Banji-Onisile grew up in a family steeped in education. Both her parents were accomplished teachers which set the tone for her and her siblings to value and appreciate the significance of education. Today, not only has she achieved one of the highest academic milestones but she is also an inspiration to the nation, transforms the lives of ordinary people and always pushes to explore new frontiers of knowledge.
The Nigerian-born Banji-Onisile is currently pursuing a PhD degree in microbiology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), courtesy of the NRF-TWAS – World Academy of Sciences. She says her career choice was motivated by her fascination with the world of medicine early on during her school days. The focus of her research is on exploring microbiological and medicinal potential of a South African medicinal plant against specific pathogens. This involves several key processes, including:
- extraction of secondary metabolites from various plant components;
- isolation and purification of secondary metabolites produced by endophytic micro-organisms derived from the plant and
- separation of nanoparticle synthesis using both the plant and the endophytic microorganisms.
Banji-Onisile says to evaluate the efficacy of the research involves conducting comprehensive micro-biological tests encompassing anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant and anti-cancer (specifically breast cancer and liver cancer) assessments. She says the inter-disciplinary nature of the research has made her explore the intersections of chemistry and biochemistry.
Multi – Drug Resistance by Micro-Organisms
This research represents a critical step forward as it mitigates the pervasive multi-drug resistant pathogenic micro-organisms. “The world is currently facing a daunting challenge posed by the emergence of multi-drug-resistant pathogenic micro-organisms. With each passing year, the mortality rate steadily rises because of the escalating number of multidrug-resistant pathogens.
According to Banji-Onisile, her research attempts to explore and develop novel drugs that can effectively combat multi drug resistance. “This research will not only ignite inspiration and drive transformative advancements in the field but will also make a significant breakthrough in effectively addressing the potential health implications of future global pandemics,” she says.
The Fields of Study
“As a child, I dreamt of donning a white coat and making a difference in the healthcare field,” says Banji-Onisile. But, her dream was dashed as she did not attain the points required to be admitted for a degree in medicine. This compelled her to enrol for her second choice, microbiology at Nasarawa State University. After she completed her four-year Bachelor’s degree in 2010, she registered for a Master’s in microbiology at the Federal University of Technology in Akure, Nigeria from which she obtained this degree in 2014.
At the time, her research focused on the anti-microbial activity of antibiotic-producing Streptomyces which she isolated from soil. What piqued her interest in microbiology, she says, was the ability of the micro-organism to produce metabolites with a high potency of preventing the growth of disease-causing organisms, especially drug-resistant micro-organisms.
NRF Funding and International Exposure
Wanting to further explore this field, she applied for a PhD programme in microbiology at KZN in 2020, focusing on discovering innovative drugs extracted from natural sources. Funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) has enabled her to give all of her attention to her studies without having to worry about finances. Through NRF’s funding she had the opportunity of attending an international conference and met with experts in her field. The exceptional opportunity for the exchange of experience and familiarisation with good practices was a channel for my personal development,” says Banji-Onisile. She also presented her research at the ASM conference held in Washington DC, USA in 2022.
Contributing to More Scientific Discoveries in Future
Regarding her future career aspirations, Banji-Onisile says she wants to contribute to more scientific discoveries while continuing to develop novel anti-microbial therapies. “I see myself collaborating with experts across various disciplines to improve human health and the world we live in. I also hope to become an NRF-rated researcher,” she concluded.
