Meet our Early Career Scientist Grant Winner Chinenye Ekemezie
We’re delighted to introduce our next Early Career Scientist Grant winner! Chinenye Ekemezie is a PhD student at Newcastle University, UK, and the latest winner of our monthly $500 career support grant!
In 2021 we launched our monthly award designed to help life science PhDs and postdocs with the development of their careers. To date we have supported 35 early career researchers with flexible $500 grants to be used for anything that will help their careers. Previous winners have used the grant to cover conference or publishing fees, travel costs, the purchase of lab supplies, and more!
Chinenye works in the Melnikov Lab at Newcastle University, and will use the grant to fund her attendance at the RNA UK Conference in Windermere, UK, later this month.
When we asked Chinenye how she felt about receiving the award, she told us:
I am excited to receive this award from Hello Bio to attend the RNA UK Conference, which is one of the most prestigious meetings in my field. I eagerly look forward to actively participating in this event and expanding my professional network. Chinenye Ekemezie, Newcastle University, UK, Hello Bio Early Career Scientist Grant winner
Congratulations Chinenye! First, can you tell us a bit more about your research work?
My goal as a scientist is to improve public health and prolong human life by changing how we use antibiotics. To achieve this, I am researching how to improve the activity of one of the most widely used antibiotics in medicine, called ribosome-targeting drugs. These drugs target a crucial cell component called the ribosome thereby disrupting an essential biological process called protein synthesis. My research is focused on exploring the evolutionary story behind the development of natural resistance to these drugs using methods from evolutionary biology, structural biology, microbiology, and bioinformatics. Overall, I hope to redefine the current use of these drugs by identifying the right drug for the right pathogen.
What is it about your field of research that gets you most excited?
I am excited about my field because of the significant impact that studies in this area have on medicine.
Which scientists working today do you most admire, and why?
I admire my PI, Dr Sergey Melnikov for his excellent work ethic and dedication to personal development.
And finally… what’s your favourite science quote?
“In science as you learn, you don’t necessarily find answers, instead you discover better questions.”
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Thank you so much Chinenye! We wish you all the very best with your future research, and we hope you enjoy your time at the RNA UK conference.
Connect with Chinenye:
- X (Twitter): @ChinenyeEkemez2
- LinkedIn: Chinenye Ekemezie
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