Professor Ntobeko Ntusi is the President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). He is also appointed as Professor of Medicine at the University of Cape Town. He is a distinguished and highly respected figure in the medical community as a key global opinion leader. His lifelong passion for evidence-based healthcare, noncommunicable disease multimorbidity, and universal health coverage has positioned him as a trailblazer in medical research.
Prof. Ntusi is committed to advancing medical research and innovation; and is passionate about improving healthcare outcomes aligned with the SAMRC's mandate to advance the nation’s health and quality of life. His leadership spans various national, regional, and international platforms, where he has played pivotal roles in shaping academic agendas, postgraduate medical education standards, and advancing key national strategic priorities. His commitment to mentoring young professionals and supervising postgraduate students underscores his passion for nurturing the next generation of medical leaders, instilling hope for the future of medical leadership.
He is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa, and has fellowships from The World Academy of Science, the Royal Society of South Africa, the Royal College of Physicians, and the University of Cape Town College of Fellows. Prof. Ntusi obtained a BSc(Hons) degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Haverford College, USA, and an MBChB degree from the University of Cape Town. He is a qualified physician and cardiologist, and holds numerous additional qualifications, including a DPhil in Cardiovascular Medicine from the University of Oxford, St. Cross College, and an MD in Cardiology from the University of Cape Town.
Prof. Ntusi provides key scientific leadership globally through boards and scientific advisory committees of numerous organisations he serves on.