Another top international honour for Prof Kelly Chibale

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Professor Kelly Chibale is one of seven renowned scientists from around the world who have been awarded honorary fellowships from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). The fellowship is the society’s highest honour presented to one of its members.

The RSC works at the heart of the chemical sciences community to create a future that is “more open, more green, and more equal”. Known globally as an independent catalyst for change, the RSC connects people and ideas through global partnerships, conferences, events and networks.

A stellar group of fellows

The fellowship award is the latest in a string of esteemed international honours to be bestowed on Professor Chibale, who is the Neville Isdell Chair in African-centric Drug Discovery and Development and the founder and director of UCT’s Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre.

“This fellowship means a lot to me, partly because I was nominated by peers and partly because I am part of a stellar group of seven.”

The accolade recognises distinguished scientists whose research has made an extraordinary impact on scientific advancement, leaders of companies, or other enterprises that have been of significant benefit to the application of chemical science. To be considered, RSC members nominate their preferred candidates – making this fellowship an outstanding peer-to-peer recognition.

The list of honorary fellows is diverse due to scientists’ vast backgrounds, career paths and countries. This year it includes three Nobel Prize laureates (Professor Carolyn Bertozzi, Sir Demis Hassabis and Sir David MacMillan). The 2026 group is also the joint most-ever awarded in a single year – matching 2013, 2014 and 2017. The list is said to be one of the RSC’s most distinguished to date.

“This fellowship means a lot to me, partly because I was nominated by peers and partly because I am part of a stellar group of seven, that includes three Nobel Prize winners. This is truly an honour,” Chibale said.