Membership

The Network

ALBA represents a global diverse network of individual neuroscientists who are involved in research, education, communication and advocacy, and are committed to supporting and advocating for actions and policies that foster diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in brain sciences across the globe. We currently have 1890 individual members from 91 countries.

Become a member

Register as an ALBA Network member for free! As a member, you can

  • Help shape ALBA's priorities and goals
  • Drive initiatives as an ALBA Volunteer
  • Receive regular updates on ALBA activities and events
  • Have access to DEI skills and advocacy training workshops
  • Engage with the ALBA Team at the General Assembly
  • Elect the members of our Board of Directors
Join the Network

Search our membership database

Browse through the ALBA members to find a speaker for your next
conference, a mentor for guidance, an expert for a new project or to simply network.

Gender
Position
Country

Sahba
Besharati

Professor or equivalent position at University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
South Africa Website
OrcID
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Cognitive neuroscience
Developmental neuroscience
Analysis of behavior and cognition in humans
Electrophysiology (channels)
Other
I joined ALBA because :
To help create awareness about continued inequalities in the neurosciences, especially around implicit biases shaping our decision making processes. As a women and mother in science from an underrepresented background, I think it is important to share these lived and embodied experiences and be involved around the discourse instigate change.

Jacqueline
Bracher

Program manager/Administrator at University of Cape Town
South Africa Website
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Other
Strategic advancement of health and neuroscience research including; researcher development, research evaluation and impact reporting, research advocacy, partnerships
I joined ALBA because :
As a member of the Alba network steering committee, I am honored to be part of a like-minded community that seeks to strengthen and develop effective transformation and diversity initiatives.

Elias
Chipofya

Graduate student at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
South Africa Website
Gender : Man
Fields of research :
Cellular and molecular neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscience
Developmental neuroscience
Disorders of the nervous system
Neural/synaptic structure and function
Neuroendocrinology
Neurogeneration and repair
Neuropharmacology and neurochemistry
Neuroscience of aging
Biochemistry
Cell culture
In vivo monitoring
Molecular approaches
Pharmacology
Therapeutic techniques
I joined ALBA because :
-

Rachael
Dangarembizi

Professor or equivalent position at University of Cape Town
South Africa Website
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Cellular and molecular neuroscience
Analysis of behavior and cognition in non-human animal
Biochemistry
Cell culture
Data analysis and statistics
Histochemistry and tracing
Imaging (microscopy)
In vivo monitoring
Molecular approaches
Species : vertebrate
I joined ALBA because :
I have always wanted to belong to a network of neuroscientists from different backgrounds and to collaborate with other neuroscientists from all over the world to transform the field and build capacity.

Helishia Rene
Dirks

Graduate student at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s hospital
South Africa
OrcID
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Cognitive neuroscience
Analysis of behavior and cognition in humans
Electrophysiology (unit activity)
I joined ALBA because :
I am a young neuroscientist from Cape Town South Africa and as a women of colour, I wish to have a voice. I think ALBA is thias voice

Taskeen
Docrat

Research/Staff scientist at Cape Peninsula University of Technology
South Africa Website
OrcID
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Cellular and molecular neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscience
Neural/synaptic structure and function
Neuroendocrinology
Neurogeneration and repair
Neuropharmacology and neurochemistry
Neuroscience of aging
Biochemistry
Cell culture
Data analysis and statistics
Genetic models and techniques
Imaging (microscopy)
Molecular approaches
Pharmacology
Therapeutic techniques
I joined ALBA because :
I'm eager to contribute to advancing diversity in brain research. I see ALBA as a platform to drive innovation and progress in scientific endeavours. As a member, I look forward to collaborating with peers and leveraging our collective expertise to propel meaningful change in neuroscience.

Karen
Fitzgerald

Graduate student at University of Cape Town
South Africa
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Behavioral neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscience
Analysis of behavior and cognition in humans
Imaging (PET, fMRI, etc)
Therapeutic techniques
I joined ALBA because :
I believe that by joining ALBA, I may meet other neuroscientists in Africa doing research on contemplative practices unique to the continent, and establish collaborative research projects. I'm excited to join a mentoring community and enabling other women to become skilled neuroscientists on the continent.

Géraldine
Fontaine

Graduate student at University of Cape Town
South Africa Website
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Behavioral neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscience
Developmental neuroscience
Analysis of behavior and cognition in humans
Data analysis and statistics
Imaging (PET, fMRI, etc)
I joined ALBA because :
I attended a DEI workshop sponsored/organized by the ALMA Network at the SANS Symposium in July 2024. I was inspired by their mission to foster diversity and equity in research.

Mubeen
Goolam

Lab/Research director at University of Cape Town
South Africa Website
OrcID
Gender : Man
Fields of research :
Cellular and molecular neuroscience
Developmental neuroscience
Cell culture
Genetic models and techniques
Imaging (microscopy)
Molecular approaches
Species : vertebrate
I joined ALBA because :
Due to the long-term effects of Apartheid, black South Africans are severely underrepresented in almost all academic fields including neuroscience. I want to increase the visibility of my African brain organoid initiative by joining ALBA and shining a light on African neuroscience conducted in Africa by Africans.

Amadi
Ihunwo

Professor or equivalent position at University of the witwatersrand
South Africa Website
Gender : Man
Fields of research :
Evolutionary and comparative neuroscience
Neural/synaptic structure and function
Neurogeneration and repair
Histochemistry and tracing
Imaging (PET, fMRI, etc)
Species : vertebrate
I joined ALBA because :
ALBA has taken the Lead in issues of Diversity in Brain Sciences to which I can relate with from my own personal experiences and from interacting with other Neuroscientists globally. I will like to be an example of how to persist in diverse environments with diverse people and excel in Neuroscience research and career path irrespective of one’s gender, religion, nationality and otherwise. ALBA transcends the needs of individuals to Societies to nations and so I pledge to make the difference with ALBA

Maahir
Kauchali

Graduate student at University of Cape Town
South Africa Website
Gender : Man
Fields of research :
Cellular and molecular neuroscience
Disorders of the nervous system
Evolutionary and comparative neuroscience
Other
Neuroimmunology, neuroinfections
Analysis of behavior and cognition in non-human animal
Cell culture
Data analysis and statistics
Histochemistry and tracing
Imaging (microscopy)
In vivo monitoring
Molecular approaches
Species : vertebrate
I joined ALBA because :
I resonate with Albas mission statement to promote equity, diversity and inclusion in brain sciences. Belonging to an underprivileged ethnic historically I understand the frustration that marginalized groups face. I also want to decrease the gender pay gap and as a man it is my responsibility to use my privilege to do so.

Sagel Julia
Kundieko

Graduate student at University of Cape Town
South Africa
OrcID
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Cellular and molecular neuroscience
Bioinformatics/Neuroinformatics
Electrophysiology (channels)
I joined ALBA because :
I would like to join ALBA so that I can benefit from their program as I am a young black woman in Neuroscience, working in Africa.

Haley
Lewendal

Graduate student at Stellenbosch University
South Africa Website
OrcID
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Cellular and molecular neuroscience
Disorders of the nervous system
Biochemistry
Cell culture
Imaging (microscopy)
Molecular approaches
I joined ALBA because :
I’m joining Alba to connect with a diverse network of mentors and peers, and to access opportunities that will support my growth as a neuroscientist. As a woman of color entering the field through my master’s, I’m committed to building a strong foundation for a future PhD and beyond.

Johanné
Marais

Graduate student at University of the Witwatersrand
South Africa Website
OrcID
Gender : Genderfluid/genderqueer
Fields of research :
Cellular and molecular neuroscience
Excitable membranes and ion channels
History, teaching, public awareness, and societal
Neuroendocrinology
Neuropharmacology and neurochemistry
Other
Neuroimmunology, sleep neuroscience
Biochemistry
Electrophysiology (slow waves)
Molecular approaches
Other
EEG
I joined ALBA because :
Some of my favourite aspects of being a researcher is networking and building connections to share passion. I appreciate the approaches of ALBA with diversity, inclusion, justice and accessibility.

Zama
Msibi

Professor or equivalent position at University of KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Bioinformatics/Neuroinformatics
Cellular and molecular neuroscience
Disorders of the nervous system
Analysis of behavior and cognition in non-human animal
Biochemistry
Cell culture
Data analysis and statistics
Histochemistry and tracing
Imaging (microscopy)
Molecular approaches

Yanelisa
Pulani

Graduate student at University of Cape Town
South Africa
Gender : Woman
Fields of research :
Cellular and molecular neuroscience
Data analysis and statistics
Histochemistry and tracing
I joined ALBA because :
For growth. I believe a network like this has the potential to inspire many young scientists like me as we navigate the world Neuroscience.