The Ethiopian Scientist who made scientific discovery by observing Ethiopian women wash clothes in a river stream.

Blogger's Note:  
In honor of the late Professor Aklilu Lemma who was born in September 18, 1935, I am posting a reprint of a biographical profile of him that appeared in 'Ethiopian calendar with Biographies 2004 E.C. (2011-'12G.C.) edition.
Aklilu Lemma 1928-1989 EC (1935-1997)
World recognized scientist and international civil servant
On Meskerem 7, 1928 EC (September 18, 1935) in the town of Jijiga, Woizero Ayelech Lemma and Ato Bekele Woldeyes had a baby whom they named Aklilu. Information about his childhood or school years is scant.i When Aklilu joined University College of Addis Ababa, later known as Haile Selassie University, he studied Science. In 1960 he earned his Master‘s degree from the University of Wisconsin, and then a DSc from Johns Hopkins. As a doctoral student, he was already interested in bilharzia, and he studied the defense mechanisms of starfish and sea urchins.ii
Back home, one day in 1964, the young scientist observed an everyday scene: women washing clothes in a stream. They were using a common shrub, Endod or soapberry, which women in some parts of Ethiopia have used for laundry for generations. What surprised Aklilu was the scene of dead snails—carriers of bilharzia.
In an acceptance speech in the Swedish Parliament at the 1989 Right Livelihood Award, which he won along with his colleague at the Institute of Pathobiology, Dr. Legesse Wolde Yohannes, Aklilu explained how the discovery was made in the northern Ethiopian town of Adwa. "I observed," he said,

"that in areas downstream from where people were washing clothes with the Ethiopian soapberry, commonly known as Endod, there were more dead snails floating around than anywhere else (including areas where people were washing with commercial soap). Observing this phenomenon repeatedly, I collected some live snails from upstream and asked one of the women to put a bit of the Endod suds from her washbasin into the snail container. Shortly after, the snails shrank, passed a few bubbles of gas, bled and died."iii

In 1966, after much testing in the laboratory, Professor Aklilu presented his finding to a science forum. For Africa, where the disease schistosomiasis is common, the discovery of a low-cost and biodegradable snail-killing agent (molluscicide) represented a major breakthrough. In the meantime, Aklilu started a parasitology program at the medical college, which evolved to become Institute of Pathobiology. He also became the first Ethiopian dean of the Faculty of Science. iv
Then Aklilu spent two years at Stanford University working on the chemical properties of Endod and its potential applications to snail fever and other parasitic diseases. When the analysis finally isolated the chemical component, it was named Lemmatoxin in his honor.
Lemmatoxin has a controlling effect on several other vectors besides snails—mosquitos (malaria), copepods (Guinea worm) and Black flies (river blindness). With his research recognized, Aklilu's team conducted extensive field work using Lemmatoxin. Among 3,500 children aged one to six, incidence of the disease fell from 50 percent to 7 percent.v
The research on Endod, however, had many ups and downs. His colleague Dr. Legesse noted,:

"..When Aklilu first made this scientific discovery,..many outside Ethiopia (such as) the English came forward with suggestions of collaboration. Aklilu had the belief that it did not matter where the science was developed, so a sample was given to the Tropical Plant Products Institute. For the following years, 1967-68, they did not report anything, while we were turning out many publications, including that it was not toxic. On his way to the States, he stopped by the Tropical Plant Products Institute and asked them how their research was going.They told him it was going so well that they had decided to patent it before publishing anything. (Aklilu) did not let his anger show but established a patent in the States and through the Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK stopped the others' claim. After that, they stopped praising Endod and started defaming it."vi

Meanwhile, the Institute of Pathobilogy in Addis Ababa sought funding from the World Health Organization for agricultural production, field application, and evaluation of Endod in Ethiopia. However, WHO denied the request, saying that the earlier studies on Endod were not done in reputable laboratories.
In 1976, Professor Aklilu joined the U.N. in New York, serving first at the Office of Science and Technology, and later UNICEF. Yet, he never once neglected his 'wonder plant', carrying out projects on his own initiative.
Meanwhile, the chemistry of Endod was studied at the Stanford Research Institute in California. Later, the International Development Research Center in Canada published a finding that Endod berries were, indeed, non-toxic to humans, thus confirming Aklilu‘s finding.
From 1993 until his death, Dr. Aklilu, while at Johns Hopkins University, was involved in promoting indigenous capacity building in scientific research in areas of HIV/AIDS control in his home country and Uganda by establishing links between Johns Hopkins and their flagship universities.
Aklilu is also known for promoting science education and research in Ethiopia. He was the chief organizer and Vice Chairman of the committee for the establishment of National Scientific and Technical Research Council. He became Chief Advisor for Science and Technology to the government in the 1960′s and laid the groundwork for the present Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission.
Dr. Aklilu has three patents, five books and 60 scientific papers to his name. He has won many awards including the Haile Sellassie I Gold Medal and the 1989 Right Livelihood Award, considered an alternate to the Nobel Prize.
Professor Aklilu died on April 5, 1997 at the age of 62 and was buried in Ethiopia.
Sources:
i Excerpt http://www.nazret.com/directory/index.php?c=35 has of the official website: http://
www.aklilulemma.com which has no more presence on the web.
ii iv AKLILU, Lemma. In An African Biographical Dictionary.2006.
Acceptance Speech of Dr. Aklilu Lemma. The Right to Livelihood Award http://
www.rightlivelihood.org/aklilu_lemma_speech.html
iii v Dr. Aklilu Lemma - Ethiopia‘s Late Greatest Scientist. Addis Tribune, April 25, 1997.
PROF. AKLILU LEMMA http://www.ethiopianmillennium.com/science.html
Fekadu Fullas – The Fascinating Story of Endod, 2005. EEDN Discussion listserve

Got your Ethiopian New Year Calendar with Aptitude?

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous Ethiopian New Year, Once again, it is our great pleasure to announce that the 2006 E.C. edition of 'Ethiopian Calendar with Primary Source Materials' is out and is ready for orders. As usual, this unique calendar contains educational content related to Ethiopian history and culture. That's why we call it 'Calendar with Aptitude' or 'Calendar with Attitude'. Here are samples of the rave reviews we have received for our past editions:
Reviews of last year's (first primary sources) edition:

“This year's calendar introduces users to notable primary sources. Anyone who is interested in Ethiopian history will find the calendar a wonderful document that educates and opens new venues for further research..[Publisher] effectively uses the pages of the calendar to provide a variety of sources that tell interesting stories about Ethiopia and Ethiopians. Indeed, the 2005 E.C. calendar is a wonderful piece of work and I invite fellow Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia to get their own copies...” Ato Tewodros Abebe

“..Each month of the calendar includes a page-long story that focuses on a significant event or personality that is important in Ethiopian history. Subjects reflect a variety of backgrounds and time periods. Here is the perfect gift for an Ethiopian friend or a friend of Ethiopia!" Dr. Theodore M. Vestal, Professor Emeritus Oklahoma State University

"..It is a very [good]instrument that indicates an interesting event that has occurred in Ethiopian History during each month, in addition to the photos famous protagonists and their birthday. It shows the richness of Ethiopian society and culture as well as the diverse personalities that have represented its politics, arts, and many aspects of its makeup. I recommend it highly and because it useful at home and working place for its practical use and as a reference when some aspects of Ethiopian history and personalities are discussed." Ambassador Imru Zelleke
Reviews of past (focusing on biographies) editions:
“Ethiopian calendar…sprinkled with the biographies.. of notable Ethiopians in all spheres of life… (leaders of yesteryear, artists, scientists, etc.) who have rendered significant contributions to the progress and culture of our proud and historic nation. It also reminds one, of the various key holidays in Ethiopia; the calendar for each month is juxtaposed with Gregorian calendar for cross referencing, which is a useful aspect of the calendar.”Dr. Fekadu Fulas. Sioux City, Iowa

"..The Biographical Calendar …stands alone in its quality. Each month carries a marvelous biographical piece on one great Ethiopian, you wish there were more than 12 months per year!!..The calendar is a great piece of work that reminds us the many great lives in our Ethiopian past. It gives us an opportunity to talk to our kids about their work be it in literature, art and patriotism.” Dr. Araya Amsalu. Cincinnati, Ohio.

Last year's primary source materials range from historical speeches made by Emperor Haile Selassie or by Dr. Melaku Beyan etc..to transcripts of recorded voice correspondences between Emperor Menilik & Queen Victoria. From the letters of Alfred Ilg, the Swiss born advisor of Emperor Menelik to diary notes of two Americans who had been in Ethiopia at different times & participated in war and peaceful efforts. This year's edition will live up to its reputation and contains rarely seen or told narratives about events in Ethiopian history, most of them based on documents found in archives, libraries and museums. We believe that the primary source materials we have selected provide essential information about those events in Ethiopian history or the personalities we featured.

Orders can be placed at the following community market place: Ethiopian Calendar With Primary Resource Materials 2006 E.C. Edition on Square Market