By Chioma Obinna

“Never allow your background to put your back to the ground.” This adage shaped the resilience and determination of Ayomide, a girl child born and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Overcoming the challenges of poverty, low self-esteem, and limited healthcare, she transformed adversity into a catalyst for success, refusing to let her circumstances define her future.

Ayomide’s academic journey began with a dream—one that came to life when she was admitted to Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria, to study Biochemistry. As a first-generation student, Ayomide often grappled with self-doubt, fearing her aspirations might be deemed too ambitious given her background. But determination fueled her resolve. Her hard work and dedication earned her the prestigious Vice Chancellor Scholarship Award in her second year, an achievement that cemented her place as a scholar to watch and a testament to her academic potential and determination.

Recalling the moment she received the award from Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, Ayomide shared, “I kept asking myself if this was real. Yes, it’s real. Dreams do come true.” This milestone propelled her to even greater heights, inspiring her to contribute academically and socially to the LASU community.

Ayomide’s undergraduate years were marked by significant achievements. In 2017, she tutored 50 first-year students in General Chemistry, achieving a remarkable 90% success rate. Beyond academics, she volunteered at the Primary Health Care Centre in Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria, where she educated the community on polio vaccination. Despite juggling part-time jobs to support herself, she graduated as the best female student in the Department of Biochemistry, becoming the first female graduate in her family.

During her mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year, Ayomide served as a peer educator trainer, teaching senior secondary students about reproductive health and adolescent challenges. Her passion for impacting lives remained unwavering, even beyond her academic commitments.

A pivotal moment in Ayomide’s journey came during her final undergraduate year when she lost a neighbor to breast cancer. This personal tragedy spurred her interest in cancer research, leading her to join the Cancer Genomics Laboratory (CGL) at Covenant University, Nigeria, a highly ranked Nigeria’s top University in 2025, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 6th in Sub-Saharan Africa and the 1st in West Africa, Nigeria. At CGL, Ayomide worked as a research scientist and collaborated with Oncologists, Medical Doctors, Biochemists, and Microbiologists on cancer research projects.

She was a part of the team that performed two – days of Prostate Cancer Screening exercises for over 200 men of 40 years and above at Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, Ikorodu, Nigeria, on November 12, 2022, due to the highest number of cancer cases from the region. A project of the Inclusive Cancer Care Research Equity (iCCaRE) for Black Men Consortium, funded by the US Department of Defence. Ayomide co-authored ten research articles and honed her skills in data analysis and research conceptualization.

Her dedication to research was further recognised when she was awarded the prestigious H3ABioNet Scholarship in 2022, funded by the NIH Common Fund.
This opportunity allowed her to develop bioinformatics skills and delve deeper into genomics data analysis. In the same year, Ayomide received a scholarship from the Institute of Bioinformatics and Molecular Therapeutics, further solidifying her commitment to academic and research excellence.

Ayomide’s remarkable achievements culminated in a fully funded PhD offer at Purdue University’s Interdisciplinary Life Science Program. Her exceptional potential earned her the highly competitive Lynn Fellowship, awarded to only the most outstanding applicants.

She recently joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame, USA.

From humble beginnings in Abeokuta to global recognition, Ayomide’s journey is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the power of education. Her story inspires countless others to dream beyond their circumstances, proving that the right attitude and perseverance can break any barrier.