User Profile

Tumi is the CEO of the South African Health Products Regulator. She has a Ph.D. (Biochemistry) and an Master Degree in Finance and Investments. Dr Semete’s research career was largely in the area of nanotechnology drug delivery systems for anti-TD drugs. 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 scientific advisory committees and Board of Directors. 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 WHO Expert Panel on scaling health Innovations in Africa. Within the technology innovation space, she was the Executive Director at CSIR Biosciences and prior to that she managed a biotechnology incubator at The Innovation Hub Management Company where she supported the translation of R&D into commercialized products. She was with McKinsey & Company for 2 years as a McKinsey Leadership Fellow and was also member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee at the National Department of Health. Recently, she has been the recipient of the NSTF science management award and the CMMI excellence in Health Award. She is also a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative, SA