Dr Drennan holds PhD in Chemistry from Rhodes University, which was awarded for the investigation of pyrotechnic reactions. In simple language, he studied reactions that went bang! .In my career, I have practiced as an applied researcher in a public company, AECI, and in a science council, CSIR. Dr Drennan, have worked for a funding agency (National Research Foundation) where he managed THRIP, established the administration for the CoEs, SARChI, and the central grant administration. Dr Drennan also contributed to the governance of science. In March 2011 he joined The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) as Director for Research Development. His job entails leading, encouraging, and supporting research across the University. This is achieved by developing people, facilitating supportive networks, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. He prefers to be known as a research steward rather than a research manager. Dr Drennan won a Golden Quill award for research reporting and a DST-SARIMA award for distinguished contributions to the Research Management Profession. he is an alumnus of the CSIR academy for advanced leadership and a member of the Royal Society in South Africa. He has graduated cum laude on four occasions. He is passion is to encourage research with an impact in the fields of discovery, translation, and innovation.
