We are delighted to congratulate Professor Clive Gray on being awarded the 2026 Royal Society Africa Prize. The Prize recognises scientists based in Africa making innovative contributions to science and capacity building on the continent, and Clive receives it for his pioneering research into how HIV affects maternal and child health, particularly the mechanisms behind poorer outcomes in infants who are HIV-exposed but never infected themselves.
Prof Gray is the Founder and Director of the Immunopaedia Foundation and head of the Reproductive Immunology Research Consortium in Africa (RIRCA) at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.
Read the Stellenbosch University feature: Royal Society Africa Prize celebrates SU professor’s contribution to science and capacity building
Clive’s work has spanned three decades, from his early research on immune restoration under antiretroviral therapy at Stanford University, to his current work at RIRCA on how HIV and its treatment shape the placenta, and in turn, birth outcomes.
Clive started Immunopaedia over 20 years ago, after winning the International Leadership Award from the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation. Back then, it was a way to teach paediatricians the immunology of HIV-related conditions through real clinical case studies. It has since become the official online learning platform for the IUIS and other institutions, and has always stayed true to Clive’s vision: free immunology education for anyone in the world.
Nature Africa recently profiled Clive following his Prize win, reflecting on the winding path that led him to immunology, the lessons from his toughest career moments, and his advice to young scientists: “Persistence. You never give up.”
Read the full Nature Africa feature: Persistence, humility and HIV: life lessons from immunology
Immunopaedia Ambassador Gabriela Zamora Herrera sat down with Prof Gray in Mexico to talk about how Immunopaedia began, his journey in immunology, and his advice for those just starting out. Watch below.
