Dr Mubeen Goolam becomes first African Goldstein Science Policy Fellow

In a groundbreaking achievement for African representation in science, Dr Mubeen Goolam from the University of Cape Town (UCT) has been appointed as one of the three new Goldstein Science Policy Fellows by the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR).

Goolam, the principal investigator of the Stem Cell Modelling of Development and Disease Group in the Department of Human Biology and the Neuroscience Institute at UCT, is the first African to be appointed as a Goldstein Science Policy Fellow. Each of the appointed fellows has extensive interest in science policy and regulatory issues affecting stem cell science and will serve for three years beginning in June 2025.

Goolam has led talks and discussions centred around promoting diversity in stem cell and organoid research. He was invited to present at the International Network for Governmental Science Advice Summit, where he advocated for stem cell research in Africa. Goolam said: “Despite being the most genetically diverse population in the world, Africa is significantly underrepresented in stem cell research globally. Since joining UCT, it has been my goal to drive African stem cell research and promote diversity in this field. It is thus a great privilege for me to be awarded an ISSCR Lawrence Goldstein Science Policy Fellowship, which will enable me to drive advocacy and public policy in stem cell research in South Africa and the rest of the continent.

“It is critical that the incredible medical advancements that arise from stem cell research are accessible to all, and having inclusive policies around their development is a critical way to ensure this. By gaining experience in this field through this Fellowship, I hope to be the voice in the global south that can ensure equality in the public policies surrounding these emerging technologies,” he said.

“The Goldstein Fellows initiative offers an unmatched opportunity to be at the forefront of science policy and advocacy work that impacts the future of regenerative medicine,” said Sean Morrison, chairperson of the ISSCR Public Policy Committee. “We have three exceptional investigators joining our policy efforts, each of whom brings an important perspective and helps to expand advocacy education globally.”

The Goldstein Science Policy Fellowship, named after ISSCR member Lawrence Goldstein, is designed to train scientists to become stem cell policy advocates. Recipients gain hands-on experience in policy work, including participating in ISSCR advocacy outreach activities in their region of the world and working with the ISSCR Public Policy Committee on special projects, policy messaging, and communications. This is the third cohort of ISSCR Goldstein Science Policy Fellows.