Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka

Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka "worked as Veterinary Officer of the Uganda Wildlife Authority from 1996 to 2000. During her tenure, Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka was involved in setting up veterinary programs and developing a policy framework for wildlife conservation to support the timely and efficient delivery of veterinary services including: translocation and reintroduction, and problem animal management.

"As part of her zoological medicine residency program through North Carolina State University, Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka received the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) Charlotte Fellowship Conservation Award in 2000. This led to new research on tuberculosis at the human, wildlife and livestock interface in Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks in Uganda in 2001 and 2002.

"Following-up on the research findings and recommendations, Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka became Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Conservation Through Public Health, an international grassroots NGO, established in 2002, to promote conservation with public health by improving primary health services for people and animals around protected areas throughout Uganda.

"Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1995. She completed a zoological medicine residency and Masters in Specialized Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Zoological Park in the USA in 2003. She also obtained a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University in the USA in 2003."

"The 39-year-old doctor, trained at the University of London’s Royal Veterinary College, has won accolades from Africa to the U.S. In 2008, she was honored with the San Diego Zoo’s “Conservation in Action Award” and was among eight women given an award for outstanding contribution towards tourism development and women empowerment in 2007. She was the recipient of the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship in 2006...

"Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka in the optics of her accomplishments and formal recognition: Whitley Gold Award for outstanding leadership in grassroots nature conservation, 2008 British Council Outstanding Young Alumni Award, 2008 San Diego Zoo Conservation in Action Award for her work in gorilla conservation.

"In 2007, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka received Recognition of Excellence for her outstanding contribution to the promotion of tourism and empowerment of women in Uganda on World Tourism Day and Seed Magazine named her one of their eight Revolutionary Minds in Science. In 1999, she was chosen as a Forum for African Women's Educationalists “Model of Excellence,” promoting education of the girl-child in Uganda by establishing a role model mentorship program."


 * Former Trustee, Gorilla Organization

She is married to Lawrence Zikusoka.