Dr Ayodele Morakinyo

My contributions to science and the impact this has had on society

Science Outreach: I currently serve as a mentor for the Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development (SEED) Project Competition in collaboration with the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), a role I have been playing since 2012 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlumberger_SEED). The SEED project gives secondary school students and teachers the opportunity to work together on a research project. The project should ignite a passion for science as participants apply the knowledge learnt in STEM subjects on learning activity planned and carried out by students and teachers working together guided by an expert / mentor, over a period of time. Science Open-Lab Day (SOLD): Last year, I organized “SOLD” for secondary school students. This one-day event brought together over 40 junior secondary school students in our lab and they were introduced to biological science through simple, fun and interactive experiments as a way to motivate the interest of the children and especially the girl-child to pursue a STEM career. Following the success of the maiden edition, I also organized the second edition with over 60 students and now in the process of scaling it up with the third edition next year. I had a proposal submitted to the US Consulate in Lagos for a small grant funding for that purpose. Public Engagement with Science: I have participated in multiple science-related programs on radio stations including the University of Lagos radio, UNILAG FM, to further the awareness of science. I presented my some of my research work especially those that border on nutrition and diet (http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0034/ea0034P237.htm) to non-science audience as means of educating the public about research findings, and also as a way of engaging the public in debate about the significance of the study.