I am a Wellcome Career Development Fellow, Founder and Director of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) in Yobe State, Nigeria. I am also Professor of Neuroscience at Newgate University Minna and Visiting Professor of Neuroscience at Sussex Neuroscience, University of Sussex, United Kingdom.

My research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease and related tauopathies and how genetic ancestry influences disease pathogenesis. My team integrates human cohorts, genomics and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to investigate neurodegenerative disease across genetically diverse populations. I founded the African iPSC Initiative, through which we are developing iPSC and somatic cell resources from indigenous African populations to improve their representation in biomedical research and enable ancestry-informed studies of disease mechanisms.

Alongside my research, I have worked extensively to strengthen scientific capacity and research infrastructure in Africa. I founded BioRTC in response to limitations in access to advanced research infrastructure, technologies and training, and have contributed to several initiatives supporting scientific training, open science, science communication and equitable international research partnerships across Africa.

I serve as Honorary Special Adviser on Science, Research and Innovation to the Governor of Yobe State and contribute to several scientific and research advisory bodies. My contributions to neuroscience, research capacity building and diversity have been recognised through honours including selection to the EMBO Global Investigator Network, The Transmitter’s Rising Stars in Neuroscience, the Vivensa Academy Rising Star Excellence Award and the ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize. I also hold the traditional title of Shettima Ilmuye (Custodian of Knowledge) of the Damaturu Emirate, Nigeria.