100 Black Women Professors NOW

Ayooluwatomi Adesina

Ayooluwatomi is a PhD candidate and a Media and Corporate Campaigns Officer for the University of Exeter.

My career background, interests, and research

Before academia, I worked as a screenwriter in the Nigerian Film Industry. My 10-year screenwriting experience involved heading writers’ rooms, collaborating with industry players in creating film and TV series for diverse media.

I also have a young career in media and communications within the UK Higher Education system and it has exposed me to the basics of distilling technical research to a wider audience.

From my music teacher to my art teacher and my mother, a teacher herself, I appreciate the value in building others and contributing to society. I previously taught writing classes, so, when the opportunity came to pivot towards a career path that lent itself to working towards a degree in creative writing, I took the chance.

My research focuses on fictional representation of ageing and place in Nigerian and South Korean cinema. As a comparative analysis, I’m reading against a culturally diverse yet similar group of people in terms of traditions, media influence, and gender expectations. I’m particularly keen on discourses around portrayal of older people on screen and inter-generational dynamics.

Useful advice

Someone once said to me, “It’s a good thing to finish a thing.” It was a small moment and almost insignificant, but it has stuck with me ever since and I try to make it a point of duty to finish whatever I start – finishing might look differently in diverse situations, but to see the end of a thing is good.  

Melody Kuziwa Jombe

Melody is a Lecturer in our Business School

My career background, interests, and research

Before joining academia, I worked in corporate sector including Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Market Research and Media industries as a General Manager, Project Manager, and Analyst respectively.

I was inspired to join academia full-time because of my desire to extend and share my knowledge (I was also tired of chasing profits). 

I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce Hons in Business Management, and a Master of Philosophy in Strategic Management. I am also a PhD Candidate in Business Management. Working tirelessly over the years to attain these degrees, and working in industry, has shaped my career to where it is now.

My research areas include Insolvency, Restructuring, Business Rescue and Turnaround Management. 

I grew to love the "sort of" neglected area of Turnaround Management while completing my MPhil, which had a special focus on restructuring and business rescue. It is imperative that we understand why businesses fail and what measures can be implemented to ensure that either big corporates or small ventures continue operating as going concerns and successfully contribute to a growing economy.

Useful advice

The best advice I’ve been given is that unlearning is the highest form of learning. As you go up the ladder of life, be prepared to unlearn some of the things that you once learned and believed in.

OreOluwa Onifade

OreOluwa is a Mental Health Nurse Lecturer in our Academy of Nursing

My career background, interests, and research

Teaching has always been my passion. I’ve been in academia since I graduated as a Nurse Educator specialist.

My education and training took place in Nigeria. I wear so many caps: I am a Registered Nurse (Nigeria), Registered Midwife (Nigeria), Registered Mental Health Nurse (Nigeria and UK).

I’ve always had a passion for academia. All through my study period, I have enjoyed tutorials with others, conducting research, and presenting papers.

I am motivated by working with people, sharing knowledge, and bringing kindness and love to the world. So, nursing, teaching, and academia became my occupation, as well as my passion.

My previous work has involved researching help-seeking behaviours of student nurses, and nutritional assessment of people with mental ill health, among others. Currently, I’m interested in collaborating with other researchers on depression in women and adolescents, and how to support people to build resilience and practise self-care.

Useful advice

The best advice I’ve received is to be yourself and don't put limitations on yourself, for example by staying quiet. It’s important speak up for yourself and others. It’s also important to learn how to say no – communicate what you can do and what you can’t do, and why. My message to others is to always radiate love and celebrate diversity. The world can still do with more kindness, let’s give it.

Ifraax Abdi Osman

Ifraax is a Lecturer in Medical Imaging 

My career background, interests, and research 

Before academia, I worked as a diagnostic radiographer, gaining valuable clinical experience in the field. I also completed a master’s with distinction.     

My passion for education and my drive to support students in reaching their full potential inspired me to transition into academia full-time. I want to contribute to the development of future healthcare professionals and create a more inclusive educational environment.     

I continue to develop my expertise in imaging and radiotherapy, and I actively engage in research and professional development to stay at the forefront of my field.  

My research focuses on the application of MRI and radiotherapy, with an emphasis on integrating innovative imaging techniques into treatment planning and delivery to optimise patient outcomes. My ongoing PhD explores the use of synthetic CT for breast radiotherapy planning.       

Mentorship from senior colleagues and support from collaborative networks have been instrumental in guiding my career path and encouraging me to explore different opportunities. 

I am committed to promoting inclusivity in education and healthcare, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to thrive, and contributing meaningfully to the development of the next generation of medical imaging professionals.

Useful advice

"Education is a lifelong journey; never stop learning and growing in your field." This has motivated me to continuously seek improvement and innovation in both teaching and research.