??Two young-and-upcoming scientists in Stellenbosch 肆客足球's Department of Physiological Sciences, Dr Bali Sishi and Dr Shireen Mentor, are amongst the first group of 20 African scientists to participate in the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) mentoring program for early career physiologists.
The broad aim of this flagship mentoring program is to develop the next generation of young physiologists in Africa by providing them with professional guidance and career development opportunities.
Dr Sishi will be mentored by Prof. Dee Silverthorn, a pioneering physiology educator and past president of the American Physiology Society (APS), while Dr Mentor's mentor is Prof. Dr. Marian Jo?ls, emeritus professor in neurobiology in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the 肆客足球 of Groningen. Prof. Jo?ls is also past president of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies. From the African continent, both Dr Sishi and Dr Mentor are mentored by Prof. Lamis Kaddam from the Department of Physiology in the Faculty of Medicine at Al-Neelain 肆客足球, Sudan.
Drs Sishi and Mentor have also recently returned from the International Congress of the African Association of Physiological Sciences (AAPS) which took place in Ismailia, Egypt. At this congress Bali received the best poster prize for her poster presentation titled “Circulating micro-RNAs as predictive markers for Cardiotoxicity induced by Doxorubicin chemotherapy". She also had the opportunity to meet one of her mentors in-person and was gifted a newly revised version of Prof Silverthorn's world-wide best-selling human physiology textbook, Human Physiology: An integrated approach.
Mentor's presentation, titled “Exacerbating the neurovascular interface: Effects of HIV-1 viral proteins on blood-brain barrier integrity in vitro" was well received by delegates: “Moreover, the insights I have gained were both eye-opening and motivating," she adds, “from the transformative potential of microRNAs in treating disease and tissue injury to the urgent need for more research centres and facilities of this nature to drive meaningful scientific progress".
Overall, Mentor says the mentorship program has already shaped her academic journey as a woman in science: “My first meeting involved discussions on developing a comprehensive bio-sketch and outlining my personal and professional goals. This meeting provided valuable clarity and strategic direction, enabling me to reassess my trajectory as an early-career researcher and academic. It reinforced a structured approach to planning and executing both short- and long-term goals over the next three years, ensuring sustained progress in research, professional development, and academic contributions".
Mentor has had the privilege of being mentored by Professor David Fisher from the 肆客足球 of the Western Cape. Her mentorship has propelled her to national and international recognition, including the coveted Wyndham Award from the Physiology Society of Southern Africa, which enabled her participation in the 38th IUPS Congress in 2017, where she earned the IUPS Travel Award for her abstract. As a Fulbright Scholar alumna, she now embarks on a new chapter as newly appointed lecturer at SU: “I am eager to contribute to cutting-edge research, innovative teaching and academic mentorship. I hope to establish meaningful collaborations and make significant contributions to my field of expertise."
In March this year, Dr Sishi is celebrating 13 years in academia: “Although I am a mentee in this programme, I have myself mentored a number of students in my environment. I think just being in this space as an African female is inspiring for the younger generation – if I have done it, then they can too."
Dr Sishi says she has been privileged to be mentored by senior South African scientists such as the late Prof. Doug Rawlings and Prof. Jacques van Rooyen, but also Prof. Anna-Mart Engelbrecht, Prof. Ben Loos, Prof. Kathy Myburgh and Prof. Faadiel Essop. She is also actively involved in professional societies, such as the Physiology Society of South Africa (PSSA), the African Association of Physiological Sciences (AAPS), the Centre for Cardio-Metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA), and the South African Society for Cardiovascular Research (SASCAR).
“I have served as a secretary, treasurer, and a member of management and executive committees, all of which have been instrumental in my professional growth. These roles have provided valuable networking and mentorship opportunities while also contributing to the advancement of the profession in Africa," she adds.
For Mentor, she envisions herself as a well-established research and educator, actively contributing to the evolution of physiology in Africa: “In future, I'd love to mentor upcoming scientists, secure impactful research funding, and play a role in the design of new curriculum and shaping future health and education policies".
“Mentorship isn't just about guidance, it's about inspiration, collaboration, and legacy. Programs like these don't just shape careers; they shape the future of science itself," she concludes.
Both Sishi and Mentor have already submitted their abstracts for the 40th IUPS congress, to be held in partnership with Europhysiology later this year and are now working hard to secure the necessary funding to attend in person. This would provide another valuable opportunity to meet their mentors in person and expand their international networks.
On the photo's above: Dr Bali Sishi (left) and Dr Shireen Mentor (right).
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