Meet Professor Glenda Gray

Professor Glenda Gray is one of South Africa’s most influential medical scientists and a pioneering advocate for public health. A paediatrician by training and an internationally renowned HIV researcher, she has spent much of her career at the forefront of medical research, health equity, and social justice in healthcare. She was born in South Africa in 1962, Gray graduated with an MBBCh from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and later specialized in paediatrics. Early in her career, she became deeply involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly as it affected women and children. In the 1990s, during a time when the South African government was mired in AIDS denialism, she emerged as one of the most outspoken voices advocating for access to antiretroviral treatment.

Glenda Gray co-founded the internationally respected Perinatal HIV Research Unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, where she led groundbreaking research into mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Her work contributed to the development of treatment protocols that drastically reduced HIV infections in newborns and influenced global health policy.

Leading The South African Medical Research Council
Glenda Gray she became the first female president and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) in 2012, where she continues to oversee research across a broad spectrum of health challenges, from HIV and tuberculosis to COVID-19. Under her leadership, the SAMRC has expanded its focus on non-communicable diseases, mental health, and health systems strengthening, while promoting rigorous scientific inquiry and innovation.

COVID-19 Response & Vaccine Trials
Gray also played a critical role in South Africa’s COVID-19 response, helping lead vaccine trials and pushing for science-based public health interventions. Her willingness to speak out, even when it placed her at odds with government narratives, has earned her both national respect and global recognition.

Awards and Global Recognition
Over the years, she has received numerous awards, including South Africa’s Order of Mapungubwe (Silver) for her outstanding contribution to science. She has also been listed among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people and Forbes Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women.

Professor Glenda Gray remains a committed champion for ethical research, evidence-based policy, and healthcare access for all, making her a powerful force in African and global health leadership.