Gender: Woman
Nationality: South African
Academy Affiliation: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Academy Country: South Africa
Field: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology. She has a strong interest and recognized leadership including in research strategy and management, innovation activities, internationalization programmes

NOMINATED FOR: Co-Chair Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC);
TERM: Candidate for re-election

DESCRIPTION OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE ACADEMY'S ACTIVITIES OR IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS:
Prof Burton has been a highly active and influential member of ASSAf for many years, contributing significantly to its core objectives and activities. Her engagement spans various facets of the Academy's work, showcasing her dedication to promoting scientific excellence and its societal impact in South Africa and beyond. She has served on the Council of ASSAf, the governing body responsible for setting the strategic direction and overseeing the Academy's activities, first as a member and then as a Vice-President and most recently, from November 2023 to October 2024, as interim President and Chair of Council. Prof Burton has actively participated in numerous ASSAf panels and committees, lending her expertise to various national scientific endeavors. She has contributed to ASSAf's consensus studies on critical national issues, bringing her scientific rigor and interdisciplinary perspective to the development of informed recommendations for policymakers. She has actively participated in and/or chaired ASSAf workshops and symposia on key scientific topics, fostering dialogue and collaboration among South African scientists. She has also held significant leadership positions in international scientific organizations, showcasing her recognized standing within the global scientific community. 

EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES IN AN IAP,NATIONAL ACADEMY OR OTHER SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BODY:
Prof Burton was the former president of the Royal Society of South Africa
She was a Council member and then a Vice-President of the Council of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and served as ASSAf’s interim President from November 2023 to October 2024. 
She sits on the IAP Board as a co-chair from a Low & Middle -Income Country.
She served as a member of the IAP COVID-19 Expert Panel during 2020.
Professor Burton is co-chairing the 2025 S20 Science Forum, the forum for science academies of the G20 countries, aligned with the G20 summit which is hosted by South Africa in 2025. She is also serving on a panel of experts for UNESCO's webinar series and workshops on "Safeguarding Scientific data in times of crisis".