Prof Himla Soodyall

Professor Himla Soodyall is currently the Executive Officer of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). An ASSAf Member since 2003, she was elected to the ASSAf Council in 2011 and appointed General Secretary in 2014. Within ASSAf she has been active in drafting of several strategies and promotion of activities for young scientists, women in science, the elderly and people with disabilities.

As a Research Professor in Human Genetics at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and was Principal Medical Scientist at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) previously, her team conducted groundbreaking genetic research into the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa in which her studies have identified some of the oldest DNA found in living people today, adding weight to the theory that modern humans evolved in the area now known as southern Africa. 

She has been the recipient of many accolades and awards including the National Order of Mapungubwe: Bronze, by President Mbeki (September, 2005) for contribution to science, and in 2017, she was rated as one of the top-ten most visible scientists in South Africa in a study by the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) at Stellenbosch University (SU). In 2023 she was elected as an international Member to the National Academies of Sciences, USA.

Soodyall is a profiled ambassador for science in South Africa and internationally, with experience in research and a knowledge of governance and public administration, as well as engagement at all levels of community in Africa and abroad.