Professor Ahmed Mohamed El Hassan

Ahmed Mohamed El Hassan FRCP FTWAS (April 10, 1930 – November 10, 2022) was a prominent Sudanese professor of pathology who made significant contributions to the field of epidemiology and immunopathology of tropical and infectious diseases.

Born and raised in Sudan, El Hassan received his primary education at a Quranic school before advancing to Berber Intermediate School and later Omdurman Secondary School in Khartoum. He pursued his medical education at the Kitchener School of Medicine (now Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum), graduating with distinction in Medicine and Surgery in 1955. During his early career, he served in various medical capacities within Sudan’s Ministry of Health and undertook further training, including obtaining a Diploma in Clinical Pathology from the University of London.

El Hassan’s academic journey led him to the University of Edinburgh, where he completed his Ph.D. in Immunology in 1965. Upon his return to Sudan, he ascended to leadership positions within the academic and research community, serving as the head of the Department of Pathology and later as the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Khartoum. His dedication to advancing medical research and education extended beyond Sudan’s borders, as he played instrumental roles in establishing medical institutions and departments internationally, including at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia.

Throughout his illustrious career, El Hassan’s research focused on understanding the epidemiology and immunopathology of various tropical diseases, particularly leishmaniasis and mycetoma. His groundbreaking work earned him prestigious accolades, including the Shousha Prize from the World Health Organization and the Donald Mackay Medal from the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

In addition to his academic pursuits, El Hassan was deeply committed to his community, as evidenced by his leadership roles in organizations such as the Sudanese National Academy of Sciences and the Sudanese Cancer Society. He also contributed significantly to the advancement of medical education and research in Sudan, with institutions and centers bearing his name established in recognition of his invaluable contributions.

El Hassan’s legacy extends far beyond his scientific achievements; he was admired for his passion for photography, music, and literature. He leaves behind a lasting impact on the field of pathology and the broader medical community, inspiring future generations of researchers and clinicians to pursue excellence in the fight against infectious diseases.

Ahmed Mohamed El Hassan’s Selected Publications:

1. Zijlstra, E. E.; Musa, A. M.; Khalil, E. a. G.; Hassan, IM El; El-Hassan, A. M. (2003-02). Postkala-azar dermal leishmaniasis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 3 (2): 87–98.
2. Ghalib, H. W.; Piuvezam, M. R.; Skeiky, Y. A.; Siddig, M.; Hashim, F. A.; El-Hassan, A. M.; Russo, D. M.; Reed, S. G. (1993-07). Interleukin 10 production correlates with pathology in human Leishmania donovani infections. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 92 (1): 324–329.
3. Zijlstra, E E; El-Hassan, A. M. (2001-04). Leishmaniasis in Sudan. 3. Visceral leishmaniasis. Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. S27–S58.
4. Zijlstra, E E; El-Hassan, A. M.; Ismael, A; Ghalib, H W (1994-12). Endemic kala-azar in eastern Sudan: a longitudinal study on the incidence of clinical and subclinical infection and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene. 51 (6): 826–836.