Professor Aaron Lawson is a Professor of Anatomy on contract at the Department of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School.  He was educated at Prempeh College (1966-1973), the University of Ghana (1973-1979), and the University of Leicester (1981-1984). He holds an MB, ChB degree from the University of Ghana and a PhD degree in Anatomy from the University of Leicester, England.

He commenced his academic career as Lecturer in Anatomy in 1985 at the University of Ghana Medical School, becoming a Senior Lecturer in 1993, Associate Professor in 1999 and finally, Professor of Anatomy in 2000.  He also served as Honorary Research Associate at the University of Leicester, and Visiting Professor at Tulane Medical School and the University of Utah, both in the US.  Here, he taught Anatomy and carried out research.

His research interest is focused on the mechanisms of early development. Out of this, he has published many articles covering early development in numerous journals of international repute. His research has also attracted a number of grants from funding agencies, including EXPO-SEM, the Wellcome Trust, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, USAID, NIH-Fogarty, etc. In April 2003, he delivered an inaugural lecture at the University of Ghana titled ‘Mechanisms of Early Development: Insight into Birth Defects’.

Professor Lawson is an inspiration to students, having won the Best Teacher Award for the Basic Sciences on five consecutive occasions (2001-2005), the University of Ghana Best Teacher Award for the Sciences (2004), and the University of Ghana Distinguished Award for Meritorious Service (2013).

He has served as External Examiner in Anatomy for the School of Medical Sciences, KNUST; Examiner in Anatomy for West African College of Surgeons, and Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons; External Examiner for PhD thesis in Anatomy, University of Lagos College of Medicine, and External Assessor for promotion for the University of Ibadan.

He has held various administrative positions at the University of Ghana and these include Master of the Medical Students Hostel (1992-1994; 1996-1998), Head of the Department of Anatomy (2001-2005), Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School (2005-2007) and Provost of the College of Health Sciences (2007-2013). 

Following his retirement from the Medical School, he was appointed Coordinator of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) project, and between 2016 and 2018 he served as the Medical Centre’s First Interim CEO. He is currently the Director of Medical Training and Simulation at the Centre.

Professor Lawson is a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and an Honorary Fellow of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.  He is also the current Chairman of the Board of Governors of All Nations University in Koforidua and a Member of Council of the Accra College of Medicine.

He is happily married with three children and five grandchildren.