Home | Neuroscience Institute

Our vision

Our vision is of an Africa where people achieve their full potential through brain health.

By addressing existing knowledge gaps and strengthening African research networks, we seek solutions to African challenges and work to ensure that African priorities are represented in global neuroscience.

Training and capacity development

We strive to build research capacity nationally and internationally, and grow the next generation of neuroscience researchers on both the clinical and basic neuroscience career tracks.

Master of Neuroscience Applications for 2027 close 30 Sept!!

We look forward to welcoming students from diverse academic disciplines for this Master's course, which prioritizes interdisciplinarity! INFO WEBINAR: Online - 10th Sept - 2pm

Advocacy and engagement

We follow a socially-responsive approach, using advocacy, engagement and outreach to extend our impact to and beyond the scientific community, to industry, government and society more broadly.

Doctoral research on 'baby brain sizes dependant on antenatal anaemia' featured in The Guardian

Some critical research to come out of a Neuroscience Institute student's doctorate finds that babies born to anaemic mothers have smaller brains, featured here in The Guardian.

Maternal anaemia may shape infant brain development

Recent PhD graduate from the UCT Neuroscience Institute, has led the first study using ultra-low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to demonstrate the association between antenatal maternal anaemia and altered infant brain structure.

A new chapter for African Brain Child

The launch of the South African Medical Research Council 'Discovery Neuroscience in Children: Advancing Understanding and Treatment of Acute Brain Conditions' research unit marks a significant new chapter for the African Brain Child group.

Xhosa Classes for all levels

learning to speak Xhosa in community.

12 March 2024 - 2 September 2027 Read more

Southern African Neuroscience Conference 2026 (ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS EXTENDED)

This year’s meeting is centred on the theme “Advancing Brain Health – From Molecules to Mind” reflecting our commitment to integrating discovery science with clinical insight, population health, innovation, and policy.

17 September 2026 - 19 September 2026 Read more

The Basics of the Commandline and High Performance Systems workshop

A 1-hour online workshop run every 2nd friday (9-10am) that will be useful for those using Neuroimaging software such as FreeSurfer and AFNI.

15 March 2024 - 27 August 2027 Read more