Health Sciences
How did you obtain your position? Dr Babalwa (Kobese) Jongihlati bit.ly/3grrNrR
Current position: Director of Vaccine Clinical Research and Development at Pfizer South Africa
Past three positions: Medical Director at Adcock Ingram Medical Advisor/ Manager at Sanofi-Aventis Medical Advisor at Adcock Ingram
Academic history: 2013 Master of Business Administration at Gordon Institute of Business Science 2006 Diploma in HIV Management at College of Medicine of South Africa 2002 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) at UCT
I’ve always had an interest in the research and development (R&D) of new medicines, dating back to high school. After completing my medical degree, I practiced as a Medical Officer. I particularly enjoyed and focused most of my clinical practice time in Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. I was introduced to the world of Clinical R&D during my time working as a Senior Medical Officer at Coronation Hospital. The maternal unit I was working in at the time was involved in an international clinical research study sponsored by one of the pharmaceutical companies and my curiosity about the research study led me to investigate and learn more about the R&D field and pharmaceuticals within healthcare. My passion about medicine development was reignited. I always knew I wanted to be involved in solving healthcare problems from a macro perspective. I intentionally and actively decided to follow my interest and passion; and focus on making my impact through the pharmaceutical industry, using my medical skills and expertise. I decided I would focus on Medical Affairs and R&D within the pharmaceutical industry. I started as a Research Investigator/ Physician at the Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit (RMPRU). This role offered me my first opportunity to contribute to solving healthcare problems whilst also being providing one-on-one patient care. After my experience at RMPRU, Adcock Ingram was looking for a Medical doctor with clinical research and HIV expertise to oversee their Medical Affairs and Clinical Research to support their HIV antiretrovirals (ARVs) development. I started at Adcock Ingram (local pharmaceutical company) but always wanted to play at the global stage and participate in global innovative research. I stayed three years at Adcock, and later returned as a Medical Director. When the opportunity came to join an international pharmaceutical company (Sanofi) and gain experience in a leading global innovative pharmaceutical space, I was ready in terms of R&D experience, local medical knowledge and R&D investigator expertise. My three years at Sanofi cemented my skills in global clinical trials oversight. My current role at Pfizer encompasses all of the above and my expertise in maternal and paediatric health, R&D and knowledge of the local and global pharmaceutical industry have contributed to my achievements to-date.
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