(Trinidad Express) Renowned Caribbean health researcher and scholar Professor Emeritus David Picou has died at the age of 97.
A tribute to him in a news release yesterday from the Health Ministry reported that his career spanned over seven decades and that he assumed many significant and influential roles, including that of physician, educator, researcher and pioneer.
“Today we mourn the loss of a remarkable human being, a celebrated hero who dedicated his life and career to the field of medicine and medical research. As we say goodbye to one of our own, we mourn this brilliant academic scholar, engaging intellectual and passionate leader, we give thanks for his legacy that will continue through his life’s work to save the lives of the most vulnerable in society. Prof Picou has proven to be a true leader by his example, his discipline and his unrelenting drive to make a positive difference,” the release stated.
The ministry said that his invaluable contribution to the field of nutritional health was evidenced by his many published studies and his revolutionary work in the development of clinical guidelines for care of severely malnourished infants, thereby saving the lives of millions of babies in resource-poor countries.
The professor also held many esteemed positions including the Director of the Tropical Metabolism Research Unit at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica and was the first Caribbean national and graduate to be appointed in this post.
Picou also served as the chairman of both the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) Scientific Advisory Committee and the CAREC Research Ethics Committee, on the Board of the West Indian Medical Journal as well as on multiple WHO and Pan American Health Organization advisory committees.
In T&T, Picou was instrumental in the establishment of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex during his appointment as the project manager and chairman of the Mt Hope Medical Complex Task Force over the period 1978-1987.
He was also recognised as an authority on malnutrition and trained medical researchers during his tenure as the first professor of Experimental Medicine at The UWI.
The release said that his expertise was also sought out internationally, having also lectured at prestigious institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the US National Institutes of Health.
His contribution to the medical field has been recognised locally and regionally as he received numerous accolades including the Chaconia Medal Gold in 2006 and the Caribbean Institute for Health Research Award in 2019.