AWARDS AND HONOURS 

Elected to the United States National Academy of Sciences (NAS) – April 2025

Professor Kelly Chibale has been elected as an international member of the United States National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honours in the global scientific community. He is one of only 30 international scientists elected in 2025, and among a small number from Africa ever to receive this recognition.

The NAS election acknowledges Professor Chibale’s distinguished and ongoing contributions to original research – particularly in pioneering African-led drug discovery for diseases that disproportionately affect the continent. His work continues to reshape the drug discovery landscape in Africa.

Professor Chibale described the honour as both recognition and responsibility, noting his commitment to advancing science policy, entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation. He sees science as a vehicle not only for knowledge but also for economic development and job creation across Africa.

This milestone follows his 2024 election to the US National Academy of Medicine, making him one of the elite African scientists recognised by both institutions.

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Elected as International Member of the United States National Academy of Sciences (2025)

In 2025, Professor Kelly Chibale was elected to the United States National Academy of Sciences (NAS) as one of 30 International Members. This is one of the highest honours a scientist can receive and recognises outstanding contributions to original scientific research.

This recognition reflects Kelly’s continued commitment to advancing global health through African-led drug discovery and innovation. It stands as a testament to the collective efforts of his team at H3D, his international collaborators and the support of philanthropic and institutional partners who share in the mission of transforming health outcomes through science.

🔗 https://www.nasonline.org/news/2025-nas-election/

Honorary Fellowship – Queens’ College, University of Cambridge 

 In December 2024, Kelly Chibale was elected and admitted as an Honorary Fellow of Queens’ College, University of Cambridge – his alma mater where he completed his PhD in Chemistry. This is the highest honour the College can bestow on an individual, reflecting their exceptional achievements and contributions.

As noted by the President of Queens’ College, Dr Mohamed A. El-Erian: “This is the highest honour that we, as a College, can bestow and reflects our admiration for you as a person and your wonderful achievements to date.”

Kelly’s Fellowship was officially conferred on 13 December 2024, a moment celebrated in write-ups by both Queens’ College and the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, where he pursued his doctoral studies.

Pictured: (top) Kelly with Dr Mohamed A. El-Erian, President of Queens’ College, (bottom) Kelly with fellow Honorary Fellows and the President of Queens’ College.

Named the first Editor-In-Chief (EIC) from Africa of an American Chemical Society (ACS) publication when appointed EIC of ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2023 | Read More ▸

Awarded Royal Society (UK) Africa Prize 2023 ‘For exceptional leadership and groundbreaking work in drug discovery for African endemic diseases’

Awarded Schmidt Sciences AI2050 Senior Fellowship 2023. The AI2050 Senior Fellowship supports established leaders who have made significant contributions to their field. Senior Fellows are highly accomplished individuals working on approaches for increasing the beneficial promise of AI. The breadth of their collective projects showcases the range of work that will be critical to answer the AI2050 motivating question.

Awarded Honorary Doctorate of the Faculty of Science, University of Basel (Switzerland), 2023, in ‘honor of exceptional and inspiring Curriculum vitae, outstanding academic achievements and continuous and ongoing support of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, an associate Institute of the University of Basel.

Named as one of the 25 standout voices in African public health by Harvard University’s Public Health magazine, 12 May 2022. | Read More ▸ 

Named as one of the 22 black biotech leaders in honour of Juneteenth in the USA, 17 June 2021. The list, published by the Timmerman Report, celebrates innovative black leaders who are change-makers in their respective fields. | Read More ▸

Named as one of the world’s top 60 most influential/ inspirational leaders in the pharmaceutical industry (one of the top 20 inspirational medicine makers in the field of small molecules) on The Medicine Maker's 2020 and 2021 Power Lists.

Named as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine for 2019 | Read More ▸

South African National Research Foundation (NRF) A-rating, 2018

Named as one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders for 2018  | Read More ▸

Awarded South African Chemical Institute (SACI) Gold Medal for 2018

Elected Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2018

Elected Fellow of the African Academy of Science (FAAS), 2018