1. What do you do in your current role with Tuskegee University? I am a Research-Extension Assistant Professor in the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences involved in teaching, research, and extension. I teach courses in Food Chemistry, Food Analysis and Nutritional Biochemistry. My research is focused on food bioactive compounds, functional foods and nutraceuticals and their application in the treatment and management of metabolic disorders, especially hypertension and oxidative stress. I also apply metabolomics approach to understand possible biomarkers and potential mechanisms of actions of these bioactive compounds. My extension activities will be built around these, especially in the rural Alabama Black Belt Counties to eduate people about their health and nutrition.
2. How long have you worked in this position? I am a relatively new faculty member and started the position on September 1, 2021. So, I can say that I have been on the job for almost 8 months now.
3. What is your favorite part about the work you do? I love imparting knowledge and changing lives, especially for my students and those I meet.
4. Are you participating with Extension? I have not actually started any extension outreach activities but hopes to start in the coming days after the end of the Spring semester examinations. I have a tour scheduled to a local blueberry farm here in Tuskegee with my graduate student in May 2022. I am also working in a large consortium that will be traveling in the summer to Ghana on an outreach program to assess the capacity of local small scale farm gate food processing outfits.
5. What is something your CAENS and TU Extension teammates may not know about you? I am someone that is very easy to work with and deeply committed to whatever I do. I love new challenges that brings out the best in me. I also like exploring new opportunities.
6. What is your hometown, place of high school graduation, and degrees/universities? I am originally from Ankpa in Kogi State, Nigeria, though I have been in the United States for quite some time now. I had my High school education in Ankpa and my bachelor's and master's degrees both in Food Science and Technology from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria, I had my PhD in Human Nutritional Sciences from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.