About Us

History

In the midst of the pandemic, Biospherea emerged as a dynamic community tailored to meet the unique needs of young African bioscientists. It serves as a hub for learning, collaboration, and growth, offering a diverse array of activities such as workshops, journal article reviews, and open discussions. Notably, the introduction of Journal Clubs provides members with a microcosm to develop critical thinking and communication skills while fostering collaborations for the conceptualization and publication of research and review articles. The community's strength lies not only in the broad spectrum of bioscience themes it encompasses but also in the varied academic and professional backgrounds of its members.

The community's evolution from the established brand of Science Café to Biospherea over the past three years signifies a strategic shift. This transformation positions Biospherea as a catalyst, inspiring, nurturing, and empowering Africa's future and emerging bioscientists. The goal is to equip them to tackle challenges within the continent and globally. With over 100 bioscientists hailing from seven African countries, Biospherea fosters a vibrant and diverse environment. Immersive programs provide young professionals and the next generation of scientists with opportunities to nurture their passions, acquire career-relevant skills, and forge collaborations within the bioscience context.

Since its inception with the first Slack session on December 5, 2020, Biospherea has orchestrated more than 300 webinars, featuring guest speakers from around the world. The transition from text-based programs on Slack to video conferencing via Zoom and Meet has not only expanded the reach of their initiatives but has also equipped members with essential oral presentation and communication skills crucial in today's rapidly evolving landscape. This dynamic approach, coupled with a strong social media presence on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, solidifies Biospherea's commitment to effective science communication and event publicity. Coordination of these activities is spearheaded by the community's dedicated founders, team leads, and passionate volunteers.

Meet our Founders

Wealth Okete

Wealth Okete is a science communicator and host of The Immunology in Africa Podcast. He is interested in immunology, infectious diseases, and vaccine development for emerging viral pathogens. He has a bachelor's in Biochemistry from the University of Benin, Nigeria.

Martin Ikhoyameh

Martin Ikhoyameh holds a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Benin, Nigeria. He is passionate about research at the interface of chemistry and biology particularly the study of biological processes using chemical tools for the purpose of addressing clinical problems.

Dolapo Olawoyin

Dolapo Olawoyin is a Chevening Scholar and graduate of the Food Science and Nutrition MSc program at the Univeristy of Leeds, UK. He is passionate about discovering novel nutraceuticals and functional foods to improve quality of life and reduce mortality globally. He has a first degree in Medical Biochemistry from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria, where he emerged as the best graduating student.