My journey in science has always been driven by curiosity, determination, and a deep love for understanding life at its tiniest, most complex levels.

Biochemistry was where it all began for me. During my undergraduate studies (University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria), I became fascinated with molecular toxicology. Why? It is simply amazing to see how toxins interact with our bodies at a molecular level, I mean, understanding what processes they trigger and how these small interactions can lead to big changes in our health. It’s like uncovering the story behind how things go wrong, how it goes right too (let’s not always focus on the wrong) and understanding this has made a huge difference in fields like medicine, public health, and the environment in general.

Let’s just say that I have always been drawn to asking, “How does this happen? And I just go on and on until I find an answer eventually and sometimes I don’t but that’s okay. That curiosity, combined with a deep commitment to learning, has guided my journey in science and also technology I’d like to add, oh, and also life, thank you!

Graduating with a Biochemistry (Honours) degree and finishing in the top 1% of my class is a reflection of that commitment. I believe it stands as a testament to my pursuit of excellence and my determination to approach every challenge/question/anything at all with focus and resilience. This same drive has brought me to microbiome research, a field that has transformed my understanding of life in ways I could never have imagined. Cheers to guts by the way! Along the way, every role I have taken on has taught me something new about science, collaboration, life or myself.

Microbiome Research

Before I started contributing to the BugSigDB’s Microbiome Study Curation project as an Outreachy Intern, I never anticipated how deeply I would love microbiome research. Working as a microbiome study curator has been such an eye-opener. I have learned how microbial communities influence human life and how studying them has led and could lead to even more breakthroughs in medicine and science in general. This field is constantly advancing and making progress, and being part of it makes me feel like I am contributing to something truly remarkable.

This internship has also taught me a lot about myself. I have grown my research skills, improved my ability to analyze data, and deepened my understanding of how scientists work in the real world, and how their communication and data sharing are critical. It’s been challenging at times, but every challenge has been an opportunity to grow.

Building My Skills: The Foundation of My Experience

Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have taken on many roles that have shaped my skills and prepared me for what’s ahead I believe. I am definitely not a “one-trade girlie”, and maybe not completely an all-trade girly either but I am a bit diverse I’d like to think.

Here are the key roles that have defined my journey so far:

Laboratory Assistant at Rivers State University, Nigeria (May 2021 - October 2021)

I began my career in science as a laboratory assistant during a six-month undergraduate internship program. Here I worked in the Microbiology, Analytical Chemistry and Food Biochemistry laboratories. This role involved conducting nutritional and phytochemical analyses, ensuring the smooth operation of all lab equipments, and helping to teach new workers about lab protocols and safety. It was here that I first understood the importance of precision, patience, and teamwork in science.

Freelance Guest Writer (November 2022 - April 2024)

Writing has always been a way for me to simplify complexity. I have written over 15 articles for platforms like OpenReplay, ButterCMS, Pieces for Developers, and Dodonut. These include tutorials on web development using a content management system (CMS), design principles, and best-practice articles.

Game Designer at Telgather Minigames (July 2024 - September 2024)

I have explored my creative side by taking a role as a video game UI/UX designer, where I designed some Mini games currently played by over two hundred thousand (200,000) users. This role gave me a unique perspective on creativity and attention to detail. I have come to learn that small details often make the biggest difference.

Microbiome Study Curator at BugSigDB (October 2023 - )

Perhaps the most transformative experience has been my role as a Microbiome Study Curator at BugSigDB. This opportunity allowed me to explore the fascinating world of microbiome research and the profound impact of the human microbiome on health.

As a curator, I have curated and reviewed over 80 studies, and I am also focused on increasing data for underrepresented conditions in the database. Beyond the research and curation, this role sharpened my skills in data analysis, critical review, and systematic problem-solving. It has been a rewarding learning experience, one that has deepened my passion for microbiome research.

For a detailed look at the work and the progress I have made during my internship, and for details on this project and how to get involved, check out my earlier blog post here.

Each of these roles has contributed to my journey, absolutely shaping the way I think, solve problems, and approach opportunities. They have all given me the technical expertise and soft skills that I bring to every project I work on and will be working on from now onwards.

My Career Goals

I am very optimistic about the future, especially combining my interests in molecular toxicology, microbiome research, and data science. Here are the goals I am striving toward and the opportunities I am excited to pursue:

Professional Opportunities

I am actively looking for part-time or full-time roles, internships, or volunteer opportunities where I can:

Work on open-source projects that make science more accessible.
Contribute to microbiome research and learn more about its real-world applications.
Apply data science and bioinformatics to solve complex biological problems.

Academics

I plan to pursue graduate studies soon. I have applied to a few schools and scholarship programs and hope for good news! Graduate school will help me get deeper into understanding molecular toxicology while exploring microbiome research and bioinformatics more thoroughly.

Learning New Skills

There is always room to grow and in all of this, I want to:

Advance my programming skills in R and Python to be able to do big data computing.
Explore deep learning, particularly in microbiome and toxicology research.
Improve my academic writing and science communication to get better at sharing my thoughts and whatever I find interesting in science.

Why I’d be a great fit for your team

My academic journey, combined with hands-on experience and a wide-ranging skill set, has prepared me to contribute meaningfully to any team. I bring a blend of technical expertise, creativity, and adaptability that adds value in many ways. My skills and strengths include:

Technical Skills

Biochemistry and Molecular Toxicology: A strong academic foundation in biochemistry with interests in molecular toxicology.
Microbiome Research: Experience in curating and analyzing microbiome studies, with a deep understanding of how microbial communities impact health and disease.
Laboratory Experience: Skilled in conducting nutritional and phytochemical analyses, troubleshooting, and maintaining precision in laboratory workflows.
Data Analysis and Bioinformatics: Proficient in analyzing biological data using statistical and computational tools.
Design and Attention to Detail: Proven ability to create intuitive designs and solutions that ensure precision and user-friendliness.
Writing and Communication: Published over 15 articles and scientific blogposts.

Strengths

I am skilled at breaking down complex ideas and presenting them clearly.
I am also a team player who communicates openly and effectively, and values different perspectives.
I am great at time management, ensuring tasks are completed on schedule without compromising quality.

Opportunities I am Excited About and Looking Forward to

Very eager to take the next step in my career, I seek roles that align with my expertise in biochemistry and molecular toxicology, microbiome research, bioinformatics, and data science.

Roles of Interest

Full-time or part-time positions in microbiome research, bioinformatics, biochemistry, molecular toxicology, or related fields.
Internships that offer opportunities to contribute while gaining experience.
Volunteer opportunities that are in line with my passion for advancing science and education.

Availability

I am ready to start new roles in March 2025, following the completion of my Outreachy internship.

Flexibility

I am open to remote roles, with over two years of remote work experience.
I am also willing to relocate to regions that encourage scientific research and innovation.

Contract Work

I am also open to contract roles where I can deliver high-quality results using my skills in writing, design, and analysis.

As a Nigerian who has worked in different teams with people from all over the world, I believe that diversity leads to innovation, and I am committed to promoting inclusivity wherever I work. I am very excited to keep exploring microbiome research and contributing to meaningful projects.

If you are working on any projects or know of opportunities that align with my interests, or you think would, I’d love to hear from you! You can connect with me through LinkedIn, or X (formerly Twitter), or reach out via email. You can also schedule a time to chat with me here. Let’s work together to push the boundaries of science and make a real difference!

Seeking Opportunities: Building a Career in Microbiome Research, Molecular Toxicology, and Beyond