Center Staff
Meet Our Center Staff
Meet the personnel working at our center
Zaid Muhammad
Offsite Coordinator
Zaid is a Research Assistant at BioRTC and a Graduate Assistant at the Department of Human Physiology, Yobe State University, Nigeria. He also serves as the Offsite Coordinator for BioRTC. He 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.
Kundi Umar Muhammad
Ag Laboratory Manager Admin
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).
Dawoud Usman
Ag Laboratory Manager Technical
Dawoud is a research assistant working under Dr Mahmoud Bukar Maina. He currently works on generating induced pluripotent stem cells from indigenous Nigerians to decipher the role of African genetic background in dementia. Prior to this, he studied and researched for CAMRET at Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, Nigeria. 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.
Muhammad Mustapha
Laboratory Technologist
Muhammad Mustapha is a technologist at BioRTC. He also contributes his expertise to various research projects in the centre, including Dr. Takeshi’s project on the visual system of the Agama lizard. Additionally, Muhammad contributes to a project on gene deletion in malaria in the local population. Muhammad earned a HND in Chemistry/Biochemistry with Upper credit
Mohammed Umar
Acting Head, Fly Biology Unit
He is the acting head Fly Biology Unit at BioRTC, conducting neuroscience research with Drosophila melanogaster. His unit combines molecular biology, computation, and genetics to study nervous system function. His work involves neurobehavioral studies, imaging, and genomics. His expertise includes microscopy, bioinformatics, and bioimage analysis. He also lectures in Human Anatomy at Yobe State University's College of Medical Sciences.
Abdullahi Umar Mustapha
Bioengineer
Abdullahi Umar Mustapha is a skilled Bioengineer at BioRTC with extensive experience in electrical and electronics. His practical expertise originated from working in his father's engineering workshop, where he honed his skills in building and repairing diverse equipment. This background equips him excellently for maintaining, constructing, and upcycling equipment at BioRTC. Additionally, he holds a Diploma in Public Health from Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, enriching his interdisciplinary knowledge base.
Ganiyu Kaosara
Research assistant
Meet Ganiyu Kaosara, the new research assistant at BioRTC working under Dr. Mahmoud Bukar Maina. She is currently supporting in carrying out a research on understanding the roles of Nuclear Tau in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Kaosara studied physiology at the University of Ilorin where she graduated on top of her class. She has also received several local and international awards like the university's and the physiological society's undergraduate awards respectively, in recognition of her stellar achievements. She also spent the last 3 months of her NYSC service at the lab, making her the first corp member to work with us at BioRTC. Outside research and academics, Kaosara enjoys reading, volunteering, and sports.