The internationally renowned infectious disease specialist Prof Jean B Nachega has been appointed Full Professor of Infectious Diseases and part-time Director of the Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).

Nachega previously served as the founding director of the Faculty’s Centre for Infectious Diseases from 2008 to 2018. He also holds tenured and adjunct appointments as Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh and Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology and International Health at Johns Hopkins University in the United States (US).

“I am deeply honoured to return to Stellenbosch University in this new leadership role,” says Nachega. “My mission is to help define and implement a strategic vision for the BMRI that promotes world-class interdisciplinary research, strengthens capacity- building and enhances the institute’s visibility and impact globally.”

As Director, Nachega will focus on strategic leadership rather than day-to-day management. His role will centre on shaping the BMRI’s long-term vision, promoting collaboration across disciplines and building partnerships that expand the institute’s scientific and societal impact.

His key priorities include:

• Defining and articulating the BMRI’s vision, mission and research priorities;
• Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and research units;
• Building strategic partnerships with governments, universities and global funders;
• Enhancing capacity development through mentorship and advanced training programmes; and
• Serving as a global ambassador to raise the BMRI’s profile and attract new collaborations and investment.

Nachega emphasises that his leadership will prioritise translational biomedical research – bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries, clinical practice and population health.

“Building a world-class institute to tackle local and global health challenges requires cross-cutting collaboration,” he explains. “My goal is to expand the BMRI’s reach, integrating research across infectious and non-communicable diseases, mental health, climate-sensitive conditions and pandemic preparedness.”

He adds: “I’ve spent the last two decades ensuring that science benefits patients and communities. The BMRI will be a catalyst for that transformation – from bench to bedside to society.”

A cornerstone of Nachega’s agenda is developing research capacity and leadership among emerging African scientists. Drawing on his extensive experience as a mentor and principal investigator on research or training programmes funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Wellcome Trust, European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and others, he aims to build sustainable training pipelines that foster excellence across the continent.

“We will build on the BMRI’s strong foundation of training and mentorship to expand and reach a critical mass of scientific excellence,” he notes. “Our goal is to further invest in young talent through structured mentorship, advanced research training and leadership opportunities – nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders who will drive Africa’s and the global health research agenda.”

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nachega’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to advancing global health through research, training and service. He earned his MD from the University of Louvain (Belgium) in 1989, followed by specialisation in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases in 1997.

He completed a Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in 1999 and subsequently obtained a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in 2000.

He went on to earn a PhD in Clinical Pharmacology from the University of Cape Town in 2008 and later completed postdoctoral research at Harvard University’s TH Chan School of Public Health (2009–2010) as a John McGoldrick Fellow.

Nachega has since led multiple multinational research and training initiatives across Africa, including the Southern Africa Consortium for Research Excellence (SACORE) and the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI). His programmes have collectively mobilised over R200 million in funding, produced hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and trained dozens of PhD and postdoctoral fellows.

His scientific leadership across Africa and beyond has earned him election to three prestigious academies: the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf, 2008), the African Academy of Sciences (AAS, 2012) and, most recently, the Académie Congolaise des Sciences (ACCOS, 2025). 

A prolific researcher, he has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed papers in leading journals such as The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Nature Medicine and Annals of Internal Medicine. He also serves as an ad hoc expert to the World Health Organisation, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Nachega envisions the BMRI as a national and international hub of excellence that advances cutting-edge biomedical science while addressing Africa’s most pressing health priorities.

“The BMRI’s evolution offers an opportunity to align world-class science with public health impact,” he says. “I am honoured to contribute to this exciting new chapter for Stellenbosch University and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.”