About Me

Academic Background

My academic journey began at the University of Nigeria, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. This foundational education sparked my deep interest in molecular science and its application in drug discovery. I later pursued a master's degree at Taipei Medical University in Taiwan, where I focused on the rational design and discovery of novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors for the treatment of glioblastoma. My dedication and commitment were recognized when I was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Award by the Ministry of Education, Taiwan Government, in 2023.

Research Journey

My transition from pharmacy to applied computational medicinal chemistry has been a transformative experience. During my undergraduate years, I was introduced to computational drug design, and this piqued my interest in using technology to solve complex biological problems. I joined Professor Ngozi Nwodo’s lab as a student research assistant, where I honed my skills in de novo ligand design, molecular docking, and virtual screening. After graduation, I continued my research journey, contributing to projects focused on antimalarial drug discovery and the development of inhibitors for various infectious diseases.

At Taipei Medical University, I conducted research on HDAC inhibitors, where I utilized organic synthesis to design potential therapeutic agents. My work during my pre-doctoral internship at the Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, further broadened my expertise as I explored peptide aggregation through molecular dynamics simulation.

Current Focus and Future Aspirations

Now at the University of Michigan, I am part of the Biomolecules Innovation Team (U-M BIT), led by Professor Robert Cichewicz. My current research focuses on utilizing computational tools and Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis to design and understand peptides with the potential to transform into life-saving drugs, particularly in the context of anti-infective agents.

Looking ahead, I am eager to continue pushing the boundaries of computational medicinal chemistry and peptide synthesis for drug discovery, contributing to breakthroughs that can address global health challenges.