*Photo: -Dr. Charity Asikhia*
Read the story of his odyssey From Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) to the University of Ottawa and the role played by his lecturer turn Mentor Professor Ola Salawu :
By Dr. Charity Asikhia
The Department of Biochemistry at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), class of 2015, set the stage for my academic journey.
This journey culminated in the successful defense of my PhD in medicine, with a thesis option in biochemistry, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada, class of 2024.
My thesis, “Exploring Alternate Conformations of PCSK9: Effects on LDL, LDL Receptor Binding, and Inflammation”, delved into the role of PCSK9, a protein that regulates low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and the associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
I mainly focused on the cleaved variant of this protein in the context of atherosclerosis, a challenging and rewarding journey.
Before I started my PhD, I completed coursework toward a Master of Science—Medicine—from the same university.
After four terms, I transferred to the PhD program against the usually prescribed 5 to 6 terms—a testament to my zealousness, determination, and resilience.
Before moving to Ottawa, Canada, I worked as a medical supply intern at the Suomen Punainen Risti (Finnish Red Cross) and as a laboratory technician in the Biogeochemistry Research Group at the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio campus.
Despite English not being Finland’s official language, I embraced the challenge.
I mastered the Finnish Language within a year, a testament to my ability to adapt and learn quickly, a skill I was equipped with as a FUTA product.
I am grateful to my former supervisor-turned-friend, Professor Ola Salawu, for his continuous support throughout my academic journey.
I currently work for an AI company as a contributor to the Molecular Biology and Genetics Domain expert group; however, Professor O. Salawu has continued to support me.
