Media statement

The South African Medical Research Council (MRC) appoints Senior Research Manager – Dr Sandile EJ Williams

The South African Medical Research Council (MRC) has appointed Dr Sandile EJ Williams as a Senior Research Manager. Dr Williams worked as a Senior Scientist for a Biotechnology company, Lectus Therapeutics Ltd in Cambridge, United Kingdom for 2 years, where he gained expert knowledge in drug discovery and development as well as management experience.

Before that Dr Williams worked for the University of Cardiff as a Research Associate in the School of Biosciences for three years. It is here that he gained his research management experience on a large scale. He achieved his PhD in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Leeds in 2004. Research work for his thesis was published in the highly acclaimed Science Journal.

Dr Williams completed his under and post graduate degrees at the University of the Western Cape in 2000 where he received a Commonwealth Scholarship to study towards his PhD at the University of Leeds.

He was awarded a Foundation for Research Development Bursary in 1998, in 1999 he was awarded a merit award for an A aggregate in his 3rd year Biochemistry class, and in 2000 he received a National Research Foundation Equity Scholarship. Also in the year 2000, he was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship at Leeds University to complete his PhD. In 2004, he received a Leeds University Scholarship and in 2007 he received a Physiological Society Travel Award.
 
Upon his appointment at the MRC he said that he was well placed to assist scientists in realising their potential. He has expert knowledge on how to management labs, staff and the many difficulties scientists experience on a daily basis.  

“Having vast amounts of scientific research experience in the academic sector combined with industry experience. I will provide leadership, mentorship and direction to ensure the efficient delivery of high quality outputs by the team,” he said.

“Apart from my analytical, technical and scientific expertise; I am adaptable, flexible, innovative, creative and able to work in a multidisciplinary environment. I work very well with other people and I am also confident in my ability to work independently and always strive to bring innovative ways to facilitate progress in an efficient manner,” said Dr Williams.

Dr Williams will be managing the Research Administration and Management Portfolio of the MRC. He will also contribute to the strategic planning for the Research Directorate in alignment with the MRC’s goals, objectives and research priorities. He will be working with the grants committee, peer-reviewers and others as required to assess, deliver and manage funding schemes and initiatives as well as assist and provide administrative support in the evaluation process for MRC Research Units and he will be responsible to interact with National and International stakeholders and funding agencies on a broad range of health research disciplines.
        
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