The Ife Institute of Advanced Studies announced the recipient of the IIAS Science Small Grants Competition today in a virtual event held via Zoom. The IIAS Small Grants initiative began in 2022 with 5 recipients selected in the Humanities and Social Sciences broadly defined. Two rounds of grants have been awarded under the IIAS Small Grants initiative. This year, the Institute launched the IIAS Science Small Grants, and the first set of recipients for IIAS Science has been announced.

Recipients

AFOLABI ADEBUKUNOLA Olajumoke

Olajumoke is a registered (nurse, midwife, public health nurse) and is currently a doctoral student at the Department of Nursing, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. She is passionate about Maternal, Child health, Gender and Policy issues. She envisions health system research which offers a global best professionalism in planning, organizing and delivery of quality care to women and the newborn child across all settings. She has conceptualized, collaborated, authored, co-authored and published several empirical studies in the last 5 years with findings shared with relevant authorities for appropriate policy decisions. Olajumoke would be conducting the research, “Gender Dynamics Related to Adolescents’ Sexual   Behaviours Among University Undergraduates in Osun State, Nigeria” for the IIAS Science Small Grant.

Charity Kanyika-Mbewe

Charity is an analytical and environmental chemist, with experience in water quality, water resources management, engineering, and development. Initially trained as a pure chemist and later specialized in water quality and environment as an applied chemist. She is currently doing a PhD in Applied Chemistry specializing in Water Resources, Management, and Development at Mzuzu University, Malawi. She possesses a Master’s degree in Water Resources and Supply Management from the University of Malawi’s Polytechnic College (currently called the Malawi University of Business and Applied Studies). She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Mzuzu University. She has experience in research and development and published my scholarly work in a high-impact international journal. She will be studying “Ecotoxicology of Synthetic Pesticides in Rice Growing Areas of Karonga, Northern Malawi” for the IIAS Science Small Grant.

Robert Kwesi Reeks

Robert is a Masters student in the department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School. His Research Interest is in Biomarkers and Diseases His Undergraduate Research Was on “Assessing the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Trichoderma Viride”. He will be researching “Ferritin, Osteocalcin and Serum Bone Specific Alkaline Phosphatase (Bap) Levels in Sickle Cell Disease Pain Without Malaria.” for the IIAS Science Small Grant.

Damilola Olanipon

Damilola is a lecturer in the department of biological sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti. Her research encompasses plant biotechnology with respect to molecular biology. She recently completed my PhD in Plant Science and Biotechnology and She has published up to 8 articles and a book chapter. She has also presented her research findings in conferences both to local and international audiences. She is committed to making use of opportunities to develop herself. She will be researching “In-Vitro Micropropagation and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity of African Eggplant (Solanum Macrocapon L.) – An Underutilized Indigenous Vegetable” for the IIAS Science Smal Grant.

Omolola Oshosanya

Omolola is a Doctoral Student in the Department of Soil Science at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Her research focuses on the use of geospatial technology in agriculture.

Each of the Grantees will be mentored by a senior Scholar.