South African Medical Research Council president and chief executive Professor Glenda Gray is stepping down to take up a full-time scientific role after a decade at the helm, with her future focus to be primarily on research into HIV vaccines and other areas of vaccinology.
The Mail & Guardian reports that Gray also served as chairperson of the research committee on Covid-19, bringing scientific evidence and experience to the Health Minister and the National Coronavirus Command Council.
In a statement, the council said that with her senior executive team, she had achieved “significant milestones, including five consecutive clean audits, transformative grant funding initiatives that have greatly improved support for young scientists, black African scientists and women, as well as the establishment of vital collaborations and partnerships that will advance scientific research”.
Board chairperson Johnny Mahlangu said he was grateful for Gray’s efforts in resource mobilisation, initiation and maintenance of collaborative research, and her commitment to confronting transformation in medical science.
“In her forthcoming full-time science role, Professor Gray will leverage her extensive experience …and focus will primarily be on research in HIV vaccines and other areas of vaccinology that address pressing health challenges on the continent.”
Gray studied medicine and paediatrics at Wits, where she remains a full professor of research at the School of Clinical Medicine.
As a National Research Foundation A1-rated scientist, she is world-renowned for her work on HIV vaccines and interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmissions.
She is also co-principal investigator of the National Institutes of Health-funded HIV Vaccine Trials Network and directs the programme in Africa.
In 2013, she was awarded South Africa’s highest honour, the Order of Mapungubwe.
Forbes named Gray one of Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women and TIME named her as one of the world’s 100 Most Influential people.
The council said it would now start the process of appointing a new president and chief executive for when her term concludes next year.
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