Science Is Our Super Power — Celebrating Women in STEM

Priscilla Kolibea Mante is a Ghanaian neuropharmacologist, researcher, and lecturer from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Her research work focuses on plant-based therapeutic options to manage drug-resistant epilepsy and the neglected tropical disease neurocysticercosis. Her work mostly includes exploring the anticonvulsant activity of the plant alkaloid cryptolepine and its solid-lipid nanoparticles in the management of neurocysticercosis-induced epilepsy.

Priscilla aims to identify a way to help cryptolepine permeate more efficiently into the central nervous system to reduce the risk of convulsion, assisting patients to manage their condition as effectively as possible. Aside from her studies of epilepsy, Mante has also worked toward new therapies to alleviate pain, anxiety, and depression.

In 2019, she was the only African recipient, and one of fifteen total, of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Rising Talent Award. She is also a recipient of the 2018 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa post-doctoral fellowship. Mante completed her secondary school education at the Wesley Girls Senior High School, Cape Coast, Ghana. She earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2013. Mante had her post-doctoral training at the University of Michigan Medical School in the USA, where she was a recipient of the University of Michigan STEM Seed Grant.

Mante is also known for her passion for education and leading women in science to further their careers.

“The world will make room for us. The more women push for senior roles, the harder it will be to ignore them.” — Dr. Mante, regarding the increasing presence of women in science.