News

  💡 Interviewing for Success: Key Lessons from SFD’s December Webinar

On Saturday, December 7th, STEM for Development (SFD) hosted a webinar titled STEM Graduate Applications: Interviewing for Success. With approximately 500 registrants from 26 countries, the event featured expert insights from Ms. Stephanie Adama, a PhD student in Translational Cancer Biology at Indiana University Bloomington and Co-Head of the Mentorship Program, and Ms. Oluwadamilola Salau, a PhD candidate in Geography at The Ohio State University and Head of the Intramural Program.

What did participants learn?
💡 Understand the Interview’s Purpose: Graduate school interviews are primarily about assessing fit - by this point, it is likely that you have the qualifications to succeed. As the speakers explained, interviewers are looking for candidates who can articulate their goals, think critically, and engage thoughtfully in a conversation about their work.

💡 Prepare for All Types of Interviewers: Whether facing a “Passive Interviewer” who expects you to lead the conversation or an “Active Interviewer” who challenges your ideas, preparation is key. Tailor your responses and questions to the interviewer's style to make a lasting impression.

💡 Polish Your Self-Presentation: Punctuality, professionalism, and attention to detail make a difference. Arrive early, dress appropriately, ensure a distraction-free environment, and maintain eye contact to convey confidence and respect.

💡 Ask Thoughtful Questions: The presenters encouraged attendees to prepare meaningful questions for interviewers, such as, “What are the expectations for graduate students in your lab?” or “Where do you see the laboratory going in five years?” This demonstrates genuine interest and helps you evaluate the program’s fit with your goals and interests.

💡 Send a Follow-up Email: A personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of the interview is essential. It shows professionalism and keeps you top of mind. Tailor the email to reflect on specific points discussed during the interview.

Attendees praised the webinar for its actionable advice. As john Acquah-Mensah, a Biochemistry student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, shared: “I learned the importance of following up with a thank-you email and asking insightful questions during the interview.”

STEM for Development continues to empower students with practical tools to succeed in STEM graduate applications. Learn more about SFD and how you can support our efforts:
🔑 Become a member today: t.ly/E9r5
📸 Follow us on Instagram: t.ly/ee_v-
📘 Like our page on Facebook: t.ly/oKi4Q
💼 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g4rd6jJF   

 This month, STEM for Development (SFD) celebrates Edem Kwame Bokoe, a Biomedical Sciences PhD student at Augusta University, US. Edem’s academic journey began with an interest in pharmacy, influenced by relatives in the field. However, his fascination with molecular processes led him to biochemistry, culminating in a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology at the University of Ghana.

As an undergraduate, Edem interned twice at the West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP). His passion for drug discovery grew through work at the Chemical Systems Biology Laboratory, where he investigated how supplements affect the production of secondary metabolites in fungi. This research aimed to discover novel antimicrobial compounds to address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. After graduation, Edem became a Research Assistant in the same lab, deepening his exploration of natural products as therapeutic agents. Presenting his work at conferences, including the Falling Walls Lab event, strengthened his research skills and drive for graduate studies.

Edem turned to SFD’s mentorship program for support in navigating graduate applications. Under mentor Isaiah Osei Duah Junior’s guidance, Edem received tailored feedback on his personal statement, refining his narrative and presenting a compelling case for admission. This mentorship was pivotal in securing acceptances to multiple PhD programs.

Now at Augusta University, Edem researches anticancer drug discovery in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His story underscores the value of mentorship, persistence, and careful preparation in academic success. Edem’s advice: seek feedback, break the application process into manageable steps, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. His journey demonstrates how support and determination can transform aspirations into reality.

-----
Learn more about STEM for Development and how you can support our efforts:
🔑 Become a member today: https://t.ly/E9r5
📸 Follow us on Instagram: t.ly/ee_v-
📘 Like our page on Facebook: t.ly/oKi4Q
💼 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g4rd6jJF  

 🌟 Welcome to the Team, Rocío R.! 🌟

STEM for Development is thrilled to announce that Rocío R. has joined our team as a Regional Partnerships Associate! She will focus on expanding opportunities and supporting students across Latin America.

Rocío brings a wealth of expertise as a Bioinformatics Engineer and a recent graduate of Universidad de Talca, Chile. Currently working as a Data Analyst at the same institution, she specializes in analyzing high-throughput genomic data to uncover insights into Latin American diversity. Her passion for science communication, global collaboration, and research is complemented by her dedication to promoting STEM education for young people. We are excited to work together to advance our mission!

Learn more about STEM for Development and how you can support our efforts:
🔑 Become a member today: https://t.ly/E9r5
📸 Follow us on Instagram: t.ly/ee_v-
📘 Like our page on Facebook: t.ly/oKi4Q
💼 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gGKjfsY6 

 🌟 Volunteer Opportunity: Education Program Associate - Mentorship Team 🌟

STEM for Development, a global non-profit dedicated to advancing STEM education in the Global South, is seeking an Education Program Associate to support our mentorship program, which serves 200+ students annually.

In this role, you will:
🔹 Communicate mentorship opportunities to mentees and mentors.
🔹 Organize program logistics, schedule training sessions, and analyze program data.
🔹 Present webinar content and support graduate school application resources.
🔹 Collaborate with the mentorship team in meetings and events.

We’re looking for candidates with:
🔺 A Bachelor’s degree in progress or higher in a STEM field.
🔺 Strong organizational and data analysis skills (e.g., Microsoft Office).
🔺 Excellent communication and time management skills.
🔺 A collaborative mindset in a diverse team environment.

As a volunteer, you will make a global impact, build professional skills, and join a goal-oriented team committed to empowering future STEM leaders.

🕒 Time commitment: 1-3 hours per week, with flexible scheduling.
📅 Apply by: December 22, 2024, 11:59 PM GMT. Submit your CV and a 300-word statement of interest.
🔗 Application link: t.ly/FsCOS
📧 For inquiries, contact: info@stemfordevelopment.org

Help us make a global impact in STEM education! Please share this opportunity with your network. 🌍🔬     

  ✨ Two Years of STEM for Development ✨

Today marks the second anniversary of STEM for Development. What started as a small initiative has grown into a community dedicated to supporting students in the Global South on their paths to higher education and research opportunities.

Together, we have achieved:
🌍 A network of 6,500 student members from 94 countries
🎓 Support for 100+ mentees admitted to graduate programs
💡 40 webinars, including 23 biweekly office hours sessions
👩‍💻👨‍💻 Engaged with 15,000+ webinar attendees
🙌 The efforts of ~30 incredible volunteers who make this possible

These milestones are a reflection of the shared dedication and generosity of our team, students, and supporters. Thank you for walking this journey with us!
As we look ahead, we remain committed to breaking down barriers to education and providing more students with the tools they need to succeed. Here’s to continuing this work—together.

---
Interested in our next event?

Sign up for membership: t.ly/E9r5
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/eRPNJ9J9
Facebook: https://lnkd.in/eqTEMRUh
Instagram: https://lnkd.in/eweTQtsC    

 ❓How can you make your hashtag#STEM graduate application stand out?

This weekend, nearly 500 students from 29 different countries signed up for STEM for Development's faculty panel, featuring Dr. Becky Mansfield (The Ohio State University), Ms. Amanda Mendez (Stevens Institute of Technology), and Dr. Chaowei Phil Yang (George Mason University). What did they have to say?

💡Craft a Powerful Statement of Purpose (SOP): All three panelists emphasized that the SOP is more than a formality; it is your narrative. The panelists highlighted the importance of balancing specificity and flexibility. Be clear about your research interests but open to new opportunities. Reflect deeply on past experiences and future goals to articulate a coherent, compelling story.

💡Align with Faculty Interests: Successful applications often hinge on demonstrating alignment with a program’s research focus. Panelists stressed the importance of thoroughly researching potential advisors and their current projects. “Make the connection clear,” one panelist noted, “and show genuine enthusiasm for the work they’re doing.”

💡Leverage Transferable Skills: Many students worry that their background doesn’t perfectly match their desired program. The panelists reassured attendees that transferable skills—like teamwork, project planning, and data analysis—are crucial. “Show how you’ve maximized the opportunities you had,” they advised, “even if they differ from what’s common elsewhere.”

💡Build Strong Networks: Graduate school is more than coursework—it’s about community. Panelists encouraged students to highlight their plans for engaging with support services, networking with peers and faculty, and contributing to campus life. They noted that at many institutions, holistic applications stand out because they reflect not just academic readiness but a commitment to the broader university community.

💡Navigate Differences in Research Experience: For international students, bridging the gap between local research contexts and those abroad can be challenging. The panel recommended reaching out to faculty or admissions officers to discuss these concerns directly. Tailoring your application to highlight how your unique experiences contribute to the program’s diversity and goals can make a strong impression.

Interested in our next event? Stay tuned and join the SFD community at t.ly/E9r5   

 This month, STEM for Development is highlighting Regional Partnerships team member, Anwar Abu_Alkahsi! Her outstanding accomplishments, detailed by Wealth Okete and Charity Afefa, is below.

For those who are interested in learning more about our next event/program, please join SFD at https://t.ly/E9r5

---
SFD Staff Profile: Anwar Abu_Alkahsi

STEM for Development (SFD) is pleased to showcase the career journey and achievements of Anwar Abu_Alkahsi, a pharmacist and research assistant from Jordan. Anwar is a Regional Partnership Associate at SFD, a role that positions her to empower STEM students and professionals in the Middle East region.

With a passion for understanding how drugs work and improving people’s health, Anwar’s training began as a Pharmacy undergraduate at the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST). After completing her Bachelor’s degree, she studied for a Master's in Pharmaceutical Technology at JUST, during which she developed an antimicrobial peptide to combat the growing burden of multidrug-resistant infections while simultaneously working as a pharmacist. After leaving pharmacy practice during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anwar taught courses in Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Calculations and Compounding, working part-time at both JUST and The Hashemite University. Currently a research assistant in Dr. Shorooq Abukhamee's lab at Hashemite, she is developing a novel formulation that could help make antibiotic medications more palatable. The overall goal of this project is to improve patients’ adherence to antibiotics.

Anwar is eager to help individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds access world-class education and training opportunities. This drive inspired her decision to join SFD as a Regional Partnership Associate. Through this role, she plans to help STEM students and professionals in the Middle East region learn about, access, and maximize the various opportunities SFD offers to reach their career goals. Alongside, she hopes to facilitate valuable collaborations between the organization and interested partners in the region.

Although Anwar has had to grapple with various hurdles and uncertainties in her journey as a first-generation graduate, her passion keeps her going. She enjoins STEM students and professionals to not give up too soon. Even in moments of doubt, “remember why you began and keep working toward your goals”, she says. 

  🔍 Help Shape Our Responsible Conduct of Research Seminar! 🔍

STEM for Development is gathering questions for an upcoming session on responsible research practices. We would love your input on topics like:

-- Authorship
-- Plagiarism
-- Research Misconduct
-- Collaborative Research

If you have questions or faced challenges in these areas, please share your thoughts in this quick, anonymous survey (1-2 minutes). Your input will guide us in addressing key concerns!

📝 https://lnkd.in/emtenHjR
⏰ Deadline: Nov 9, 2024

👇 Drop your own experiences or questions in the comments, and please share this post to help us reach more researchers interested in fostering integrity in STEM!   

  SFD is delighted to welcome our newest volunteers, Dr. Xolelwa Zulu-Magwenyane, Moses Arthur, and Anthony Nelson! By joining SFD, Dr. Xolelwa will lead the Regional Partnerships team as the Director, Moses will contribute to our Education Program and Anthony to our Public Affairs initiatives! Read more about these outstanding volunteers below, and make sure to join me in congratulating them!

Dr. Xolelwa Zulu-Magwenyane holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Master of Science in Technology and Innovation Management from the University of Pretoria . Dr. Xolelwa is currently working as a Manager for Strategic Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Her responsibilities include overseeing and supporting the development and implementation of the CSIR RDI Strategy. She leads and guides investment funding, designs and develops programs, and efficiently aligns resources to the strategy. At SFD, she seeks to apply her knowledge and skills to explore talents among STEM communities in underrepresented countries.

Moses Arthur is currently pursuing his doctoral studies in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Rochester. He obtained his BSc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Ghana in 2021. His research interest focuses on the development of point-of-care diagnostics. As a 2022 Michael Taiwo Scholar, Moses has benefited from mentorship and is committed to extending similar guidance to others during the graduate school application process.

Anthony Nelson is a creative communication designer with a focus on film and animation, and holds a degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi of Science and Technology (KNUST). He currently works as a volunteer with the NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COMMISSION (NDPC)-GHANA. Anthony has established a strong reputation for himself in the field because of his acute sense of narrative and aesthetic design. As he joins SFD, he is committed to employing his creative abilities in graphically communicating information about the organization in the best way possible.  

 🌟 Volunteer Opportunity: Director of Public Affairs 🌟

STEM for Development, a global non-profit committed to enhancing STEM education in the Global South, is seeking a Director of Public Affairs to lead our communications and outreach efforts. In this role, you will shape public relations strategies, manage external communications, and elevate our visibility within the international STEM and education communities.

We’re looking for candidates with:

🔺An advanced degree or 5+ years of experience in STEM, communications, public policy, international relations, or a related field.
🔺Proven experience in communications, public relations, or policy advocacy.
🔺Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to coordinate strategic campaigns and events.

As a volunteer, you will gain invaluable leadership experience, grow your global network, and contribute to advancing STEM education across the Global South.

🕒 Time commitment: 4-6 hours per week, with flexible scheduling.
📅 Apply by: October 20, 2024. Submit your CV and cover letter.
🔗 Application link: t.ly/R8mYZ
📧 For inquiries, contact: info@stemfordevelopment.org

Help us make a global impact in STEM education! Please share this opportunity with your network. 🌍🔬  

 This month, STEM for Development is highlighting a former student and now mentor to others, Stacy Abbang! Her inspirational story, authored by Wealth Okete and Ruth Ogboye, is below.

For those who are interested in learning more about our next event/program, please join SFD at https://t.ly/E9r5 or visit our website at stemfordevelopment.org!

---
SFD Student Profile: Stacy Abbang

This month, STEM for Development (SFD) is celebrating one of its mentees, and now mentors, Stacy Abbang. Stacy’s journey through the world of biomedical research has been fueled by a deep curiosity about how cancers develop and spread across the body. This same curiosity now drives her decision to enroll into the prestigious Biomedical Sciences PhD program at Augusta University.

Stacy has always been intrigued by how normal, healthy cells mutate and morph into cancerous cells. However, it was during her undergraduate studies that her passion for genetics and cancer research truly blossomed. During her bachelor’s program in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Ghana, she took classes in genetics that provided her with a more in-depth understanding of how genes influenced cancer development and progression. Her undergraduate project focused on unraveling cancers of the cervix and respiratory tract, an area of research that strongly aligned with her interest. Findings from this study, such as the observation that the human papillomavirus expressed proteins which drive cancer growth, further solidified her commitment to the field, laying the groundwork for her decision to pursue graduate training. For her PhD, she hopes to explore this interest further by unravelling the genetic processes underlying cancer development and contributing to the design of effective cancer therapies.

Like many aspiring scholars, Stacy initially struggled with graduate school application. Her search for guidance, however, led her to SFD, where she received mentorship and support. In her words, "The mentorship program offered exactly the kind of guidance I was searching for.” Under the guidance of Daniel B. Schwab, PhD, she learned how to craft cold emails that effectively communicated her research interests and received positive feedback from professors. The outcome of the mentorship speaks for itself with her graduate school admission!

Stacy advises graduate school aspirants to focus on applying to work with professors whose research aligns with their interests and seek help from mentors with expertise in the application process. Most importantly, she encourages persistence. "Continually strive to improve your applications, even if you face setbacks. Persistence is key." 

 This summer, STEM for Development selected five amazing students from across the world to participate in the six-week RNA Institute Summer Bioinformatics Program at University at Albany. STEM for Development thanks the RNA Institute team for welcoming our students and for a wonderful partnership! Please read more about all that the students accomplished in this outstanding program by reading about their work below.

Patricia Bazwell Banda, a Medical Microbiology graduate from Malawi University of Science and Technology, participated in the bioinformatics program because of her growing interest in phage therapy and antimicrobial resistance. The program deepened her knowledge of bioinformatics tools (R, Linux, STAR, DESeq2) and led her to explore biological pathways affected by alternative splicing in yellow fever virus-infected vs uninfected cells.

Nathaniel Boateng, a MasterCard Foundation Scholar and Biochemistry student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, entered the program with an interest in genomics and bioinformatics. He gained new skills in RNA-Seq, Bash, and R programming. His project analyzed Zika virus infection's impact on cellular stress response and gene expression.

Faizan Fayaz, a Biotechnology Honors student from Kashmir, India, joined to advance his research career. Starting with no bioinformatics experience, he gained proficiency in CLI, R, next-generation sequencing, and data analysis. His project showed that physical training alters splicing events in males with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).

Chinonyelum Agbo, a top graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, joined the program due to his interest in unraveling the genes implicated in specific diseases. Through the program, he gained knowledge of bioinformatics concepts and tools such as Pymol and Zdock. His project on MBNL1’s binding to CUG repeats in DM1 patients earned him the best oral research presentation award.

Gertrude Hattoh, a Biological Science student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, participated in the program to gain hands-on computational biology skills that would complement her academic knowledge. For her project, Gertrude investigated Visual Projection Neurons across neuropils in the fruit fly brain and gained proficiency in Unix, R, and next-generation sequencing.

Congratulations to these students - we wish you much success as you apply your new skills to your careers. 

 Thanks so much to all who joined STEM for Development's August webinar on communicating with potential graduate advisors! Nicholas Offei and Stephanie Adama shared their advice for drafting effective emails with 365 students who attended live and an additional 700 who received the event recording. These students were drawn from 35 countries, demonstrating the broad appeal of their talk.

Interested in our next event? Stay tuned and join the SFD community at t.ly/E9r5 or visit our website: stemfordevelopment.org!

---
SFD Hosts Webinar on Writing to Potential Research Advisors for Graduate School
By Ruth Ogboye and Gaius Nuakoh

On Saturday, August 3rd, SFD hosted a webinar entitled “Writing to Potential Research Advisors for Graduate School.” The webinar featured Mr. Nicholas Offei, Lead of Intramural Programs, and Ms. Stephanie Adama, Co-Lead of the Mentorship Program. During the webinar, they discussed essential strategies for effectively crafting cold emails to potential research advisors during the graduate application process.

Reflecting on the webinar, Alphonse Hounkpe, a BSc. Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Student, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, shared, “I have learned to respect potential advisors’ time, be concise with the letter, ask for a chance to know more about the advisor’s work, and be patient.” Sujit Tandukar, an M.Sc. Microbiology student from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, also learned about the importance of cold emails and the structures the emails should have. Finally, Stephen Mkila, a B.Eng. Civil Engineering graduate from St. Joseph University in Tanzania, highlighted, “I have learned how to tailor cold emails to graduate advisors, and how long I should wait before writing back a gentle reminder." He also learned not to write to more than one advisor in the same department at a time and not to rush to write many impersonal cold emails at once.

The participants expressed their gratitude for the webinar, acknowledging the facilitators for their insightful presentation. SFD extends its appreciation to all attendees for their active engagement and invites them to stay connected and informed about future events by signing up for membership at t.ly/E9r5.    

 Over the past two months, STEM for Development has hosted a series of webinars, each with over 1,000 registrants! Despite this amazing turnout, many of you have reached out asking for the recordings. Good news: they’re now available! Watch our latest webinars to help you succeed in your graduate school and professional journey:

Navigating the US Visa Process and Procedures with Laura Flak
🔑 Password: Xmhh9Jy$
🎥 Recording Link: https://lnkd.in/ePV4v3Cf

Effective CV Writing & Planning Your Graduate School Applications
🔑 Password: 3yJpmtW?
🎥 Recording Link: https://lnkd.in/eGJBFg-m

Writing to Potential Research Advisors for Graduate School
🔑 Password: nTj9w2H@
🎥 Recording Link: https://lnkd.in/erwgrzJd

Requesting Graduate School Application Fee Waivers
🔑 Password: vS8UhhK@
🎥 Recording Link: https://lnkd.in/eFwVhPEv

👉 Stay updated on our upcoming events and programs: Join SFD at https://t.ly/E9r5   

  🌟 Volunteer Opportunity: Director of Regional Partnerships 🌟

STEM for Development is a global non-profit dedicated to enhancing STEM education in the Global South. We're seeking a Director of Regional Partnerships to lead our team in fostering international collaborations.

The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree in a STEM field or international relations, and should have experience in program management as well as strategic planning and communications. This is a great opportunity for an early career STEM professional to expand their skills in international collaboration and leadership while growing their professional network.

Apply by August 11 at this link (t.ly/ZHmNa). A CV and cover letter is required upon completion of the application form. For inquiries, email info@stemfordevelopment.org.

Help us make a global impact in STEM education! Please share this with your network! 🌍🔬   

 This month, STEM for Development is highlighting a top student/mentee from Nigeria, kayode Raheem! His story, authored by Wealth Okete and Ruth Ogboye, is below.

For those who are interested in learning more about our next event/program, please join SFD at https://t.ly/E9r5
---
This month, STEM for Development (SFD) is celebrating kayode Raheem, an incoming PhD student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in the United States. Kayode's story reiterates the indispensable role that consistency, hard work, and strategy play in the success of graduate school applications.

Kayode's curiosity about the role of genetics in diseases such as cancer influenced his decision to enroll for a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry at Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba, Nigeria. In his third year, he was inspired by the potential for using bioinformatics in drug discovery and development during a course on biochemical pharmacology. After graduating top of his class, he became set on pursuing a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics at COMSATS University Islamabad in Pakistan to explore how emerging bioinformatics tools can be used to inform breast cancer treatment. Receiving the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship to support his work, Kayode used his developing bioinformatics skillset to design personalized vaccines against cancerous breast tissue. Now, he is eager to apply his bioinformatics skills to gain a deeper understanding of cancer progression, with the ultimate goal of reducing its burden among Nigerian women.

The remarkable progress Kayode made in his graduate school journey did not come by chance. In the early stages of his application, he doubted his ability to make a strong case for his suitability for graduate school via his personal statements, CV, or cold emails. However, with the support and guidance of his SFD mentor, Nicholas Offei, he aced both the applications and admission interviews. Thanks to his diligence, Kayode received multiple fully-funded offers and graduate assistantships from US universities and will join the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) this fall to study for a PhD in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology.

Kayode attributes much of his success to his consistency. Despite facing numerous rejections in 2022, he remained resolute in the pursuit of his goals and strategically addressed his mistakes through mentorship. He reminds other applicants to acknowledge that succeeding at graduate school applications requires personal focus, dedication, and perseverance, and can be helped greatly by a dedicated mentor.  

 is excited to announce its newest Regional Partnerships team member, Mohammad Awwal Adeshina, PhD, PMP! Dr. Adeshina originally hails from Nigeria and is currently a Senior Research Engineer DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology) in South Korea. In addition to being well-traveled, Dr. Adeshina has worked at the intersection of engineering and business, holding a PMP alongside his PhD from the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Kyungpook National University. A full biography is below for those who are interested in learning more about him!

-----

Dr. Mohammad A. Adeshina currently works in a researcher position at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) in South Korea. He completed his Ph.D. degree in the department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Kyungpook National University, South Korea. His research interests span a wide interdisciplinary spectrum within the field of engineering, encompassing Nanotechnology, Energy, and Biotechnology.

Dr. Adeshina’s goal is to spearhead groundbreaking product and services advancements by harnessing his extensive technological training and unwavering passion for the world of business. He is eager to bridge the gap between academia and industry, leveraging his diverse skill set to drive innovation and contribute to transformative developments in these crucial fields.

His passion lies in assisting individuals from underprivileged backgrounds in their educational endeavors within the STEM fields. He is also dedicated to providing support and opportunities to those who may face barriers to accessing STEM education.

-----

For those who are interested in learning more about STEM for Development and opportunities to support our mission, please sign up for membership at https://t.ly/E9r5  

 Approximately 350 students from 13 countries registered for STEM for Development's December webinar on preparing to interview for STEM graduate positions. Our article about this event is below. For those who are interested in learning more about our next event/program, please join SFD at https://t.ly/E9r5

---

SFD Holds STEM Graduate School Application Webinar: Interviewing for Success

Article by Ruth Ogboye and Gaius Kojo Nuakoh

In December 2023, STEM for Development hosted its webinar entitled “STEM Graduate Applications: Interviewing for Success”. The session was led by SFD President, Daniel B. Schwab, PhD and Ms. Stephanie Adama, Co-lead of Mentorship Programs. Dr. Schwab and Ms. Adama discussed what students can expect of the interview process, providing best practices for interview preparation and professional etiquette, and highlighted the most common challenges that students face in answering questions. Examples of common interview questions – both for interviewers and interviewees – were discussed during the session, and attendees had the opportunity to have their questions answered.

After the webinar, participants eagerly shared their take-home insights. Priscilla Lartey. a Biochemistry graduate from the University of Ghana, enthusiastically mentioned, "I learnt preparations to make before an interview, what to do when interviewed, as well as ways to engage with interviewers." Chijioke Doris, a Microbiology graduate working at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), who initially didn't recognize the importance of asking questions to interviewers, now acknowledges the value of posing thoughtful questions and understands the types of questions to ask. Additionally, Kwabena Debrah Asuming, an MPhil graduate in Biomedical Engineering, mentioned, "I got to know [how] to prepare and the need to maintain a collegial interaction with the interviewers throughout the process."

Overall, the students remarked that they were greatly influenced by the session, particularly the question-and-answer segment of the webinar. They departed from the event feeling inspired and well-equipped to succeed in their upcoming graduate school interviews when invited. They highly recommended STEM for Development to others, highlighting the benefits of events as this.

SFD extends its gratitude to the participants for their active involvement in the webinar. Stay tuned for future events organized by SFD by signing up for membership: t.ly/E9r5.