Yanelisa Pulani is a dual-degree candidate currently completing her MBChB and pursuing her Masters in Neuroscience and Physiology at the University of Cape Town. She currently holds a Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Neuroscience and Physiology.

Driven by her personal encounters with neurological disorders within her family, she dedicates her work to exploring the factors that influence seizure susceptability in brain networks affected by neurocysticercosis. Through her research, Yanelisa aims to reveal novel insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of this parasitic infection, which significantly contributes to adult-onset epilepsy in developing countries.

As the founding chairperson of the African Research Society, she has been instrumental in fostering a culture of scientific inquiry and collaborative research among the student population. Her organization is progressively extending its reach across Africa, with a mission to connect students with the research world, and ultimately to cultivate a new generation of African researchers equipped to tackle the continent's unique challenges. Her vision is to bring about substantial healthcare improvements through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to achieving practical health outcomes for all Africans. With a profound passion for African-centric research and a firm belief in its potential to transform lives, Yanelisa is on a path to becoming a trailblazer in the realm of healthcare research.

Her daily quote is: Be the voice for what you stand for, because if you choose silence, others might follow your lead and important issues will be left unspoken and unaddressed.