ZNF ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Akintunde Odesilo, BSc, MSc – Akintunde obtained bachelor’s and Masters degrees in Computer Science from the University of Newcastle, UK. He is highly skilled in web design and communication. In his free time, he escapes reality by taking on portrait and fashion photography projects, playing basketball and learning new skills.
Role: Facilitate the Foundation’s communication, educational outreach and scholarship initiatives.
Dr. Bilqis Williams, MBBS, MPH – Bilqis got a bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from Boston University, USA. She has engaged in various public health initiatives, community services, and diversity, equity and inclusion, and has gotten several recognitions and media attention for her efforts. She now serves as the National Addiction Programs Coordinator for Indigenous/ First Nations peoples in Canada.
Role: Provide mentorship to applicants in the ZNF and helps in the Foundation’s publicity.
Bosun Roy-Layinde, BEng – Bosun obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering with First Class Honours from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He is currently a Chemical Engineering PhD student at the University of Michigan, USA. His research focuses on Mesoscale heat conversion for thermophotovoltaic applications. After his PhD, Bosun plans to further this research in an industry setting.
Role: Advice the Foundation on sustainability plans and strategies, including on the seminar series and the scholarship initiatives. Lead the application document reviews and feedback tasks.
Dr. Calistus Okechukwu, MBBS – Calistus obtained a bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria. He has completed his one year mandatory housemanship training for newly graduated medical doctors in Nigeria at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals, Ile Ife. He is an aspiring-physician scientist keen on exploring the genetic and molecular basis of diseases with a view to unravel potent therapeutic strategies. Outside professional engagements, he is a soccer enthusiast, loves traveling and is a member of the Wiseup Initiative–a non-government organization committed to increasing access to sexual and reproductive health information and services to Nigerians.
Role: Propose mentorship initiatives to the Foundation.
Charles Egede Ugwu, BMLS – Charles obtained a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science with First Class Honours from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria.He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Washington State University, USA. His career goal is to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve current treatment strategies against infectious diseases. He is the founder of Healthveli.com, an opportunity discovery platform for medical and health professionals. He is also a member of the Environmental Resilience Commission for Pullman City, Washington State, United States.
Role: Support the Foundation by proposing potential seminar topics, scholarship options, reviewing school/job/scholarship application documents, outreach and strategies for implementing the foundation’s initiatives.
Christian Dirisu, BEng – Christian obtained a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Nigeria. He is a Tech Enthusiast, a certified Google IT specialist, and has in the recent years worked as a Remote Web Designer and Data Researcher for Research students. In his spare time, he enjoys discussions around trends and breakthroughs in IT toward sustainability models for solving challenges in energy storage, carbon capture and renewable energy. He is a recipient of the prestigious Nigeria Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) scholarship with which he is currently pursuing his MSc in France.
Role: Lead the ZNF Communications Team. Facilitate the Foundation’s reach and online presence.
Joel Ogwo Okorie, BEng – Joel holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nigeria and has a Certificate of Innovation and Commercialization from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. He is Google Certified Mobile Web Developer and Data Scientist. Joel is an Innovator, entrepreneur, a STEM education advocate, and a lover of Mathematics. He believes that a combination of STEM education and entrepreneurial mindset will revolutionize our cities. He is the CEO of Eternife Technology Research Ltd – an education technology company and actively tutors kids on Mathematics and Physics.
Role: ZNS Coordinator – Secondary School to University Transition Phase. Structure the scholarship activities and selection criteria and also assists with the seminar series and outreach.
Mmemshima Sharon Attai – Mmemshima is an educator.
Role: Assist the foundation in seminars and its engagements with high school students.
Ngozi D. Akingbesote, BSc – Ngozi obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology with Distinction from the University of Virginia, USA. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Physiology at Yale School of Medicine. Her research interests cut across studying metabolic alterations, chemotherapy and immunotherapy for breast cancer. She serves as the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Nucleate New Haven and the Outreach Chair for Yale Biological and Biomedical Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Collective. Her plan is to transition to the Industry after her PhD and continue on biomedical discovery and preclinical research.
Role: Assist the foundation in planning, corporate outreach and also review application documents.
Dr. Nneka Mbah, BSc, Ph.D. – Nneka obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with First Class Honours from Covenant University, Nigeria. She thereafter received a PhD in Cancer Biology from the University of Toledo, USA, and completed her postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Michigan, USA. She is currently a Senior Scientist in a pharmaceutical company, Odyssey Therapeutics, USA.
Role: Advice the Foundation on sustainability plans and strategies, including on the seminar series and the implementation of scholarship initiatives.
Onyinyechi Onwuchekwa, Undergraduate – Onyinyechi is an undergraduate student at the University of Calabar, Nigeria, where she is studying Science Laboratory Technology. As part of her curriculum, she completed a 6-months Industrial Training at the prestigious National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which is the Nigerian equivalent to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Role: Personal Assistant to Dr. Nwosu. Track the Foundation’s major activity schedules, perform documentation tasks, serve in the communications team, schedule and track Dr. Nwosu’s appointments on ZNF matters.
Paula-Peace James-Okoro – Paula-Peace obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with First Class Honours and as the overall best graduating student, Class of 2020, from Covenant University, Nigeria. She is currently a PhD student of Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge under the Gates Scholarship. She is an aspiring medical research scientist keen on contributing to the development of biomedical infrastructure that could alleviate the burden of metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes and obesity) in Africa. Outside academics, she enjoys volunteering with community development programs to improve the lives of others through education and health campaigns.
Role: Lead the mentorship and support of Zeribe Nwosu Scholarship Awardees and support in previewing seminar materials.
Princess Ailele Asabor, BSc – Princess obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with First Class Honours from Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria. She completed the mandatory 1 year National Youth Service in the Department of Biochemistry, Coal City University, Enugu State, Nigeria, where she worked as a graduate assistant.
Role: Propose mentorship initiatives to the Foundation and support with planning seminar series.
Dr. Simeon Eche, Ph.D. – Simeon is a postdoctoral research fellow at Yale University, USA.
Role: Assist with application documents editing, planning of the foundation’s activities, scholarship process.
Dr. Ukpai Eze, BMLS, MSc, Ph.D. – Ukpai obtained a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. He got a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of West of England, UK, winning Thermofisher Prize for the best Medical Microbiology MSc project.. He later got a PhD in Molecular Biosciences and Environmental Toxicology from the University of Leeds, UK. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science at De Montfort University Leicester, UK. He has research interests in the effects of Foodborne and Environmental chemical contaminants on human health, food safety as well as antimicrobial resistance and stewardship. He is passionate about talent and capacity development as well as training and helping others on academic matters.
Role: Coordinator of the ZNS – Undergraduate and Postgraduate Phase. Oversee the ZNF mentorship initiatives, help to structure the seminar series and propose new initiatives and is the chief moderator of the ZNS Seminar Series.
Dr. Zeribe Nwosu, BMLS, MSc, Ph.D. – Zeribe obtained a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria, graduating the best student. He got a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences with Distinction from London Metropolitan University, UK, and a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology with summa cum laude from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. He is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan, USA, where he was a former Michigan Postdoctoral Pioneer Fellow, a recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Postdoctoral Fellow Award and currently an NIH K99 Awardee. His postdoctoral research focuses on understanding how pancreatic cancer feed to sustain their growth, how they interact with the surrounding cells, and potential ways to achieve treatment by starving the tumours of their preferred nutrients. He is also currently a Visiting Assistant Professor/incoming Assistant Professor at Cornell University, USA.
Role: Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Foundation.