Advancing African Research in Skin and Hair Health
Africa Research Initiative for Skin Health (ARISE), based at the University of Cape Town, is an African-led research initiative advancing inclusive, ethical, and globally competitive science, training, and industry collaboration in skin and hair health.
Transforming Skin & Hair Health in Africa
Led by Prof. Nala Khumalo and Prof. Ardeshir Bayat from the Division of Dermatology, ARISE combines traditional knowledge, scientific excellence, and innovation to position Africa at the forefront of globally relevant research and development.
Across the continent, millions of people rely on skin and hair products that are often poorly regulated, insufficiently tested, and not designed for populations of African ancestry. This contributes to a high burden of skin disease and hair loss. Further, Africa’s unique biodiversity remains underexplored in global skin and hair research.
ARISE was established to close this gap by positioning Africa as a leader in inclusive, safe and globally competitive skin and hair research. The initiative combines interdisciplinary research, advanced training, and industry engagement to transform how science and innovation serve diverse populations.
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Our Approach
We envision a world where Africa rises and innovation thrives, where advances in skin and hair health are driven by collaborative research, inclusive product development, and ethical industries that serve diverse populations.
To achieve this, ARISE focuses on three interconnected areas:
Interdisciplinary Research
Advancing diagnostics, treatments, and technologies that reflect the diversity of African skin and hair.
Capacity Building
Developing scientific and practitioner expertise through training, mentorship, and career pathways that expand opportunities beyond academia.
Industry & Community Engagement
Working with small and large enterprises, regulators, and communities to strengthen product safety, build trust, and foster sustainable innovation.
Leadership Team
ARISE is led by two world-leading experts in skin and hair health.
Chair in African Hair and Skin Health
Prof Nala Khumalo
Prof Nala Khumalo is a pioneer in African hair research, founder and director of the Hair and Skin Research Lab, the first basic science dermatology lab in South Africa.
She is the NRF SARChI Chair in Dermatology and Toxicology at the University of Cape Town, where her work has shaped international understanding of African hair and skin and drives ethical, evidence-based innovation.
Chair in Skin Repair and Regeneration
Prof Ardeshir Bayat
Prof Ardeshir Bayat is internationally renowned for his translational research which has advanced skin repair science, linking biomedical discovery to clinical and industry applications. He is the Principal Investigator and Director of the MRC Wound Healing Laboratory at the University of Cape Town. He is globally, the most highly cited author in keloid research; a priority African problem we aim solve.
Our Impact
Building a new generation of African scientists and entrepreneurs transforming research into real-world solutions through mentorship, training, and hands-on experience.
These stories reflect our commitment to fostering African-led science and empowering researchers to shape the future of health innovation.
Moleboheng Moipatli
From Internship to Honours Researcher
When Moleboheng Moipatli joined the UCT Hair and Skin Research Laboratory as a biotechnology intern, she had no idea the experience would shape the course of her scientific career.
Under the mentorship of Dr Afolake Arowolo, she worked on a project exploring the expression of human tyrosinase in a bacterial system and later trained in mammalian cell culture—experiences that deepened her research interest and strengthened her technical foundation.
Her commitment led to a position as a laboratory assistant, and later, acceptance into UCT’s Honours Programme in Medical Biochemistry, where she now continues her research under the supervision of Dr Luveni Sonka.
Moleboheng plans to pursue her Master’s degree in 2026, a reflection of how ARISE’s mentorship and opportunities are nurturing Africa’s next generation of scientific leaders.
