Professor Priscilla Kolibea Mante of the Department of Pharmacology at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has been elected a Fellow of the International Science Council (ISC), the highest honour the Council can confer on an individual.
The Council announced its new Fellows on October 16, 2026, ahead of the Beijing Science Dialogue, recognising their contributions to advancing science as a global public good.
Drawn from nearly 30 countries, the new Fellows represent diverse disciplines, sectors and career stages. They join a global network of more than 200 Fellows working to strengthen scientific cooperation and the contribution of science to society.
Professor Mante is a Professor of Pharmacology whose research focuses on mental and neurological disorders, including epilepsy, depression, anxiety and neuroinflammation. Her work explores the therapeutic potential of African medicinal plants and the biological mechanisms underlying drug-resistant epilepsy.
Beyond her research, she has contributed to international science leadership and policy discussions. She served as Co-Chair of the Global Young Academy from 2022 to 2024 and Chair of the Ghana Young Academy from 2019 to 2022. She also serves on UNESCO’s Global Advisory Committee for Women and Girls in Science.
Welcoming the new cohort, the Chair of the ISC Fellowship Council, Salim Abdool Karim, highlighted the responsibilities that accompany the recognition.
“This year’s new ISC fellows are leading practitioners, policy-makers, protectors and promoters of science. In these times of unprecedented attacks on science, each of these ISC Fellows has been serving as society’s guardians of science. With this fellowship comes even greater responsibilities in being part of the global voice of science and promoting science as a global public good,” he said.
The Vice-Chair of the ISC Fellowship Council, Alik Ismail-Zadeh, said the Fellows’ experience would help strengthen public trust in science and cooperation across disciplines and countries.
“Scientific excellence, worldwide cooperation and science in the service of humanity characterize the new Fellows. Their experience and leadership can build trust between science, policy and society, and bridge disciplinary and geographical gaps. In the face of global difficulties, geopolitical tensions and threats to evidence-based decision making, their contribution is crucial: ISC Fellows can promote scientific independence, solidarity and shared responsibility to make research a force for peace, sustainability and the global public good,” he said.
The Council said Fellows would use their expertise, networks and leadership to advance international scientific collaboration, strengthen links between science and policy, and support the use of scientific knowledge in decision-making.
Established in June 2022, the ISC Fellowship recognises scientists, engineers and thought leaders who champion science in society. Fellows are nominated by ISC Members, existing Fellows, the Council’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and partner networks.
Professor Mante also promotes science communication and mentorship through WriteShop Ghana, an initiative she founded to strengthen writing and publication skills among students and researchers. She coordinates science engagement programmes including Brain Bee Ghana, 2-Minute Thesis and STEM Elevate.