Professor George Njoroge is a Kenyan medical and pharmaceutical scientist widely known for leading research in the field.
Serving as the Kenyan co-principal investigator alongside UK lead Professor Robert Bristow, George participated in a research project funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
During the project on early detection of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), George was the joint lead applicant.
Professor George Njoroge, alongside the UK scientists, was awarded KSh 446 million for the advancement in the early detection of oesophageal cancer.
The research partnership involved the Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), and several Kenyan institutions.
According to the professor, the collaboration between Kenya and the UK in establishing early detection measures for cancer will help in the diagnosis and management of the oesophageal cancer.
“The unique collaboration between Kenya and the United Kingdom in this oesophageal cancer study will go a long way in establishing ways that would tilt the balance, whereby oesophageal cancer could be detected at the potentially curative stages 1 and 2 rather than the late stages 3 and 4. This will be a game changer in the diagnosis and management of that disease,” George stated.
Early Life and Educational Background
George Njoroge was born in 1954 and was brought up by a single mother.
However, at the age of three, his mother left him under his grandmother’s care after getting engaged to her partner.
For his primary education, George attended Kiawairia and Kamuchenge primary schools, then joined Thika High School to pursue his secondary education.
At Thika High School, George completed his O levels in 1973 and A levels in 1975.
For his higher education, George attended the University of Nairobi, where he graduated with a first-class Honors.
In addition, he earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1985.
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George Njoroge Career and Achievements
In 1988, George joined Schering-Plow Research Institute (SPRI), focusing on the treatment of viral diseases and cancer.
During his time at the SPRI, George held positions including Senior Principal Scientist, Associate Director, and Director of Medicinal Chemistry.
He also led the discovery of Victrelis, the first-in-class oral HCV protease inhibitor for hepatitis C, in May 2011.
In addition to his scientific contribution, he contributed to the second-generation inhibitor that was marketed in Russia.
He was also the honorary professor of medical education at the University of Manchester in the UK.
Upon returning to Kenya after spending over 30 years in the United States pharmaceutical industry, he took up the role of Chief Scientific Officer at KUTRRH.
Between 2022 and 2025, George served as a board member at KCA University and as a member of the Board of Directors at KEMRI, where he chaired the Research and Innovation Committee.
George further chaired the Center of Africa’s Life Sciences (C.O.A.L.S.) in Naivasha, which was aimed at training African scientists.
Apart from his scientific contributions, George Njoroge is an author and co-author of 134 scientific publications and 104 U.S.-granted patents.
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Awards and Honors
- American Chemical Society (ACS) Hero of Chemistry in 2012 ‘Hall of Fame’.
- Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award.
- Emerald Award for Professional Achievement in Industry.
- Honorary Doctor of Pharmaceutical Science, MKU, 2014.
- Pioneer Award for Impact in Science and Medicine, Face2Face Africa,2018.
- Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa), KCA University, 2021
- Distinguished Alumni Award, Case Western Reserve University, 2021.
