Graduate student Amara Onoh awarded grant for educational science program.
Biochemistry and molecular biology graduate student from Dr. Michael Sehorn’s lab Amarachukwu Onoh (Amara) has been awarded an American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024 Science Outreach and Communication (ASBMB SOC) grant.
The ASBMB Science Outreach and Communication Committee’s mission is to expand the effectiveness of inclusive and accessible science outreach and communication activities. Each grant supplies up to $1,000 for a new or existing public engagement activity to promote a molecular understanding of life.
Amara is using her grant towards the Africa of Our Dream Initiative, which she facilitates. The Africa of Our Dream Initiative is one-day event that reaches up to 200 undergraduates from the University of Nigeria with a goal to enhance scientific literacy and appreciation of bioresearch. This program is designed to engage undergraduate students in the process of drug discovery, providing an educational experience that includes a keynote speech and hands-on learning to introduce drug-target interactions using simulations of molecular docking. The event ends with a science challenge, with prizes awarded and each participant receives a certification of completion.
“Given that Nigeria is a developing country with a low level of scientific literacy, the country needs science outreach programs designed to inform the populace about science, especially biochemical science,” Amara said. “We desire to contribute towards raising a generation of future leaders who are science literate and appreciate scientific research.”
For Amara the ASBMB grant provides funds for the Africa of Our Dream Initiative’s basic infrastructure such as internet, projector and sound equipment, as well as awards for speakers and funds for advertising the event.
