This June marked a significant milestone as we gathered to celebrate the remarkable career of Professor Maria Wawer, who officially retired from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Professor Wawer, a co-founder of the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP), has been an integral part of the global health community, dedicating decades of her life to advancing public health research and education. Her retirement was honored by her close colleagues and collaborators, including Professor David Serwadda, a founding member of RHSP; Professor Ronald H. Gray, a valued board member; and Assistant Professor Kate Grabowski, a distinguished collaborator from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Reflecting on her vast contributions, many individuals who have had the privilege of working with or learning from Professor Wawer shared their memories and deep gratitude. One former student poignantly recalled, “I have fond memories of taking a course taught by Dr. Wawer while I was an MPH candidate at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Wawer, thank you for all you have done — through your hard work, teaching, and inspiring others.”
Another testimonial echoed this sentiment, highlighting the profound impact of her work: “It is a great honor, Prof. Maria, and Prof. David Serwadda. You have made a lasting impact on the lives of millions of Ugandans and others, particularly in curtailing the burden of HIV and AIDS through your groundbreaking research. I am humbled by the significant contributions you have made.”
Among those who honored Professor Wawer’s legacy was Assistant Professor Kate Grabowski, who emphasized the transformative nature of Maria’s work. Dr. Grabowski recognized Professor Wawer as the founder of the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS), a pioneering research initiative that provided critical insights into HIV transmission. This study was instrumental in demonstrating that HIV viral load is the key determinant of transmission and that voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces male HIV risk by 60%. As Dr. Kate noted, “In the early 2000s, few men had access to VMMC or ART. Now, thanks in part to Maria's efforts, over 90% of people with HIV in southern Uganda are on treatment, and VMMC is widely available. HIV incidence is down 80%. Her contributions are immeasurable.”
The RHSP family wholeheartedly echoes these sentiments, expressing their profound appreciation for the mentorship and guidance that Professor Wawer has provided over the years. Her dedication to nurturing the next generation of scientists and public health professionals has left an indelible mark on the field and on those fortunate enough to have been under her tutelage.
While this milestone signifies the conclusion of Professor Wawer’s illustrious lecturing career, it also marks the beginning of new opportunities for her to continue mentoring young scientists and furthering the mission of RHSP. Her passion for research and education remains as strong as ever, and her contributions to public health will continue to inspire and guide efforts in the years to come.
We at RHSP are immensely proud of Professor Maria Wawer’s incredible accomplishments and the unwavering perseverance that has driven her throughout her career. Her legacy is one of profound impact, both within Uganda and across the globe, and we look forward to witnessing the continued influence of her work as she embarks on this new chapter.