Boitumelo Semete – Makokotlela

Executive Cluster Manager at CSIR

Boitumelo Semete – Makokotlela is an executive cluster manager at CSIR and has recently been appointed as CEO of the South African Health Products Regulator to assume the role in January 2020. She has a PhD (Biochemistry) and holds an MSc in Management Finance and Investment. Within the technology innovation space, she managed a biotechnology incubator at The Innovation Hub Management Company. She was with McKinsey & Company for 2 years as a McKinsey Leadership Fellow. Prior to that, she worked at the CSIR as a senior researcher. She completed her postdoctoral research at the University of Nottingham and EPFL, Switzerland. She has published as a first author and co-author in scientific publications, review articles and book chapters. She sits on a number of advisory committees, which include the AiBST Scientific Advisory Board and the board of AfricaBio. She is also involved a number of thought leadership projects such as the African Union Strategy for Health Research, the East Africa Community Bioeconomy strategy development team and the WHO Expert Panel on scaling health Innovations in Africa.