In the realm of academic perseverance and triumph, Olamide Oluwatade stands as a testament to resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence. Graduating with First-Class Honors in Mathematics from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, Olamide’s journey is marked by overcoming four admission rejections, personal loss, and financial challenges to emerge as the best student in her department.

A Remarkable Academic Scholar and Data Science EnthusiastOlamide Oluwatade, a proud graduate of Mathematics, showcases a profound passion for knowledge in both Mathematics and Computer Science. On her LinkedIn profile, she describes herself as a Graduate Assistant, Data Scientist, Data Analyst, and Statistician. Her journey reflects an insatiable desire to explore new frontiers, evident in her transition into the field of data science after her Bachelor’s degree.

Academic Excellence Against All OddsOlamide’s academic journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Facing four years of rejection in her pursuit of studying medicine, she pivoted towards Mathematics—a subject she excelled in. A week before her university entrance exam, tragedy struck as she lost her father, adding an emotional burden to her academic pursuits. Undeterred by the challenges, Olamide found solace in her determination to succeed.

“I graduated as the best and only first-class female graduating student from my Department (Mathematics), University of Ilorin, with a Cumulative grade point average of 4.65,” Olamide proudly shared on her LinkedIn page. Her outstanding achievement positions her as the sole female first-class graduate and the best-graduating student in her department.

Resilience in the Face of Personal LossThe loss of her father, a week before the university entrance exam, tested Olamide’s strength. She not only coped with personal grief but also navigated the financial strain on her family. Despite the hurdles, she secured admission to the University of Ilorin—a pivotal moment that presented both opportunities and challenges.

Balancing Academia and Extracurricular EngagementOlamide’s journey is not solely defined by academic accomplishments. Engaging in extracurricular activities, she served as the Student Representative Council for two years, contributed to the female football team of her department, and volunteered in tutorials for fellow students. Her commitment extended to being selected as the financial secretary for the final year department committee, showcasing her holistic approach to university life.

The Next Chapter: Pursuing Master’s in the United StatesFollowing her triumphs in Nigeria, Olamide set her sights on international academia. A fully funded scholarship led her to the United States, where she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Statistics and Data Science at the University of Idaho. Her LinkedIn post from a year ago expresses gratitude for the opportunities, scholarships, jobs, and internships that followed her public celebration of academic success.

Conclusion: A Source of InspirationOlamide Oluwatade’s journey serves as a beacon of inspiration for individuals facing rejection, personal loss, and financial constraints. Her story illustrates the power of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of one’s passion. As she continues her academic journey in the United States, Olamide remains a source of inspiration for aspiring scholars, reminding them that excellence can be achieved against all odds.

Osh Agabi, a Nigerian scientist and entrepreneur, envisions a groundbreaking future for computing: the development of chips fueled by living neurons. His business, Koniku, asserts to be the first and only manufacturer of these chips, which have potential uses in robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and security.

When Agabi was employed in Switzerland as a robotics engineer, he trained a robotic arm to classify items, which sparked his interest in neurology and machine learning. He subsequently pursued his PhD in bioengineering and his Masters in theoretical physics, concentrating on how to connect robots and neurons. He sought to develop a robotic arm that could be attached to an amputee and operated by their brain.

He soon discovered, though, that the available technology for coupling neurons and machines was constrained and ineffective. He pondered whether it was possible to reverse the process and improve machines rather than using neurons. After entering the San Francisco biotech accelerator IndieBio in 2015, he made the decision to launch Koniku.

With Koniku’s technique, neurons are grown in a lab and then integrated into silicon chips. To increase their stability and receptivity to electrical signals, the neurons have undergone genetic modification. The chips can then function similarly to the human brain in processing information and learning from their surroundings.