Allan Ronald

Allan R. Ronald (born August 24, 1938) is a Canadian doctor and microbiologist. He has been instrumental in the investigation into sexually transmitted infections in Africa, particularly in the fields of HIV/AIDS. Ronald is the recipient of multiple awards and honours.

Life and education Ronald was born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, in 1938 and received bachelor's and medical degrees from the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1961. He did postgraduate work at Winnipeg General Hospital, the University of Maryland Hospital, the Institute for Medical Research in Lahore, Pakistan and the University of Washington. He joined the University of Manitoba medical faculty in 1968, attaining the rank of full professor in 1976; he headed the departments of medical microbiology (1976–1985) and internal medicine (1985–1990) and served as the associate dean of research from 1993 to 1999. According to a University of Winnipeg citation for an honorary doctorate, the program Ronald developed has resulted in groundbreaking findings solving some of the major mysteries surrounding the transmission and spread of AIDS. It has been called the most important research site in the developing world for HIV/AIDS with 700 abstracts or publications arising from it. It has also been pivotal in understanding the disease in Africa and resulted in important programs to help prevent the spread of the HIV/AIDS.

Awards and honors Ronald received an honorary doctorate from the University of Winnipeg in 2006. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an Officer of the Order of Canada, and was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame in 2010.