Stellenbosch University immunologist Professor Clive Gray received the prestigious Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award for his groundbreaking research on maternal and child health, particularly in the context of HIV.
Western Cape, South Africa (09 July 2024) – Recognising and supporting the tireless efforts of dedicated researchers is crucial for progress. Today, we proudly celebrate a significant milestone in the scientific community: Stellenbosch University’s esteemed immunologist, Professor Clive Gray, was recently awarded the prestigious Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award.
This accolade highlights the profound impact of his research and the importance of advancing knowledge for societal benefit.
The Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award is bestowed upon scholars of the highest calibre who engage in cutting-edge, internationally significant research with profound implications. Accompanied by a R2.5-million grant, this award supports initiatives that push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute to teaching, research, and development in South Africa and beyond.
This year, the award celebrates Professor Gray’s remarkable contributions to understanding the human placenta and its critical role in maternal and child health.
“Professor Gray’s research has the potential to revolutionise our understanding of how the human placenta functions and, from that, uncover new pathways to improving mother-child health. We are excited to watch this story unfold, as we have witnessed the stories of previous Harry Oppenheimer Fellows change the game in fields from biochemistry and biology to engineering, history, and zoology to mention a few,” said Rebecca Oppenheimer, chair of the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT).
Professor Gray’s work is poised to shed light on crucial aspects of maternal and child health, particularly in the context of HIV. His research aims to uncover predictive markers of adverse birth events, such as premature birth and low birth weight, which can have lasting impacts on a child’s development. By exploring how diseases like HIV affect placental function and maternal health, Professor Gray’s findings could pave the way for new strategies to manage these risks and improve outcomes.
“Receiving this award is very meaningful,” said Professor Gray. “It’s recognition of the work that I and my research group have been doing over many years. That OMT acknowledges the importance of what we do is very gratifying and rewarding.”
Despite significant advancements in antiretroviral treatments for preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, challenges remain. Babies born to HIV-positive mothers often face health issues such as stunted growth, increased susceptibility to infections, and learning difficulties. Professor Gray’s research has revealed a critical condition known as maternal vascular malperfusion in these women, which is linked to poor placental blood vessel development and associated risks.
“Our work is niche, laboratory-based research using sophisticated techniques and tools. We need to know how diseases such HIV in pregnant women interferes with the growth of the placenta and how this, in turn, impacts adverse birth outcomes and disrupts maternal health. These adverse outcomes have a devastating effect on South African society, where impaired child and maternal health is linked with deprived early childhood development,” Professor Gray explained.
For the first time, Professor Gray’s research has established a connection between long-term antiretroviral treatment and premature births, identifying a specific molecule in the placenta responsible for poor blood vessel formation. This groundbreaking discovery will direct the focus of the awarded grant towards validating these findings and exploring their broader implications.
Another vital component of Professor Gray’s project is building South Africa’s scientific research capacity. By involving masters and doctoral students in his work, he aims to nurture the next generation of scientific leaders.
“I have over 25 years’ experience in training students in immunology and laboratory techniques. I will use this award to further train the next generation of scientific leaders, while building a greater capacity to improve mother and child health,” he shared.
The multidisciplinary nature of the project, involving collaborations with HIV clinicians, cardiologists, immunologists, virologists, and statisticians from Stellenbosch University, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Surrey, highlights the comprehensive approach needed to tackle these complex health issues.
Stellenbosch University’s leadership also expressed their pride in Professor Gray’s achievements. Professor Elmi Muller, dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, lauded his seminal research, noting its significant impact on HIV immunology and maternal health.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers emphasised the global importance of Gray’s work and its potential to transform public health.
“We are delighted to add Professor Gray to our Harry Oppenheimer Fellows, all of whom have contributed to the advancement of knowledge in South Africa and beyond. Research capacity development is central to the Trust’s commitment to supporting academic excellence,” Oppenheimer added.
This recognition is a powerful reminder of the incredible potential within our scientific community and the profound impact that supporting such work can have on society.
Congrats Prof!
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