FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 13, 2025
BOSTON — Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R) has awarded Wael Al-Delaimy, MD, PhD, the 2025 PRIM&R Service Award, honoring his exceptional leadership, mentorship, and pioneering contributions to bioethics, research integrity, and public health.
Dr. Al-Delaimy is a professor of epidemiology at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and the School of Medicine at the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego). His career spans continents and disciplines, reflecting a deep commitment to advancing global health and ethical research practices.
“This recognition by PRIM&R, the most prestigious society in the field of medical research and ethics, is an honor that I am proud of as an achievement in my mission of advancing research integrity and ethics in health,” Dr. Al-Delaimy said.
“I have strived to advance the understanding of responsible conduct of research within my institution and lead by example, but the most rewarding experience has been developing this as a new field globally,” Dr. Al-Delaimy said. “By training, thus far, more than 100 certified fellows and close to 30 master’s students from 13 Arabic-speaking countries, and educating thousands more through webinars and workshops, we are creating a paradigm shift toward ethical research conduct.” “We are constantly learning and adapting to address new ethical challenges and define the boundaries of what research practice is acceptable and what is not,” Dr. Al-Delaimy said. “However, the basic ethical principles of honesty, transparency, justice, and integrity do not change and are the foundations of research and practice.”
Born and educated in Iraq, Dr. Al-Delaimy earned his medical degree and postgraduate diploma before completing a PhD in epidemiology in New Zealand. His academic journey includes roles as a research fellow and associate at the Harvard School of Public Health, and as a scientist with the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Since joining UC San Diego in 2004, he has served as assistant, associate, and full professor, and currently leads the public mental health concentration within UC San Diego’s Master of Public Health program.
“PRIM&R is honored to recognize Dr. Al-Delaimy for his contributions to the research ethics and oversight community. His dedication to equity, integrity, and global health continues to inspire and elevate the field,” said PRIM&R Executive Director Ivy R. Tillman, EdD, CIP.
At UC San Diego, Dr. Al-Delaimy is also recognized in ethics and received the university’s 2024 Integrity Award. Dr. Al-Delaimy’s work emphasizes inclusive engagement with Indigenous populations, refugees, immigrants, and communities in low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Al-Delaimy is a global leader in environmental health and climate change; he currently directs two major programs funded by the NIH Fogarty International Center.
Courtesy Photo, click here Caption: Wael Al-Delaimy, MD, PhD (center) received the 2025 PRIM&R Service Award in a presentation with PRIM&R Executive Director Ivy R. Tillman, EdD, CIP (right) and PRIM&R Board Chair Gianna McMillan, MA, D. Bioethics (left). The presentation took place at PRIM&R’s annual conference in Baltimore.
