Fatima Abrahams is a Senior Programme Manager at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), where she joined in 2024. Her work spans research, programme management, and implementation across two major initiatives: the Brilliant Consortium, focused on clinical trials, and ALIGN (Advancing Country-Led Innovation Introduction through Government Engagement and Evidence), a multi-country consortium led by the Duke Global Health Innovation Center that works with national governments to strengthen health innovation introduction systems. She ensures regulatory compliance with international clinical trial standards and fosters collaborations with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and research organisations.

Fatima has over 15 years' experience in clinical research and programme management. Previous roles include Clinical Trials Unit Manager at the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation and Research Manager at the Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa. Her career has focused particularly on building infectious disease research capacity and vaccine development initiatives in Africa. She has a strong interest in addressing Africa's under-representation in global clinical research and developing sustainable vaccine manufacturing capabilities on the continent.

In her current role at SAMRC, she is responsible for managing program implementation, fostering collaborations with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and research organisations.