What is your educational background?
I am at the last lap of my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, with an interest in postgraduate degree in Molecular biology, Neurobiology, Biomedical sciences.
What is your current occupation?
Undergraduate Student.
What or who got you into STEM?
I became interested in studying STEM during my senior year of high school; my love for nature and the curiosity to investigate and carry out research is the biggest factor leading to my interest in STEM.
What is the biggest challenge/barrier you have faced as an African in STEM?
My biggest challenge as an African, most especially as a woman in STEM is peer, parental and societal attitudes towards STEM as many Africans see it as a complicated multi-faceted subject.
Also, the lack of equipment and materials to carry out rigorous research, very little breathing room to study courses that truly interest me (poor infrastructure).
How do you think your background/upbringing has been beneficial in your journey/career?
My upbringing has been beneficial to my career because I grew up to appreciate growth and health. I have lived in an environment where people had ignored their health due to the quest for survival, which in turn affected their state of health badly.
.
How do you think we can start to change the narrative surrounding African contributions
to global STEM research & careers?
- Research should be given the outermost attention.
- Researchers should be provided with a conducive environment and also be place on a good payroll.
- Fundamentals of research courses should be included in the curriculum for students at their early career stage.
- Africa’s governments must accept STEM as a major priority and invest in the education system for economic growth.
- Governments must include incentives for highly skilled professionals to remain in their home countries and prosper.
What advice would you like to give to young, aspiring Africans in STEM?
The aspiring students should make an effort to find and make good choices of mentors for themselves, and focus their efforts on projects that they have interest and potentials to do better.
People you associate with will have a significant impact on you, do not be easily influenced by social media and society.
Don’t underestimate yourself; set high goals and surround yourself with people who will challenge you intellectually.
They should surround themselves with Excellence and positive mindset individuals.
Do you have any projects you’re working on that you would like us to highlight?
Yes. I currently co-found a social media page (@beyond_gender). The aim and objectives are to educate and enlighten prospective scholars especially the female gender on scholarship and opportunity in both STEM and Non-STEM.
