Humble beginnings, inspiring Impact of Abayomi Emmanuel Adegboyega

Abayomi Adegboyega’s journey from modest beginnings in Nigeria to global scientific acclaim is a story of resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of education.

Raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to support her four children, Abayomi grew up amid financial hardships that could have limited his dreams. Reflecting on his early challenges, he shared, “My mum often went to bed without eating so we could eat. Despite everything, she prioritized giving us a quality education.” This profound dedication instilled in him a strong commitment to his studies, setting him on a path to academic and research excellence.

Our research reveals that Abayomi’s academic excellence was recognized early on, leading to a scholarship at Jobabeg International Nursery and Primary School in Aisegba Ekiti, where he began part of his primary education before completing it at God’s Grace Standard School. For secondary education, he attended Christ School in Ado Ekiti, where his brilliance in chemistry earned him the nickname “Ababio,” in honor of the renowned Ghanaian chemistry author Osei Yaw Ababio. This nickname reflects his deep understanding of complex scientific concepts. Known for his exceptional memory and enthusiasm for learning, he quickly distinguished himself among his peers, laying a strong foundation for his future in scientific research. His drive and discipline persisted through university, where he graduated with first-class honors in biochemistry from Adekunle Ajasin University and later earned a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Jos, Nigeria.

When asked how he achieved this distinction, he replied, “I was too focused to be distracted! Knowing my background, I understood that I needed to give my all academically, so I spent most nights studying.”

In 2021, Abayomi was named an EducationUSA scholar and awarded the Opportunity Funds grant, which covered his application expenses for U.S. institutions. His academic achievements and dedication eventually earned him a fully funded PhD offer, a Graduate Research Assistantship, and the Gilham PI4D Fellow award at Purdue University’s Department of Biological Sciences in 2022—an honorary award given to the brightest students in the entering graduate class. Recognizing his research potential, he was later awarded the prestigious Lynn Fellowship by Purdue’s Computational Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (CIGP) during his second year.

Throughout his studies, Abayomi took on numerous leadership roles that shaped his organizational skills and commitment to service. He served as President of a campus fellowship and General Coordinator of his department’s fellowship, positions through which he supported his peers and contributed to his academic community, all while managing the demands of his studies and research.

As of this interview, Abayomi Adegboyega has contributed to numerous research projects, resulting in around forty (40) scholarly publications, including a book chapter, all featured in reputable international journals. His research spans the development of antiviral compounds—such as potential COVID-19 drug candidates—as well as anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimalarial drug candidates, utilizing computational methods to accelerate discovery.

Drawing on his extensive expertise in biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics—and more than five years of hands-on experience in computer-aided drug design—Abayomi founded the Jaris Computational Biology Centre in Jos, Nigeria, in 2020. Since then, the center has held over ten workshops and conferences on computational drug design, partnering with institutions like Chrisland University and Baze University. His most recent event in January 2024 featured a Cryo-EM and CryoVR augmented workshop in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry, University of Jos and Professors from Purdue University, USA. Committed to accessibility and inclusivity, Abayomi hosts these conferences as hybrid events, allowing Jaris to train over a thousand participants from Nigeria and beyond, making it a highly impactful resource in the scientific community.

In his talk, Abayomi expressed his gratitude for the dedication and contributions of esteemed scientists who supported his vision for establishing the Jaris Computational Biology Centre. He recognized Professor Titilayo Johnson, a biochemist; Opeyemi Iwaloye, a biochemist; Professor Taiwo Alemika, a pharmaceutical chemist; Professor Simeon Omale, a pharmacist; and Dr. Grace Inioluwa Johnson, a medical doctor and his wife. He stated, “Without them, I could not have driven the successful vision of starting this organization.” Together, they continue to advance groundbreaking research and training initiatives in computational biology and drug design.

Adegboyega’s achievements are not solely measured by his scientific breakthroughs; they are equally reflected in his impact on the lives of those he mentors. He has inspired countless young scientists, proving that, regardless of one’s background, dedication and a commitment to excellence can lead to success.

Looking ahead, Abayomi Adegboyega envisions a future where African researchers play a pivotal role in solving global health challenges. He aims to create research programs and initiatives that support emerging scientists, fostering a robust scientific community in Nigeria and beyond.

His journey indeed serves as a source of inspiration and a reminder that greatness is achievable, no matter where one begins.