Hadiza Lawal Abdullahi

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen host company?

My most valuable contribution to my TechWomen host company is to serve the host company with dedication and resourcefulness while on placement; to be their advocate back home (acknowledge the life-changing mentorship, made possible by the host company at scientific gatherings or step-down trainings for mentees), where I intend to put into use what I have learnt, through research and mentorship. As an aspiring entrepreneur, I hope to be a marketer of their products-lab equipment and consumables or the services they offer to scientists. I hope to foster a life-long research collaboration with the host company, through my mentor(s).

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. Gain expertise in advanced protein purification and characterization techniques; cell culture techniques; approaches to drug discovery from venoms-e.g. chromatography, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry.
2. Improve my skills on setting up of proteomics and genomic laboratories; lab management and supply chain.
3. Improve my knowledge on steps involved in development of antibodies (antivenoms) and rapid diagnostic tests.

Mentorship Characteristic

• Participate in a skills-building course, either provided by my mentor’s company or identify a free resource online
• Identify workshops or certificate programs to further my learning after the program has ended
• Focus on technical skills building
• Have exposure to specialized industry techniques

Ideal Company Type

It could be a company with a protein purification facility that houses state-of-the-art equipment such as chromatographs and mass spectrometers. A company that produces antibodies/antivenoms and rapid diagnostic test kits A company that specializes on production/supply of equipment and consumables for proteomics and genomic labs; designing and setting-up of these labs.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Inquisitive
2. Conscientious
3. Persistent

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

My mentorship will make me more confident, more resourceful, energized to do more, make me a role model, and the first female toxinologist with a strong background in my university and Northern Nigeria. This would hopefully translate to qualitative research outputs, geared towards producing desirable, potent and affordable antivenoms for affected impoverished communities; winning grants and fostering collaborations through multi-site research visits. It will make me a better medical lab scientist/mentor, capable of training mentees on advances in the field. Soft skills acquired will make me a better educator, lab manager, head of department and entrepreneur.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

New initiative: the much-needed career boost acquired from the TechWomen experience will lead to setting-up of world class research labs (proteomics and genomics labs); setting up a business that would provide solutions to researchers in my community. My ultimate goal as a toxinologist is to produce the next generation snakebite therapy, affordable to thousands of impoverished African communities, in line with SDG number three. Be an agent of change by mentoring as many female scientists as possible, on aspects of venomics/antivenomics and molecular diagnostics, in order to bridge the gap posed by gender inequities dictated by societal pressure.

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

14

Primary Professional Focus

• Bio or medical technology

Education History