Professor Glenda Gray appointed for a second term at the SAMRC

Cape Town | Professor Glenda E. Gray has accepted a second term as President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) effective 1 April 2019. Professor Gray has, over the past five years, led the organisation to great strengths in scientific achievements, strong organisational governance and capacity development to build the next generation of scientists in Africa.

During her previous tenure as the first female President and CEO of the SAMRC, the organisation experienced five consecutive clean audits, transformed grant funding initiatives that significantly improved funding for young scientists, black African scientists and women; and established key collaborations and partnerships that will significantly progress scientific research.

“It is a great responsibility to lead an organisation that, in so many ways, embarks on scientific explorations that could change the lives of South Africans. I look forward to continuing this journey with the SAMRC,” said Professor Gray.

Selected as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, Professor Gray is a leading HIV researcher and Co-PI of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), a transnational collaboration for the development of HIV/AIDS prevention vaccines, which is currently leading two of the largest vaccine trials in sub-Saharan Africa. She is also an NRF A1 rated scientist who co-founded the renowned Perinatal HIV Research Unit based at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Gray has published 293 scientific articles in the field of HIV vaccines, adolescent reproductive health and the prevention of mother to child transmission among others.

Among her numerous accolades, Professor Gray  received South Africa’s highest honour - the Order of Mapungubwe - for her pioneering research in prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Other noteworthy awards, include the Nelson Mandela Health and Human Rights Award for significant contributions in the field of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.  She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (USA), the African Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Science of South Africa. Her qualifications include an MBBCH, FCPaeds (SA), DSc (honoris causa SFU), DSc (honoris causa SUN)

“We have no doubt that Professor Gray’s leadership will expand the SAMRC’s impact on science and health, her track record has proven that she is not only an outstanding scientist but a visionary whose intentions are always to advance people’s lives,” said SAMRC Board Chairperson Professor Mike Sathekge.