Wits Faculty of Health Sciences Professors Sustain Global Recognition as Highly Cited Researchers
- FHS Communcations
Professors Frederick Raal and Shabir Madhi have been recognised as 2025 Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate, an accolade that honours scientists whose work has had a profound and wide-reaching impact on their fields. This distinction places them among the top 1% of globally referenced researchers, underscoring their influence on advancing knowledge and shaping health outcomes worldwide.
The recognition is based not only on citation metrics but also on expert evaluation of the depth and originality of their research—elements that numbers alone cannot capture.
Professor Frederick Raal’s research performance in 2025
Continuing his five-year streak as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher, Professor Frederick Raal maintained his position as a leading authority in cardiovascular medicine and clinical pharmacology. He is the Director of the Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism Research Unit, which the epidemiology and biochemical mechanisms underlying lipid and glucose metabolism disorders.
In 2025, Professor Raal actively contributed to scientific integrity by completing 13 peer reviews for top-tier journals, reflecting his commitment to advancing rigorous research standards. His scholarly output remains exceptional, with 437 publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, an H-index of 61, and a cumulative citation count of 26,842.
Professor Shabir Madhi’s research performance in 2025
Professor Shabir Madhi, who debuted on the Clarivate list in 2024, continued to exemplify remarkable research productivity in 2025. He is the dean of the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences and Director of the South African Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytical Research Unit (VIDA), among his other notable roles.
A global leader in infectious diseases and vaccinology, his work addresses some of the most pressing challenges in public health. This year, he completed 15 peer reviews, a testament to his standing as a trusted expert in evaluating high-quality research.
His scholarly influence is reflected in an H-index of 91, 786 publications, and an impressive 44,821 citations. In addition to his publication record, Professor Madhi secured 14 competitive research grants, enabling innovative projects that advance vaccine development and infectious disease prevention.
Policy impact through science
Beyond academia, both researchers have informed policy, as they were cited in policy documents, demonstrating the translational impact of their clinical practice on health systems. These achievements reinforce the pivotal role of scientific research in shaping global health strategies and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.