I am a female Nigerian born in Lagos state, Nigeria on the 10th September 1985, to the family of Late Maj. S O and Mrs. H B Ayayi. I attended primary and secondary school in Lagos, Nigeria.I completed my “O” level school certificate in Lagos state. I had my first degree at the University of Lagos, Nigeria where I received a Bachelor of Science Education (double honors) in Integrated Science Education from the department of Science and Technology Education, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, Akoka Lagos Nigeria.
My dissertation titled “A review of the Effective use of Improvised laboratory apparatus in Lagos secondary schools
Afterwards, I continued my academic training in the same university with a Master Degree in Botany, with a major in Phycology. There, I acquired my strong interest in the amazing importance of algae as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems and my will to prosecute my career by vastly deepening my knowledge of ecology. I worked as an Independent service contractor Online customer care representative at MTN Nigeria under CNSSL from 2013 to February 2015, a job i did for almost three years. I also had a stint as a Biology tutor at the National Open University of Nigeria in 2015.
I am currently a Doctoral Fellow in the department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa, under the supervision of Prof Afolayan.
My project topic is “Cultivation, nutrition and pharmacological evaluation of Celosia argentea L., a growing wild vegetable in the Eastern Cape, South Africa’’. I defended the proposal for my PhD Thesis on the 23th may, 2017 and I have started the research work. Soil was analysed and seeds were planted on it. I am currently taking data on the plants for first trial. My interest in the study is to improve the nutritional quality of the diet of people living in the Eastern Cape and beyond, by benefiting from the immense values in domesticating the wild edible vegetable (Celosia argentea).
I have attended academic conferences and workshops here in South Africa, Lists of some attended conferences are:
Techniques in Genomics and introductory phylogenetics. March 26th-28th- 2017.
food fortification with phytonutrients for the management of chronic disease. March 30th, 2017.
My educational background provided me a solid knowledge of the different theoretical subjects implied in the research project, and the capacity to integrate different disciplines. In addition, my academic and professional backgrounds have also permitted me to develop a keen attitude towards social interactions and communication among different partners. Finally, strong motivation and tenaciousness allowed me to acquire autonomously new working skills and the will to learn even more.
I am a flexible person, comfortable with working on my own or as a part of a team. I enjoy learning about new cultures and traveling.