Honorary Doctorate awarded to Professor Kelly Chibale

The conferment of the Honorary Doctorate recognises the exceptional contribution of Professor Kelly Chibale to the fields of Biotechnology, Biocomputational, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences.

His research stands out for its quality and impact in the development of medicines for infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and helminth infections.

Thanks to his outstanding ability to translate academic research into potential clinical drug candidates, his work has delivered tangible benefits to global health, improving therapeutic prospects for millions of people worldwide.

Profile

Professor Kelly Chibale is a Zambian chemist and academic internationally recognised for his contribution to the discovery of new medicines. He is Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Cape Town, where he founded and directs the Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), as well as the H3D Foundation NPC. In 2018, Fortune included him among the world’s 50 most influential leaders making the world a better place. His scientific work focuses on drug discovery and the development of models and tools aimed at improving treatments, particularly for people of African origin or ancestry.
He studied chemistry at the University of Zambia, graduating in 1987.

After an initial professional experience at Kafironda Explosives in Mufulira, he moved to the United Kingdom to continue his studies at the University of Cambridge, where he obtained his PhD under the supervision of Stuart Warren.

Impact of His Research

After completing his doctorate, Professor Kelly Chibale developed advanced expertise in the synthesis of complex molecules at international institutions such as the University of Liverpool and the Scripps Research Institute, working on optically active compounds and angiogenesis inhibitors, areas also relevant to cancer research.

Upon returning to Africa, he focused his work on medicinal chemistry with a strong emphasis on social impact, concentrating on diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and antibiotic-resistant infections. At the same time, he promoted training and international collaboration, helping to transform basic research into practical applications.

In 2010, he founded the H3D Centre, the first African centre dedicated to drug discovery, marking a major milestone in the scientific and healthcare development of the continent.

Honours and Awards

Professor Kelly Chibale has received numerous national and international awards and honours for his contribution to scientific research and drug discovery. These include major scientific distinctions such as the Gold Medal of the South African Medical Research Council (2016) and the Gold Medal of the South African Chemical Institute (2018), alongside prestigious academic distinctions and international research fellowships.

He has also been included in several global rankings, including the “100 Most Influential Africans” list by New African and the Power List by The Medicine Maker. He was elected among the 10 International Members of the United States National Academy of Medicine in 2024 and among the 30 International Members of the United States National Academy of Sciences in 2025.

Internationally, he has received important awards such as the Royal Society Africa Prize (2023) and became the first African Editor-in-Chief of a journal published by the American Chemical Society. More recently, he has been awarded significant research funding and honorary doctorates from European universities.

The ceremony will be held in English; no Italian translation will be provided.

How to Attend

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The ceremony will also be streamed live on the University’s You Tube channel