Professor Himla Soodyall is the Executive Officer of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). An ASSAf member since 2003, she was elected to the ASSAf Council in 2011 and appointed general secretary in 2014.

Prior to joining ASSAf on 1st November 2018, she was employed as a Principal Medical Scientist in the Division of Human Genetics at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) and University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

Her research focusses on using molecular genetic tools to reconstruct the evolutionary history and affinities of sub-Saharan African populations. She has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including the Order of Mapungubwe (Bronze Medal), by President Mbeki in 2005.