New Genomics Graduates Emerge

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer’s University, Ede, has
produced its second set of M.Sc. graduates in Molecular Biology and Genomics, with applications in infectious
diseases. They were among the graduands at the Univerdity’s 9th convocation, held on 28th September, 2017. The
four students, in the course of their M.Sc. training, also had the opportunity to acquire more knowledge and exposure
at the Harvard University, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University and Walter Reed Army Institute, all in the
United States of America (USA).

The students all attested to the fact that studying in this kind of enriching and enlightening environment was an
experience that would live with them for the rest of their lives. The students also commended the ACEGID leadership
and staff for the quality of knowledge they had acquired as well as the conducive and stimulating environment of the
laboratories, which encouraged them to carry out cutting-edge, tractable research.

The graduate students, Miss Jessica Uwanibe, Mr. Oluniyi Paul, Mrs. Judith Oguzie and Miss Fehintola Ajogbasile,
have all decided to proceed immediately with their PhD programmes in order to fulfil the overall goal of the Centre to
be ‘pathogen hunters’. At the moment they are all undertaking research that utilise various genomic tools and
bioinformatics.

Here are some personal experiences as written by the students:


Jessica Uwanibe:
My Master’s programme in ACEGID was an interesting experience, from international exposure during the ACEGID
summer Training at Harvard University, to hands-on wet lab trainings and research projects. The rapport between lab
technicians and staff is heart-warming, making the Centre a home away from home. The quality of research has also
influenced my decision to stay back and pursue a PhD which I will recommend to anyone interested in this field of
research.

Paul Oluniyi:
My M.Sc. programme in ACEGID was a great experience for me! I was exposed to a new field of research that I
didn’t know much about and I had the opportunity to work under the supervision of a world-renowned scientist,
Professor Christian Happi. During the course of my programme, I had the opportunity to attend summer trainings at
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and Harvard University (USA) and this gave me the opportunity to meet,
learn and interact with scientists at the forefront of research in my field and acquire relevant and cutting-edge skills. I
also had the opportunity of serving as facilitator in Bioinformatics workshop in Cameroon and Senegal. All these,
together with a number of other trainings and the opportunity to be taught by world-class lecturers and faculty made
my Master’s programme a very enriching and enlightening experience for me. I had the opportunity to carry out
cutting-edge research in Computational Biology, using computational tools to understand the genetic diversity of
HIV-1 in Nigeria and West Africa, in a very conducive/mentally-stimulating environment with well-equipped
laboratory and supportive mentors and colleagues.


Judith Uche Oguzie:
The period of my M.Sc. degree study was simply amazing and has greatly impacted my life! I had access to world-
class laboratory facilities, a conducive and enabling environment and fantastic lecturers and researchers as mentors.
This is nothing short of a miracle, given the nature and challenges unique to our African environment. I was exposed

to high quality research and education right here at home (on African soil), that normally would have meant travelling
abroad and high school fees. Also, I had the privilege of attending various trainings, both within and outside the
country, including Harvard University and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard places I would have only imagined
in my dreams I had the opportunity of meeting and interacting with the best brains in the field of genomics of
infectious diseases. These trainings and exposure have completely empowered me and changed my life forever! Such
an experience I cannot quantify or explain in words. I am just so grateful for these opportunities.

Fehintola Ajogbasile:
There were many factors that brought me back to Redeemer’s University after my first degree in the same University.
Top on the list is the opportunity to study infectious diseases from a different perspective. Over the past two years, I
have had the opportunity to work with prominent researchers in the field of Molecular Biology and Genomics as well
as being directly supervised by Professor Christian Happi from whom I have learnt a lot. Also, I had the opportunity
of attending several trainings, both within and outside the country, such as in Harvard University, where I was able to
meet and discuss with “superstars” in my field of research. I value the opportunity to study in such a rich and diverse
environment and, to this end, I have decided to further my knowledge in genomics of various infectious diseases by
enrolling for a PhD programme in Molecular Biology and Genomics at ACEGID, in Redeemer’s University.

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