How Fasina is bridging Nigeria’s Agricultural Biotechnology and U.S. Biomedical Research

By Tosin Clegg

It is not a hidden fact that the rising profile of Nigerian-born scientist Kolapo Fasina is drawing attention within international circles of biomedical and agricultural science.

The reason may not be far to seek—At a time when nations are struggling to balance food security, public health, and sustainable research capacity, his career trajectory illustrates how cross-continental expertise can help tackle some of the most persistent challenges in science and society.

Findings by our medium showed that Fasina is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology at Kent State University in Ohio, where he doubles as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Prep Coordinator in the Department of Biological Sciences.

It was gathered that his daily responsibilities range from preparing laboratory experiments to mentoring students in microbiology courses. But his story is not one of a researcher confined to a lab—it is a story of someone who has straddled different systems and now argues for science that is both locally relevant and globally impactful.

“I’ve seen both sides,” Fasina says, reflecting on his years in Nigeria and his current work in the United States. “In Nigeria, the challenges were largely infrastructural—basic equipment, funding, and continuity in research. In the U.S., the facilities are world-class, but the challenge is making sure students and young researchers know how to make the best use of those resources. Both systems need mentorship, but for different reasons.”

That perspective is grounded in his nearly decade-long career at the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN), where he rose from Research Officer to Principal Research Officer. There, Fasina focused on crop improvement and biotechnology for one of Nigeria’s most important economic crops. His work contributed to efforts aimed at improving yield and disease resistance, highlighting how molecular tools can transform traditional agriculture.

During those years, Fasina witnessed the struggles of young scientists firsthand. Many, he recalls, had “bright ideas but no platform to test them.” He adds, “That’s part of why mentorship is so critical. A researcher is only as effective as the opportunities and guidance they have.”

His shift to Kent State University was, in many ways, a continuation of this vision. As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, he not only conducts experiments but also teaches students how to translate those experiments into scientific understanding. “Science is not just about pipettes and microscopes,” he explains. “It’s about asking the right questions, interpreting the results critically, and then linking those results back to real-world problems.”

Recognition of his approach has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, Fasina was awarded the American Society for Microbiology Future Leaders Mentoring Fellowship (FLMF), a two-year fellowship that provides mentorship and leadership training for promising scientists. The fellowship includes travel and opportunities to engage with global peers on issues of research, diversity, and mentorship.

“That fellowship came at the right time,” he says with a smile. “It gave me the platform to share what I had seen in Nigeria and what I was experiencing here in the U.S. Mentorship, resilience, and excellence in science are not just buzzwords—they are issues that determine whether the next generation of scientists will thrive or not.”

In April 2024, Fasina also received the Art and Margaret Herrick Aquatic Ecology Research Award at Kent State, further underscoring his impact in research that bridges ecological and biomedical questions. He later secured the Graduate Student Senate Research Award, cementing his reputation as both a researcher and mentor.

But beyond awards and fellowships, his work is anchored in a deep concern for antimicrobial stewardship—both in healthcare and in environmental protection. “If Nigeria is going to keep pace with global science, it must invest not only in research infrastructure but also in people,” he emphasizes. “It is people who design experiments, people who interpret data, and people who pass knowledge on. Without that investment, laboratories become empty rooms.”

Fasina is not only a scientist but also a Certified Management Consultant, which makes him unusual in a field where technical specialization often overshadows leadership. For him, the combination is deliberate: “Science must connect with society. Consultancy has taught me to think about the practical side of research—how results can be scaled, how findings can influence policy, and how communities can benefit from science directly.”

His consultancy experience spans biomedical science, agriculture and education, including work with JIB Global Consult and Kolforte Educational Services in Nigeria. Through these platforms, he continues to advise on antimicrobial stewardship, agricultural practices and educational development, reinforcing his belief that science should serve communities, not just journals.

Looking ahead, Fasina insists that the greatest challenge—and opportunity—for young scientists is to bridge gaps between disciplines and geographies. “The problems we face today, from antimicrobial resistance to emerging diseases, do not respect borders,” he says. “That means our science, our training, and our collaborations cannot respect borders either. We need to think globally while solving problems locally.”