Brilliant Lady Graduates with Microbiology Degree, Earns 4.78 GPA and Best Graduating Student Award

Adesoyin Aderanti, a prodigious talent from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria, has set a remarkable benchmark in academic excellence and leadership. Graduating with a stellar cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.78 out of 5.00, she not only earned her degree in Microbiology with first-class honors but also secured the prestigious award of the Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Science.

A Journey of Academic Brilliance and Versatility

Adesoyin‘s academic journey at OAU is a testament to her dedication and intellectual prowess. Despite not aiming for a first-class degree initially, her consistent hard work and determination led her to excel beyond expectations. She openly shared her journey on social media, expressing gratitude to God and acknowledging that she did not start as a first-class student. Her primary goal was to perform well academically, but her drive and passion propelled her to achieve extraordinary success.

Throughout her undergraduate years, Adesoyin balanced her rigorous academic pursuits with a multitude of extracurricular activities. She was actively involved in creative and professional writing, editing, filmmaking, content creation, fashion designing, spoken word, and even politics. Her ability to juggle these diverse interests alongside her studies highlights her exceptional time management and multifaceted talent.

Recognized and Celebrated

Adesoyin’s remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed. At her graduation, she received four notable awards:

• Professor A.F. Oluwole Prize for the Best Graduating Student with the highest CGPA in the Faculty of Science.
• Tola Olukilede Prize for the Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Science.
• Professor Olu Odeyemi Prize for the Best Graduating Student in the B.Sc. Microbiology program.
• Dr. Bridget Omafuvbe Prize for the Best Female Graduating Student in the Department of Microbiology.

These accolades reflect her exceptional academic performance and her contributions to the scientific community at OAU.

Impact and Aspirations

Adesoyin’s influence extends beyond her academic accomplishments. As the National Vice President of the National Association of Microbiology Students, she has significantly impacted the lives of many microbiology students across Nigeria. Her leadership and mentorship have inspired peers to strive for excellence and engage actively in their fields.

Her interests in science communication, genetics, and molecular biology demonstrate her commitment to advancing knowledge and contributing to society. She expressed her eagerness to pursue opportunities that align with these fields, aiming to make substantial contributions on a global scale.

Bridging Science and Creativity

Adesoyin’s academic prowess is complemented by her contributions to scientific literature. Her article on Blighia sapida, published on the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) website, underscores her research on the plant’s antimicrobial properties. This work is particularly relevant given the high death rates in Africa due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Her research emphasizes the potential of ethnobotany in addressing AMR, highlighting the importance of affordable and accessible solutions in healthcare.

In her words, she credits her mentors and the editorial team at ASM for their guidance and support in refining her writing. Adesoyin’s commitment to science communication is evident as she seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding, a crucial endeavor for the advancement of global health.

A Vision for the Future

Currently awaiting her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployment, Adesoyin is keen on roles that allow her to contribute and learn in science communication, genetics, and molecular biology. Her aspirations also include a career in medical writing and corporate communications, fields where she can leverage her expertise to make a broader impact.

Her dedication to volunteerism through initiatives like “The Soul Beauty Initiative,” which focuses on alleviating poverty and increasing STEM participation among young children in Nigeria, further showcases her commitment to societal development.

In her free time, Adesoyin enjoys reading, watching movies, and podcasting, pursuits that enrich her creative and intellectual repertoire.

Conclusion

Adesoyin Aderanti is a shining example of academic excellence, leadership, and versatility. Her journey from an ambitious undergraduate to a distinguished graduate is an inspiration to many. As she steps into the next phase of her career, the world can expect significant contributions from this brilliant mind in the realms of microbiology, science communication, and beyond.

In a remarkable achievement that highlights the potential of African innovation, 26-year-old Charlette N’Guessan from Ivory Coast has made history by becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. N’Guessan and her team received this accolade for their groundbreaking work on the BACE API, a digital verification system leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and facial recognition technology to combat identity fraud and enhance cybersecurity across the continent.

The BACE API, the brainchild of N’Guessan and her team, addresses a significant challenge in Africa: reliable identity verification. Unlike traditional methods that often require physical presence or extensive hardware, BACE API can verify identities remotely and in real-time using a live photo or a short video captured on a user’s device. This image is then matched against the user’s submitted identification documents, such as passports or ID cards.

“For the person trying to submit their application, we ask them to switch on their camera to make sure the person behind the camera is real, and not a robot,” N’Guessan explained. “We are able to capture the face of the person live and match their image with the one on the existing document the person submitted.”

The inspiration for BACE API emerged while N’Guessan was studying at the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) in Accra, Ghana. Through interactions with tech entrepreneurs, she and her team identified a pervasive issue of cybersecurity and identity fraud within Ghanaian financial institutions, which spend approximately $400 million annually to verify their customers’ identities. Read more about Charlette here.

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