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!
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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.
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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
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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.
Congratulations to Abdulazeez Oni, JOSIE OKAI, Serah Peter-Adeoye (née Akojenu), Hyacinthe TUYUBAHE, and Godwin Agbeka for presenting at STEM for Development's first research symposium today! With the support of host Nicholas Offei, all five gave professional-quality presentations on their diverse research projects to a group of their peers from across SFD. These presentations were the culmination of an ongoing workshop held by SFD, which we will repeat in 2024. We hope to see you there!
For those who are interested in learning more about our next event/program, please join SFD at https://t.ly/E9r5
STEM for Development (SFD) is excited to welcome its newest volunteers, Hauwa Adedo, Michael Adu, and Joe Adabouk Amooli. By joining SFD, these new volunteers will contribute their skills to our Intramural Activities team! Read about them below.
Hauwa Adedo
Hauwa Adedo is a first-year Master’s student in Physics at Miami University. She currently works in the Magnetism Lab where she specializes in fabricating and investigating the magneto-caloric properties of MnXP materials. Hauwa holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics and Education from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where she has previously promoted learning in her community by volunteering to teach physics to locals in the region.
Michael Adu
Michael Adu is a graduate student in the Department of Biology, Wayne State University. There, he studies the consequences of depriving mammalian cells of inositol, an important signaling molecule. Michael is passionate about STEM advocacy and education and has participated in several outreaches aimed at promoting science literacy and awareness among the public. He brings this wealth of experiences to his role as a volunteer for SFD and looks forward to supporting the organization to reach its goals.
Joe Adabouk Amooli
Joe is a PhD student in Earth and Enviornmental Sciences at Columbia University in the city of New York. He is interested in aerosols, air pollution, and climate change and currently researches the impact of global aerosol reductions on the climate. Previously, he worked on air pollution concentrations in West African cities using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence models. Joe has a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Ghana and a Master's degree in Computer and Climate Science from the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Use program, where he topped his class. Outside academics, Joe enjoys traveling and exploring big cities.
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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
STEM for Development (SFD) is delighted to highlight the story and accomplishments of Mayowa Jason Abiodun, a Master’s student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, who also serves as the Head of Extramural Education Programs at SFD.
Jason grew up in western Nigeria. It was there that he developed his interest in understanding the natural world, inspiring his decision to pursue a BSc in Cell Biology and Genetics at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. After completing those studies, he pursued a Master’s degree in Genetics at the same institution focusing on genetics, DNA profiling, and bioinformatics, which both reinforced his passion and enhanced his knowledge and skillsets in the field. Jason then proceeded to work as a molecular scientist at 54gene, a Nigeria-based research and biotechnology company. At 54gene, he rose through the ranks to lead the team involved in COVID-19 surveillance and diagnosis. Driven by his enthusiasm for computational biology and its real-world impacts in health and disease, Jason is now studying host-microbiome interactions as an MSc Biology student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Jason's experience working with STEM for Development as a mentee motivated him to volunteer with the program. In his words, the organization offers him “an opportunity to contribute to creating a better and [more] equitable world.” As its Head of the Extramural Education Program team, Jason's work spans identifying and establishing connections with individuals and institutions in STEM. Through these collaborations, his team connects SFD students with graduate schools and helps support their career aspirations with internships and workshops. His efforts have led to numerous feats such as the selection of three students for a research internship program at George Mason University and an increasing number of global STEM experts and leaders speaking at SFD’s webinars.
Jason believes that knowledge comes at a price, although the currency may be diverse. Consequently, he advises students to be open to volunteering and learning from others, and to remain teachable and flexible as they navigate the path to discovering and nurturing their interests.
In October 2023, STEM for Development is sharing the inspiring story of Rifa Tusnia Mona, a graduate of agriculture who is strongly committed to mitigating climate change in her home country of Bangladesh. Rifa's passion, which she plans to further pursue in graduate school, spans developing and promoting the use of locally-sourced and eco-friendly products.
Rifa studied Agriculture at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka, Bangladesh. As an undergraduate student, she participated in many competitions, including the 3rd National Enviro+ Challenge and the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) Environmental Fest, which spurred her interest in climate action. It was during an extensive research project for one such competition that she learned that eco-friendly products had less acceptance in Dhaka due to their high cost and low sustainability. This discovery inspired her to think of ways to mitigate the effects of climate change by exploring how sustainable and environmentally-friendly resources could be made economically viable. These efforts resulted in several inventions by Rifa and her colleagues, including an economical ($2), eco-friendly water filtration prototype for flood victims that employed environmentally-friendly and recyclable materials. Although she decided early on in her undergraduate studies to enroll in graduate school, these experiences gave substance and direction to that decision. Rifa graduated with first class honors in 2022, despite having to grapple with a newly diagnosed chronic illness in her final year.
More recently, Rifa has been taking intentional steps towards building and nurturing her budding career. This has included joining STEM for Development to acquire mentorship support and guidance to pursue her career goals, as well as taking up a position at iPAGE | grow smartly , an agritech startup promoting climate-smart agricultural practices among farmers in Bangladesh's climate-vulnerable zones. At iPAGE, she serves as an assistant executive in strategic marketing and promotion. In the near future, Rifa plans to found a startup focused on sustainable climate technology, where she can conduct research to develop economically viable and sustainable eco-friendly solutions for developing countries.
For those considering graduate school, Rifa recommends having clear career goals, maintaining a strong sense of motivation, and making the most of their unique strengths and opportunities.
On Sunday October 8, STEM for Development hosted its webinar entitled “Completing Your Application: Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation and Fee Waivers”. The session was led by SFD President Dr. Daniel Schwab and Ms. Jess Dong, the Director of Regional Partnerships. Dr. Schwab began by sharing best practices and strategies for writing competitive statement of purpose essays, while Ms. Dong provided tips to request good recommendation letters and obtain application fee waivers. Samples of essays and letters were reviewed during the session, and attendees had the opportunity to have their questions answered.
A number of participants shared their take-home insights from the webinar. Being new to statement of purpose writing, Joshua Okegbola, a recent Physics graduate from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, expressed his gratitude for the comprehensive knowledge he acquired on this topic and his increased comfort with the writing process. Additionally, a participant with BSc in Environmental Science from Ghana mentioned that, "there is a need to attach timelines, SOP, and relevant documents to assist recommenders in writing good [letters]," highlighting that she has learned a valuable way to support her letter writers. Edinam Amekuedee, a BSc Materials Science graduate from the University of Ghana, commented that she learned how to create a structured statement of purpose that weaves together multiple research experiences to tell a compelling story.
Overall, the students expressed their appreciation for the webinar, particularly its systematic breakdown of the various components of the statement of purpose. They left the event feeling motivated to continue their writing and put their best efforts into completing their applications. They highly recommended STEM for Development to others, underscoring the benefits offered by such events.
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 on this website or at t.ly/E9r5.
On Saturday, October 7, STEM for Development hosted its webinar entitled “Study in Japan: Fully-Funded MEXT & JICA Graduate Scholarships” aimed at exploring graduate scholarship opportunities in Japan. The session, facilitated by Daniel B. Schwab, PhD and Ms. Jess Dong, began with a discussion on the benefits and application components of the MEXT and JICA Scholarships. The presentation then turned to four current Scholars and panelists, Ms. Christiana Agbo, Mr. Emmanuel Osei Mensah, Mr. Sachin Yadav and Mr. Elisha Senoo, who shared their experiences in both programs and participated in a Q&A session with attending students.
After the webinar, SFD students eagerly shared the lessons they learned. Fred Kweku Eshun, a recent B.Sc. Petroleum Engineering graduate from the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana, stated that, “I learnt the process of applying to be a MEXT Scholar. I plan to take my chances as I embark on the University track [of the MEXT Scholarship] system”. Wagaye Minilu, a B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering student at Debre Markos University, Ethiopia, conveyed her enhanced understanding of the application process for the scholarship and the overall funding process. “I learned that Japanese universities are as [outstanding] as [all] others”, shared Onyinyechi Amaechi, an M.Sc. Cell Biology and Genetics student from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Overall, participants reported their appreciation for the webinar and were excited to be informed about opportunities to study in Japan, which were previously unknown. They shared that they highly recommend STEM for Development webinars to others, emphasizing the benefits that this and similar events can provide.
SFD appreciates all our participants for their active involvement in the webinar. Stay tuned for future events organized by SFD by signing up for membership on this website or at t.ly/E9r5
For October 2023, STEM for Development (SFD) is delighted to highlight the career journey of Jess Dong who is currently a PhD student at The Ohio State University and the Director of Regional Partnerships of SFD.
Jess grew up in Inner Mongolia, China, where her passion did not begin with STEM, but with the arts. To pursue this interest, she acquired a B.Sc. in Film Production and Management before moving to Australia where she earned an M.Sc. in Commerce. By this point, Jess was becoming increasingly interested in science, but spent several years in the corporate world as a marketer until finally deciding to pursue a career in biology. Jess worked hard to obtain certifications in dog training and animal behavior and began working as a veterinary assistant. After staying several years in Australia, Jess relocated to the US, where she completed a second B.Sc. in Zoology and Botany at Ohio Wesleyan University. Jess is now a PhD student at the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University, where her research at the interface of climate change, landscape ecology, and wildlife ecology has earned her the Susan Huntington Dean’s Distinguished University Fellowship and the ENGIE-Axium Fellowship. Away from research, Jess contributes to her Graduate School Committee by reviewing the application process and discussing graduate student’s curriculum as a voting member.
Throughout her STEM journey, Jess received support from many mentors, which has motivated her to give back to others. As a mentor and now the Director of Regional Partnerships at SFD, Jess’s role is to expand the organization’s reach into under-resourced countries and regions. Through this, she connects with potential partners and empowers future STEM leaders. She advises students to remember that while it is acceptable to not achieve goals in the short term, persistence, and continuous efforts are keys to realizing one’s ambitions.
For July 2023, STEM ford Development is excited to highlight the fascinating story of Steven Kolawole. Steven is a computer science graduate from Nigeria and an incoming PhD student in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) at Carnegie Mellon University, United States. Steven’s journey to graduate school is not typical, and portrays important lessons in starting early, seeking support, and learning from past experiences when applying for graduate school programs.
Steven studied Computer Science for his Bachelor’s degree at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. As an undergraduate student, he regularly consumed journal articles, through which he became acquainted with research in his field. At the same time, Steven also pursued practical experiences, participating in undergraduate research, various internship programs, competitions, and training workshops, all of which strengthened his resolve to pursue a career in AI/ML.
By the time Steven decided to apply to graduate school in his third year, his efforts had earned him a journal publication and departmental awards. Realizing his need for expert guidance to navigate the application process, Steven connected with Dr. Daniel Schwab, whose mentorship helped him to revamp his application documents and bypass standardized tests. Despite having a competitive profile and a supportive mentor, Steven failed to secure any offer from the 10 schools to which he applied. However, he remained unflinching in the pursuit of his career goals. By his next attempt in 2022, Steven had built an even stronger profile and drawn lessons from the previous year on how to improve on his interviews. By gaining additional research experiences, publications, and prioritizing academic connections with potential advisors, he received admission to his top-choice AI/ML program at Carnegie Mellon University.
As Steven prepares to commence his PhD program at Carnegie Mellon, he remains committed to inspiring, supporting, and mentoring graduate school aspirants in AI/ML. He has put together a detailed account of his journey to graduate school, which can be found here (https://stevenkolawole.medium.com/my-path-to-phd-from-funaab-abeokuta-to-carnegie-mellon-pittsburgh-ed7d93d33d31).
On Saturday, July 8th, STEM for Development hosted Dr. Sunny Narayanan (Florida State University) for his talk entitled “The Space and Earth Environment’s Effect on Physiology.” The webinar provided early-career STEM students from eleven different countries with insights into biomedical space research, enlightening those in attendance on career opportunities in the field. Dr. Narayanan shared his career trajectory while delving into his research projects involving assessing the effect of gravity on lymphatic functions, immunity, and the physiology of specific parts of the body such as the gastrointestinal tract.
After the webinar, SFD students reflected on all that they learned. Chibuikem Chidi, a Nigerian human physiology undergraduate at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, shared that he, “Learnt a lot about the effect of space on the human body; as a person who wants to be a space physiologist, I found the session enlightening.” Soumyabrata Chakraborty, who holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Calcutta in India, expressed gratitude to Dr. Narayanan for expanding his horizons into how research is being pursued at the interface of space science and biology. Both Khalid Adam Yusuf (Bayero University, Kano) and Vera Anoah Edwin (University of Ghana) shared that their favorite part of the event was hearing about Dr. Narayanan’s personal background, and how he found his path into science. “[Hearing his story] serves as a motivation that [I] can attain greater feats, regardless of [my] background,” said Vera.
SFD extends its gratitude to Dr. Narayanan for sharing his expertise and making the event a resounding success, and appreciates all our participants for their active involvement in the webinar. Stay tuned for future events organized by SFD by signing up for membership.
On Saturday, June 10, STEM for Development (SFD) successfully concluded its Grad School 101 webinar series with a discussion focused on “Mentee Experiences and the SFD Mentorship Program”. The two hosts for the webinar, Ms. Stephanie Adama and Mr. Samson Darrah, elaborated on the purpose of the SFD Mentorship Program and emphasized the qualities that best position a mentee to achieve success in applying to graduate school. Two successful mentees from the 2022/2023 application season, Mr. Nicholas Offei and Ms. Faith Ojelade, were joined by SFD mentor Ms. Jess Dong in sharing testimonials and answering questions about the application process.
After the webinars, SFD students eagerly shared the lessons they learned. Christopher Tsikata, a Clinical Biochemistry major at Accra Technical University in Ghana, expressed that, “The Grad School 101 webinars provided me with valuable knowledge, strategies, and tools to navigate the graduate school application process successfully. I learned about the expectations of admissions committees and how to present myself as a strong candidate. The webinars also guided me in developing a research interest through self-reflection, exploring academic resources, seeking guidance from mentors, and engaging in relevant experiences.” Tseganesh Kebede, a software engineer from Ethiopia, volunteered her reflections on the importance of contacting potential mentors before submitting an application.
Sharing the importance of learning from the success of others, Opeyemi Akindusoye, a Microbiology graduate of Lagos State University in Nigeria, shared her belief that “The event's high point was when two mentees from the previous SFD cohort presented their insights into the graduate school application process and how they were able to successfully land a fully funded offer for their graduate studies.”
As the mentorship program enters its next phase, SFD extends its gratitude to the mentors for their unwavering commitment to the Graduate Application Mentorship Program and appreciates the active involvement of all the participants in the webinar series. To stay informed about future events organized by SFD, aspiring STEM researchers are encouraged to sign up for membership on this website!
On Saturday, May 27, STEM for Development (SFD) hosted Prof. James Stellar (University at Albany, SUNY and SFD Board Member) for his talk entitled “Innovation in Behavioral Neuroscience as Seen through Two Scientific Lifetimes.” The webinar provided early-career STEM students from eight different countries with insights into advancements in the field of neuroscience, while also weaving in the career opportunities of Prof. Stellar, his father, and even the students in attendance. While doing so, Prof. Stellar delved into pioneering research projects that resulted from three major sets of innovations in the field: anatomical techniques that illustrated simple brain anatomy and function, genetics and molecular biology, and human brain scanners. Along the way, Dr. Stellar presented his own research and reflected on what more recent advances may mean for the field, including behavioral theory innovations and the rise of artificial intelligence.
After the webinar, SFD students reflected on all that they learned. “I learned how, with the development of the human brain scanners, scientists and healthcare professionals can better visualize the anatomy of the brain for diagnosis of certain neurological disorders,” shared Charles James Myers, a biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology graduate from the University of Ghana. Hauwa Adedo, a Nigerian physicist, was interested to learn how the innovations that Prof. Stellar highlighted can be used to address cravings and addictions.
Reflecting on the value of these kinds of events more generally, Godwin Agbeka, a biochemistry undergraduate student at KNUST, reflected, “When I was an upcoming senior, there [were few] organizations like [STEM for Development] that help young and brilliant minds from developing countries. It will be of much pleasure to recommend STEM for Development to others so they benefit.”
SFD extends its gratitude to Prof. Stellar for sharing his expertise and making the event a resounding success, and appreciates all our participants for their active involvement in the webinar. Stay tuned for future events organized by SFD by signing up for membership on this website!
STEM for Development (SFD) is pleased to highlight the story of one of its key team members, Moses Kabuu, who is currently doctoral researcher at Forschungszentrum Jülich.
Moses Kabuu is a Biologist with a background in microbial regulatory interactions, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and drug discovery. He is interested in untapping the impressive array of undiscovered small molecules with novel bioactivities. His focus is particularly on understanding the role of the complex underlying the assembly of biosynthetic pathways and their regulation to synthesize small molecules with novel antibacterial and/or antiviral activities.
He pursued a B.Sc. in Microbiology at Moi University Kenya and an M.Sc. in Microbiology at Friedrich Schiller University Jena in Germany. He is currently a Doctoral researcher at Forschungszentrum Jülich in partnership with Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, where he is researching Bacterial Antiviral Immunity. Moses has received multiple awards, including the DAAD Leadership for Africa (LfA) Scholarship (2021), and the World Literacy Foundation Ambassador (2020). He is also a graduate of the LEAD Program at the University of Cologne in Germany (2023) where he trained on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), leadership, and governance.
Alongside his career as a biologist, he is passionate about leadership and STEM outreach both in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). He is a co-founder and Head of African Affairs of STEM for Development. In his role at SFD, he hopes to expand the number of STEM students from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to access graduate programs in world-class institutions, as well as collaborate with institutions from Sub-Saharan Africa for the mutual growth and sustainability of SFD. He also works closely with STEM advocates aiming to achieve quality education, particularly in STEM fields.
He advises students who want to achieve higher educational heights, like him, to broaden their imagination and believe in their abilities to create a world in which everyone can access good education.
On Saturday, May 27, STEM for Development (SFD) hosted Prof. James Stellar (University at Albany, SUNY and SFD Board Member) for his talk entitled “Innovation in Behavioral Neuroscience as Seen through Two Scientific Lifetimes.” The webinar provided early-career STEM students from eight different countries with insights into advancements in the field of neuroscience, while also weaving in the career opportunities of Prof. Stellar, his father, and even the students in attendance. While doing so, Prof. Stellar delved into pioneering research projects that resulted from three major sets of innovations in the field: anatomical techniques that illustrated simple brain anatomy and function, genetics and molecular biology, and human brain scanners. Along the way, Dr. Stellar presented his own research and reflected on what more recent advances may mean for the field, including behavioral theory innovations and the rise of artificial intelligence.
After the webinar, SFD students reflected on all that they learned. “I learned how, with the development of the human brain scanners, scientists and healthcare professionals can better visualize the anatomy of the brain for diagnosis of certain neurological disorders,” shared Charles James Myers, a biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology graduate from the University of Ghana. Hauwa Adedo, a Nigerian physicist, was interested to learn how the innovations that Prof. Stellar highlighted can be used to address cravings and addictions.
Reflecting on the value of these kinds of events more generally, Godwin Agbeka, a biochemistry undergraduate student at KNUST, reflected, “When I was an upcoming senior, there [were few] organizations like [STEM for Development] that help young and brilliant minds from developing countries. It will be of much pleasure to recommend STEM for Development to others so they benefit.”
SFD extends its gratitude to Prof. Stellar for sharing his expertise and making the event a resounding success, and appreciates all our participants for their active involvement in the webinar. Stay tuned for future events organized by SFD by signing up for membership on this website!
On May 30, 2023, STEM for Development added another amazing new team member to its global team: Anwar Abu Alkahsi of Jordan! In addition to her work as a community pharmacist, Anwar has accomplished a great deal in academics, holding BSc and MSc degrees in pharmaceutical S&T and having already published two research manuscripts! She is going to help broaden the vision of SFD on our Regional Partnerships team, and all are excited to have her on board. Her short biography is below:
Anwar Abu Alkahsi, is a first-generation college graduate from Jordan. She graduated from Jordan University of Science and Technology one year ahead of her class with a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, and then worked as a community pharmacist for nearly three years. Last year, she received her Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Technology from Jordan University of Science and Technology, where she worked to design a novel antimicrobial peptide with antibiofilm and antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Anwar believes that everyone should have the ability to pursue their ambitions, and she aspires to help students from developing countries attain higher degrees in STEM.
STEM for Development is proud to highlight the story of Godness Kye Biney, a Master’s degree student in Public Health at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Godness is one of our mentors for the 2023-2024 application cycle and a mentee of Dr. Schwab, the President and Founder of SFD. Through his passion for public health and educational advancement, Godness has demonstrated a unique level of perseverance and diligence that has impressed everyone he meets.
Godness has always had a passion for healthcare equity. This led him to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Physician Assistantship at the Presbyterian University of Ghana, where he soon discovered his interest in public health and epidemiology. While pursuing his studies, he was extraordinarily active in academics and outreach, conducting (in just one case) a free medical screening event that evaluated 1,200 people for prostate cancer, HIV, hepatitis B, malaria, diabetes, and hypertension.
Once he realized he wanted to pursue public health research in graduate school, he began applying under the mentorship of Dr. Schwab. The journey was not an easy one, however, as research-based Master’s degree programs in public health are notoriously competitive. Undaunted, Godness secured a position in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at UMass, Amherst after facing many rejections. However, the offer was initially presented to Godness without full funding, which would make it impossible for him to attend. But Godness was not deterred, and after contacting many professors and various offices on campus (29 in total!), he eventually received an on-campus assistantship with full tuition remission.
By this point, classes were nearing their start. Again, Godness was not deterred, and worked diligently with his US consular office to receive an emergency visa appointment. While Godness arrived on campus two weeks late with a full course load, research obligations, and an on-campus job, he has taken advantage of every second of his studies. He completed his first semester with a 4.0 GPA, and became a Graduate Student Senator at UMass and Health Coordinator for the Global Connect Foundation. For his accomplishments, he has received the UMass David Hosmer Outstanding First Year Master’s Student Award.
Let us all congratulate Godness!
STEM for Development is excited to announce that we have added two new members to our increasingly global team as of May 15, 2023: Rubí Calderón Jacinto of Peru and Sheyva Sigamoney of Malaysia! Both of these women are exceptional early-career scientists and leaders who will represent their countries and STEM for Development well in their roles on our Regional Partnerships team. We are so excited to have them! For those who are interested in learning more about them, a short biography of each is below:
Rubí Calderón Jacinto graduated in 2022 from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia with a BSc in Pharmacy and Biochemistry. She is currently a research assistant at the Molecular Microbiology Lab at the same university, where she supports projects that explore the immunological differences between different stages of tuberculosis. In the future, she hopes to pursue a master's degree in public health. Outside of research, Rubí likes photography, drawing and traveling. She is also passionate about science community outreach.
Sheyva Sigamoney received her Bachelor of Optometry (Hons) from UCSI University, Malaysia in 2020. Being a scholarship recipient during her undergraduate studies, she collaborated with the Women's Aid Organization to work towards the elimination of discrimination against women, and to bring equality between women and men. Upon graduation, she served as a Clinical Optometrist and Business Development Executive in a sub-specialist eye centre. Currently, she is working as a clinical and research optometrist in a hospital located at the heart of Malaysia. Her research interest is in early detection of retinal vascular diseases by using advanced ophthalmic imaging. Sheyva is also the Founder and CEO of The World of Optometry Organization, a youth-led organization with members from 25 different countries anchored on a commitment to improve Optometrists' practice globally and raise awareness on eye health. She is passionate about bridging the divide between research, clinical practice, academia, and community practice. She hopes to eliminate the barriers to student success in seeking graduate school opportunities.