Dr. Ijeoma Ifeorah’s scientific journey is a testament to how strategic skills development and mentorship translate into international recognition and tangible research success. After participating in the NIMR Foundation’s GMTP, she experienced what she described as a “360-degree” transformation in her research career — expanding both her grant-writing capacity and her professional research network. “The GMTP organised by the NIMR Foundation has really helped me to not just improve my grant writing skills ability, but it has supported me in winning some grants of my own. “Apart from winning these grants, I have also gained access to mentors who have impacted my career positively and access to peer mentors that I have collaborated with,” Her post-GMTP achievements are noteworthy and internationally recognised: she secured but not limited to four key research awards and fellowships, including prestigious support from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) - Beginner Investigator Grant for Catalytic Research, the African Research Excellence Fund (AREF) Development Fellowship, an institutional seed award from Northwestern University, USA, and a World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) fellowship that included a three-month advanced training in Germany. Her work focuses on identifying molecular markers and epigenetic changes in high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), with the potential to improve early detection and surveillance of cervical cancer in Nigerian populations.
Dr. Ismail Ayoade Odetokun’s career exemplifies how rigorous research training and global partnership can tackle some of the most pressing health challenges of our time. Following his participation in the GMTP, Dr. Odetokun strengthened his scientific communication and strategic grant development skills — positioning him to compete successfully for major international funding. In 2024, he led a research consortium awarded a 1.6 million Canadian dollar grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. This consortium, comprising collaborators from Nigeria, Spain, and the United Kingdom, is working to develop bacteriocin-rich extracts as innovative alternatives to conventional antibiotics for therapeutic use in livestock and aquaculture — a critical area in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. The project not only advances scientific innovation in veterinary and food-animal health but also builds research capacity by engaging postgraduate students and fostering cross-continental collaboration.
Dr. Victor Ayeni’s research is deeply rooted in service — particularly in improving outcomes for newborns and children. His participation in the GMTP equipped him with clearer strategies for structuring research proposals and positioning his ideas in ways that align with competitive funding priorities. Less than four months after completing the GMTP, Dr. Ayeni was awarded a Grand Challenges Nigeria 2025/2026 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Seed Grant to fund a research project aimed at reducing disabilities associated with birth asphyxia — a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. “The training helped me to refine my thoughts and how best to compose the thoughts in a way to win funding for research. Part of what I also learnt was personal development goals and this prepared me ahead when the call for the grant was announced and I got the grant.” His story underscores how targeted capacity building enables clinical researchers to convert passion into funded research that promises real impact on maternal and newborn health.
Dr. Lawrence Dayo Adedayo’s experience illustrates how structured capacity building can broaden professional horizons and elevate research success. As a GMTP Fellow, he enhanced his scientific writing, proposal development, and grant-capture skills, positioning him for competitive international recognition. After his GMTP training, Dr. Adedayo secured multiple research awards, including a grant from the International Society of Neurochemistry that provided him opportunities to participate in advanced global neuroscience training in both Morocco and Malaysia. He also received a TETFund Institution-Based Research grant, further strengthening his portfolio of competitively won, peer-reviewed funding. His work in neurodegenerative disease and neuroinflammation research not only advances scientific knowledge, but also contributes toward the development of novel therapeutic strategies — a critical priority in a region where neurological health challenges often remain under-resourced.
