the gem editorial June 2025

This has been a busy month. In addition to launching three new programs, I also navigated school holidays as a single parent, as my wife was in Portugal to strengthen her Portuguese—essential for her upcoming projects in Lusophone countries. As a result, the release of this edition of the gem came a bit later than usual. That said, it’s a great new issue, packed with timely developments and new grant awards, which are much needed in this era of shrinking global health funding.

The editorial image I chose is a sunrise over the African savannah that my son Rafael took while on holidays. For me, it symbolizes the rebirth of African global health. African scientists, healthcare professionals, and communities are incredibly resilient. We will not only adapt to the shifting landscape but will continue to lead with unwavering commitment to saving lives and improving health outcomes. In my acceptance speech for the African Scientific Leadership Prize of the EDCTP in Kigali, I quoted a powerful African proverb: “A stick on its own is fragile, but sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.” This speaks to the spirit of unity and collaboration that drives our scientific progress across the continent.

In this issue, you’ll find highlights of a new collaborative program with Germany’s GIZ to enhance genomic surveillance, updates on the use of AI to predict epidemics, and significant scientific publications on HIV drug resistance and HBV evolution. We also mark Youth Month in South Africa, celebrating reflections from our young scientists and the inspiring recognition of Maambele Khosa as one of Forbes’ Top 30 Under 30 Africans. She joins a distinguished list of artists, athletes, and entrepreneurs, and we cannot hide how proud we felt to see a scientist among them!

text: Tulio de Oliveira