Nigerian Student Graduates with PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry

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Identifying Possible Antitubercular Drug Candidates Targeting mtb-ftsz - a Computational Perspective, was the title of research which earned Nigerian student, Dr Akinpelu Ibrahim Olayinka a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

‘I am ecstatic and proud of myself for finally achieving one of my lifetime goals,’ said an elated Olayinka. ‘I decided in my second year as an undergraduate in 2009 that I wanted to do my PhD, and now the dream has become a reality, I am so, happy and I am grateful to God Almighty, to Him alone be the glory.’

His PhD research involved the identification of new drug candidates for the treatment of tuberculosis targeting a hitherto not extensively explored target (protein) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ‘In simple terms, my PhD work was on target-based drug discovery in which I used both computational and molecular biology techniques,’ explained Olayinka.

He was able to identify certain classes of compounds such as fusidic acid, berberine and its analogues and some trisubstituted benzimidazoles as lead compounds for the development of novel drugs against tuberculosis.

A great deal of research has been done over the years on TB - one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases - especially in the area of identifying regimens with fast treatment efficacy and also to overcome the problem of drug resistance.

‘My research will contribute to the fight against the disease and hopefully establish a pathway for the development of new drugs.’

Olayinka experienced a variety of challenges during his study journey, ‘There were a few challenges including a change of environment, learning new techniques especially in molecular biology and computational chemistry (it was my first experience in these fields), and financial issues. Also, the lockdown was a big challenge as I could not go to the lab and complete my research objectives as planned.’

Said Olayinka: ‘Wow! UKZN! What can I say? I had an awesome experience, and my growth has been immense. The facilities, the environment, the professional attitude of staff, the new friends and personal development - UKZN has given me a lot of goodies to take away to use possibly for the rest of my life. Thank you UKZN!’

Olayinka achieved his BSc (Hons) (Industrial Chemistry) and MSc (Inorganic Chemistry) at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. He was recognised as the second-best student in the Inorganic Unit of the Chemistry Department during his final master’s year.

‘I have a strong passion for teaching and research, and I am committed to contributing to human development and wellbeing through quality research output and knowledge impartation in the health science field,’ he said.

He loves playing, watching and discussing football and enjoys acting on stage.

Olayinka, currently a postdoctoral candidate at the Malaria Parasite Molecular Laboratory at the University of Pretoria, was supervised by Dr Hezekiel Kumalo and co-supervised by Dr Ndumiso Mhlongo and Dr Sizwe Mhlongo.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Abhi Indrarajan