Prof Jennifer Geel is the head of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and former chair of the South African Ministerial Advisory Committee on Cancer Control and Prevention. 

She is passionate about improving the survival and quality of life of children with cancer in Africa. She spent two years in clinical research settings in Cape Town and London before specialising in paediatrics and subspecialising in paediatric oncology. 

She has a strong interest in stem cell transplantation and is the principal investigator of the SA National Hodgkin lymphoma group. Prof Geel is the secretary–general of the Africa division of the International Paediatric Oncology Society (SIOP) and former co-chair of the Education and Training Working Group of SIOP Global Health Network. 

Prof Geel is an executive committee member of the South African Children’s Cancer Study Group and a member of SASCeTS, the South African Stem Cell Transplant Society: each of these societies are responsible for bolstering research in paediatric care. Currently she is involved in research concerning retinoblastoma, germ cell tumours, neuroblastoma and Covid effects on referrals to specialist centres. 

She founded a non-profit organization, CARE (Cancer Awareness, Research and Education) for Kids with Cancer, to fund collaborative research in South Africa.