Priscilla Kolibea Mante

Faculty Biography

Prof. Priscilla Kolibea Mante is a Professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Pharmacology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Research Faculty at the Center for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain–Africa (CARISCA). A leading African neuroscientist, she has developed an extensive research portfolio on the neurobiology and pharmacotherapy of mental and neurological disorders, particularly epilepsy, depression, anxiety, and neuroinflammation. Her work explores the therapeutic potential of African medicinal plants and the molecular mechanisms underlying drug-resistant epilepsy, integrating metabolomics, gut–brain axis research, and neuroinflammatory biomarkers. She holds a PhD (Pharmacology), B.Pharm (Hons) from KNUST and is a Fellow (Mental and Behavioural Health subspecialty) of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists.She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications that contribute vital insights into novel therapeutic pathways for central nervous system disorders. Her research leadership spans several high-impact projects, including the GIZ PharmaVax SirraScale Project on scalable phytomedicine manufacturing, the ECOWAS PARI DIABETOX Projecton toxicological and antidiabetic properties of medicinal plants, the USAID BRIDGE-Train Project on strengthening pharmaceutical supply chain systems and OWSD Early Career Award. She has supervised and mentored numerous PhD, MPhil, and undergraduate students in pharmacology and neuroscience. She serves as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Ghana Pharmaceutical Journal, Associate Editor of the African Brain Journal, and Review Editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology (Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery). She also reviews for leading journals such as Scientific Reports and BMC Neurology.Prof. Mante has served as an Expert Advisor to the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence and as an expert representative of the network of institutions affiliated with the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, contributing to global frameworks on strengthening science systems, ethical AI, equitable innovation, and responsible research. She also serves on UNESCO’s Global Advisory Committee for Women and Girls in Science as well as Springer Nature’s Africa Advisory Council, advancing gender equity and research integrity.She is an active member of several professional societies, including the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN), Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA), Ghana Neuroscience Society (GNS), Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH). She is the current Chair (2023–present) of the Academic, Social and Research Pharmacists’ Association of Ghana and a member of the Governing Board of the PSGH.Prof. Mante previously served as Co-Chair (LMIC) of the Global Young Academy (2022–2024) and Chair of the Ghana Young Academy (2019-2022), advancing the inclusion of young scientists in global policy and research dialogues. She serrved on the World Science Forum Steering Committee and served as an ex-officio member of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) Global Council for Science Education Programme. She currently sits on the Steering Committee of the Africa Science Leadership Programme and is a member of the InterAcademy Partnership IAP Communication, Education and Outreach Committee.An accomplished communicator, Prof. Mante has been a speaker and panelist at major international events, including the World Science Forum, the UN General Assembly Science Summit, the STS Forum (Japan), and Science Forum South Africa. In addition to her research and policy work, Prof. Mante founded WriteShop Ghana, a national science communication initiative that builds writing and publication skills among students and researchers. She coordinates national science engagement programmes including Brain Bee Ghana, 2-Minute Thesis, and STEM Elevate, all aimed at inspiring scientific literacy, mentorship, and innovation among young Ghanaians.