Research Fellows

Dr Murtala Isah Bindawa

Research Fellow

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.

Dr Rashidatu Abdulazeez

Research Fellow

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Rashidatu Abdulazeez serves dual roles as a faculty member at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and a Research Fellow at BioRTC. She is a passionate Drosophila researcher dedicated to changing biomedical research and biology education in Nigeria using Drosophila. She has already made significant contributions in ecotoxicology and population epigenetics of Nigerian Drosophila. Rashidatu is also the founder of the Droso4Nigeria hub and an influential mentor, fostering collaboration and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

Mahmood Usman

Research Assistant

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Mahamood Usman is a Research Assistant Fellow at the BioRTC, currently working on Dr. Takeshi's project, the visual system of Agama lizard. He is a PhD student at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and also a lecturer at the Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano.

Dawoud Usman

Research Assistant

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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.

Muktar Lawan

Research Assistant

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Muktar Lawan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Physiology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master of Science degree in Human Physiology from Bayero University, Kano, with a specialization in Neurophysiology. He is currently a research assistant at Maina’s Lab, where he works on projects involving induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and fibroblasts derived from the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus). His current research focuses on investigating the effects of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) on nucleolar dynamics in SH-SY5Y cells using hyperspectral imaging and Phasor analysis. Muktar received advanced training in hyperspectral imaging and Phasor analysis at the Institut Pasteur Montevideo, Advanced Bioimaging Unit, Uruguay, and is a recipient of a travel grant from The Company of Biologists

Blessing Ugemuge Oritsetimeyin

Research Assistant

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Mubarak Ismail

Research Assistant

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Mubarak Ismail is a Research Assistant at BioRTC. He currently works on an induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) project for dementia research. Additionally, he is also involved in malaria research and Open Science (Open Resource Hardware). He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina.

Alameen Mukhtar

Research Assistant

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Alameen Mukhtar is a research assistant at BioRTC with a deep passion for neuroscience. He is currently working on generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to advance the understanding of dementia within African populations. Alameen is highly skilled in molecular biology techniques and has a strong foundation in biochemistry and bioinformatics, with proven expertise in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with first-class honors from Umaru Musa Yar’adua University,Katsina.

Mohammed Bukar Maina

Research Assistant

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Mohammed Bukar Maina is a Research Assistant at BioRTC and serves as the Environmental Safety Coordinator. His work focuses on the impact of environmental exposures, particularly heavy metals, on human health. He is currently pursuing a PhD investigating the role of heavy metals in disease, building on his background in geology and environmental health. Mohammed holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology and a Master’s degree in Environmental Health.

Dr. Abba Mustapha Shettima

Research Fellow

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Dr. Abba Mustapha Shettima is a public health specialist with expertise in cardiovascular epidemiology and infectious diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS. His work focuses on understanding how socioeconomic and environmental factors shape health outcomes, using advanced analytical methods and natural experiments to inform evidence-based interventions. He has extensive experience across academia, government, and international health systems, contributing to large-scale public health programs and global health policy research. His work bridges research and practice, translating complex data into actionable strategies that improve population health. Dr. Shettima is passionate about advancing equitable health systems through rigorous research, collaboration, and policy innovation..