Chalmers Medal

The Chalmers Medal is awarded by RSTMH every year and recognises researchers in tropical medicine or global health who demonstrate evidence of mentoring and professional development of junior investigators, and other forms of capacity building. 

This Award is now closed for nominations. The winner of the award was announced at the RSTMH Annual Meeting in September 2025. 

Eligibility and nominations

• Nominations are annual
• Nominees should be researchers in tropical medicine or international health from anywhere in the world, who obtained their last relevant qualification between 15 and 20 years ago, allowing for career breaks
• Nominations must show evidence of mentoring of junior investigators, and evidence of providing professional development to junior investigators
• Nominations should come from RSTMH members and Fellows ONLY
• Nominees should be RSTMH members or Fellows ONLY
• Self-nominations must be accompanied by a supporting statement from an RSTMH member or Fellow
• For any enquiries regarding this award, please contact Nell.Dasso@RSTMH.org

2025 Chalmers Medal recipient: Professor Joel Tarning

The winner of this year’s Chalmers Medal is Professor Joel Tarning, who was nominated by Professor Nick Day. The Chalmers Medal recognises researchers in tropical medicine or global health who demonstrate evidence of mentoring and professional development of junior investigators, and other forms of capacity building.  

Professor Tarning’s work on antimalarial pharmacometrics has underpinned many of the current WHO malaria treatment guidelines, ensuring that children and pregnant women now receive the correct treatment for this deadly disease. This is just one example of his sustained contribution to global health and the overall scientific community. 

“I am deeply honoured to receive the RSTMH Chalmers Medal. This recognition is not only a personal accolade but also a tribute to the many colleagues, collaborators, communities, and patients who have contributed to this work. I accept this award with great humility, standing alongside the many giants in the field of global health who have received this award in the past,” 

Professor Joel Tarning. 

History and prize

Dr Albert John Chalmers, MD, FRCS, DPH was born in Manchester in 1870 and began his distinguished tropical career in Ghana where he worked from 1897 to 1901.

He spent the following ten years in Sri Lanka before becoming a Holt Fellow of University College, Liverpool. From 1913 to 1920 he was Director of the Wellcome Research Laboratories in the Sudan. He died in Calcutta on 5 April 1920.

In 1921, Mrs Chalmers, his widow gave £500 to RSTMH in memory of her husband. The RSTMH Council decided to devote this money to the foundation of the Chalmers Memorial Medal.

The Chalmers Medal recognises researchers in tropical medicine or global health who demonstrate evidence of mentoring and professional development of junior investigators, and other forms of capacity building.

These skills are in line with Dr Chalmers’ own values of supporting the work of younger researchers. Dr Chalmers was known for being ready with help and encouragement to those early in their careers.

Recipients recieve a medal, which is in silver gilt, and bears a likeness of Dr Chalmers and the motto Zonae torridae tutamen on one side, and the other side is a representation of Anopheles gambiae above a spray of the cinchona plant and encircled by the name of the Society.