WALTER SISULU RESEARCHER EARNS PRESTIGIOUS FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP TO ADVANCE CANCER AND TB RESEARCH

Specialised research by Faculty of Natural Sciences researcher, Prof Adebola Oyedeji in gene cloning and diseases such as cancer and Tuberculosis (TB) have earned her a spot in the Fullbright United States Scholar Programme.

iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu's growing global research footprint expanded after Oyedeji, was selected as one of only seven South African academics from a highly competitive pool of 250 applicants for the Fulbright US Scholar Programme.

Beyond advancing her own research, Oyedeji believes the fellowship will create lasting benefits for Walter Sisulu by strengthening international research partnerships, attracting external funding and expanding opportunities for postgraduate students and staff.

She revealed that she has already analysed research samples belonging to three of her PhD students using equipment unavailable at Walter Sisulu and expects to produce at least four joint scientific publications with his American collaborators. 

The partnership has also expanded to include researchers at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, where Oyedeji's samples are being screened against specific microbes, including tuberculosis.

"I have learned a great deal from new techniques in bioprospecting, synthetic chemistry and gene cloning. We are also collaborating with colleagues at Vanderbilt University to screen my samples against microbes, including TB, which remains the second-largest infectious disease killer in South Africa," she said.

The internationally acclaimed fellowship has positioned the University at the forefront of cutting-edge health research, with Oyedeji currently collaborating with leading scientists at the University of Alabama in Huntsville to advance research into potential new treatments for cancer and TB.

“I only fully appreciated the significance of the award after attending the Fulbright pre-departure programme hosted by the United States Embassy. I was overwhelmed and grateful to have been among the seven selected in the country. It is a prestigious honour that I am not taking for granted," she said.

Widely recognised as one of the world's most competitive academic exchange programmes, the Fulbright US Scholar Programme enables established researchers to undertake specialised research and strengthen international academic collaboration.

At the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Oyedeji is working with renowned natural products and synthetic chemist Prof Victor Ogungbe to investigate bioactive compounds derived from Schinus molle, citrus waste and cannabis.

Plans are also underway to submit joint funding proposals to the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) and South Africa's National Research Foundation (NRF) to support future staff and student exchanges over the next three to five years.

The collaboration aligns closely with Walter Sisulu's Vision 2040 Plus of becoming an impactful, technology-infused African university by strengthening translational research that moves scientific discoveries from the laboratory towards practical healthcare solutions.

"My experience through the Fulbright Scholar Programme will help us design a translational framework for research projects, from phytochemical characterisation through to preclinical validation, while securing national and international funding to support this work," said Oyedeji.

She said she is committed to ensuring the knowledge gained abroad benefits the wider University community through research seminars, departmental engagements and postgraduate training.

By Anita Roji