Professor Heather Zar, a global expert in childhood respiratory diseases, has built a strong clinical translational research program focused on key childhood illnesses in Africa and globally, including pneumonia, RSV and developmental origins of health. A national A-1 rated scientist, she has >650 publications and has participated in several trials of new RSV preventive interventions for infants. She is past-President of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies, of the Pan African Thoracic Society, of the SA  Thoracic Society and an advisor to WHO, UNICEF, GAVI and the Gates Foundation. She’s received the World Lung Health award, the L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Laureate for Africa and Arabia, the European Respiratory Society Lifetime Achievement Award, the SA-MRC Platinum medal for contributions over a lifetime and the Barney Graham award for contributions on RSV. She is passionate about reducing global health inequities and ensuring access to excellent care for all children.