Center Staff
Meet Our Center Staff
Meet the personnel working at our center
Dr Murtala Isah Bindawa
Centre Manager & Investigator
Researcher
Murtala currently holds dual roles at BioRTC as the Centre Manager and an investigator. In addition to these responsibilities, he serves as a faculty member at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University in Katsina. Murtala earned his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa
Murtala obtained a BSc Biochemistry degree from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 2011. Between 2013 and 2019, he obtained MSc and PhD degrees in Biochemistry from University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. He has published a number of scientific research and review articles in the field of parasitology and metabolic disorders. Murtala has continued his personal and collaborative research aiming at advancing the therapeutic and diagnostic tools against infectious diseases, mainly malaria and African trypanosomiasis. Through Murtala’s effort, the faculty Natural Applied Sciences at UMYU received research equipment donation worth over $100 000 from Seeding Labs USA. He is a member of the Nigerian Young Academy, a junior affiliate of the Nigerian Academy of Science.
Zaid Muhammad
Research Assistant
Zaid is a Research Assistant at BioRTC and a Graduate Assistant at the Department of Human Physiology, Yobe State University, Nigeria. He also holds an MSc in Neuroscience with distinction from the University of Sussex. He is an alumnus of many neuroscience summer schools organised by TReND in Africa.
Zaid Muhammad obtained a BSc in Human Physiology from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU) Nigeria, during which he worked on metal toxicity and its effects on rodents. He is currently pursuing an MSc in the same institution where his work focuses on the effect of a plant extract against amyloid beta aggregation and Tau phosphorylation in Drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer’s disease. Zaid is an alumnus of many TReND in Africa schools, including the IBRO-ARC TReND School on Invertebrate Neuroscience held in Ghana in 2019. Through this schools, he has acquired skills in basic molecular biology techniques and handling of Drosophila melanogaster. Zaid is a fellow of the African Science Literacy Network, a member of the Neuroscience Society of Nigeria (NSN), Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA), Physiological Society of Nigeria (PSN) and international movement disorder society (MDS).
Abdulrahman Alkhamis Idris
Onsite Assistant
Abdulrahman Alkhamis Idris serves as one of the onsite assistants at BioRTC, where he ensures the smooth operation of activities. Concurrently, he is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Human Physiology at the College of Medical Sciences, Yobe State University. His expertise includes hands-on usage of Drosophila melanogaster in neuroscience research
Abdulrahman Alkhamis obtained his BSc in Human Physiology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria and MSc in Neurophysiology. His MSc work uncovered the potential antidepressant effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa in chlorpromazine induced depression in Drosophila melanogaster. He is currently enrolled for PhD at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Abdulrahman Alkhamis is passionate about promoting public understanding of science. He is one of the onside assistants for BioRTC, helping to ensure activities in the newly established centre run smoothly.
Kundi Umar Muhammad
Technician
Kundi is a Laboratory Technician and Lab Manager at BioRTC. He also serves as BioRTC onsite Research Assistant to Prof. Takeshi Yoshimatsu (Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, USA).
Their research aims to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the formation of the normal retina and uncover genetic factors that cause retinal neurodegenerative diseases. To this end, they will use various vertebrate model animals to investigate how disruption of disease-associated genes impacts the formation and the degeneration of retinal function and structures. They employ various cutting-edge techniques such as: CRISPR/Cas9 gene knock-out, Confocal microscopy, Immunostaining, Neural circuit reconstruction from electron-microscopy images, Computational animal behavioral analysis.
A side of scientific research Kundi is enthusiastic on Laboratory Management, Training of Users, Helping with the execution of some Complex experiments, among others
Larema Baba Zau
BioRTC Liaison Officer YSUTH
Larema Baba Zau is a Principal Medical Laboratory Scientist who currently holds multiple key positions at Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu. He serves as the BioRTC Liaison Officer and is also the Ag Deputy HOD of the Medical Laboratory Services Department, while also acting as the Unit Head of the Chemical Pathology Unit.
With his specialized knowledge in chemical pathology, Larema is currently conducting research on Renal Disease, and has a particular interest in Endocrinology and Diabetes Research. As a dedicated healthcare professional, he is committed to enhancing his expertise in these areas to improve patient outcomes. He’s also working on open source and bioengineering projects presently in BioRTC.
Muhammad Mustapha
Technician
Muhammad Mustapha serves as a technician at BioRTC. He obtained his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Chemistry/Biochemistry from the Federal Polytechnic Damaturu
Hauwa Mohamed
Financial Officer
Hauwa Mohamed is the Financial Officer at BioRTC. She has obtained a National Diploma in Accounting with a second-class upper division (2:1), as well as a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accounting with a similar distinction from Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri. Additionally, Hauwa holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Economics from the University of Maiduguri, where she graduated with a second-class upper division (2:1).
Dawoud Usman
Research Assistant
Dawoud is Dr. Mainas research assistant. He currently works on an induced pluripotent stem cell project. Prior to this, he studied and researched for CAMRET. He is a nascent and valedictory graduate of physiology from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He has a penchant for basic and applied research, as well as community service. He is recipient of several awards including a prestigious Sigma Xi/National Academy of Science Grant. He is experienced in Drosophila research, murine investigations, mammalian cell culture, field research, hospice (clinical physiology), several wet and dry lab techniques.
