updated on its activities and engage them in various projects. He highlighted the need to create and strengthen relationships between the University and the private sector players.