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Tomi Akingbade
Founder
Tomi is a Neurochemistry PhD student at the University of Cambridge studying the mechanisms of inflammation caused by aggregates in Alzheimer’s disease. She advocates for equality and representation in the scientific industry and works toward giving Black women the platform to connect and further their careers with the resources they need. You can read more about why she started the Black Women in Science Network in A Message from Our Founder
Juliana Eniraiyetan AMRSC
Events Officer
Juliana is a chemist and science tutor that has been working within radiopharmaceuticals for the last 3 years. With a passion for visibility within the sciences, Juliana makes time to empower young women during their academic journey. She hopes to move into the world of data as it shapes the landscape of global healthcare.
Amen Eghosa-Aimufua
Events Officer
Amen is a Trainee Clinical Psychologist working within the NHS as part of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology. She holds a BA (Hons) in Philosophy and Psychology and an MSc in Health Psychology. She is passionate about addressing inequalities in the health sector, with her current research focusing on how stereotyping adversely affects health outcomes in Black women. She hopes to work in maternal health to support the wellbeing of marginalised populations and is currently involved with the
mentorship of aspiring psychologists. As part of BWiS, she aims to support Black
women to continue to innovate within the scientific industry.
Tulela Pea
Podcast Host and Blog Editor
Tulela is a MSc graduate in Forensic and Investigative Psychology. She has specialist interests in domestic abuse, honour-based abuse, criminal exploitation, victim care and support, crime analysis, intervention and prevention strategies. As the podcast host, she aims to facilitate and promote conversations that focus on Black women’s needs, experiences, and challenges, particularly within the science industry. As a blog editor, she aims to support other blog writers in discussing their topics of interest and help write engaging pieces that are accessible to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Esther Ansah
Blog Writer
Esther is a Psychology postgraduate student and part-time health data scientist. She has many (maybe too many?) passions including looking after her plants, reading, knitting, crochet, music, film and photography. She is also very interested in science communication and, through the Black Women in Science Network, hopes to encourage others to revel in the creativity in science
Success Fabusoro
Blog Writer
Success is a Molecular Medicine graduate of Imperial College London. She is interested in cancer research and aims to contribute to research that aids the development of effective cancer therapies. As a blog writer, she hopes to highlight the victories, challenges and overall experience of being a black woman in science. She is also passionate about inspiring and helping the younger generation to pursue STEM fields in university and beyond.
Success enjoys taking walks and watching movies in her spare time. She is also a lover of Jigsaw puzzles.
Mbang Young
Campaign Officer
Mbang holds an LLB in Law and a Certificate of Call to Bar. With her background in law, she is passionate about building strong institutions that will promote sustainable development for Science and Technology; Education; Policy; and Economic Empowerment. Mbang strongly believes that societies and communities can gain from a people-oriented approach to policy change. In 2015, she co-founded the ABUAD Drug Free Club as a Media and Communication Manager, while in 2020 she joined the Community for Forensics Awareness as a Legal Assistant. Mbang also believes that societies deserve strong institutions that can propel them into the science and technology ecosystem.
Mariama M'Bengue
Social Media Managaer
Mariama (she/her) earned a degree in Medical Biology from the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany) and is currently pursuing a PhD in cancer biology at Cardiff University. Beyond the laboratory, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse landscapes and cities in the UK. As a social media manager at the BWIS network, she fosters connections and meaningful discussions within our online community.
Deborah Ajulo
Social Media Manager
Deborah holds an MSc in Environmental Sciences and specialises in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Passionate about empowering young black women in STEM, her ambitions are to provide guidance in navigating their careers and build meaningful connections. Deborah's role is focused on supporting organisations in achieving Net Zero carbon emissions. Beyond work, she's interested in human behaviour, self-development, and well-being.
Ntokozo Msiza
Administrator
Ntokozo Msiza identifies as a (South) African, with a family lineage that runs from South Africa to the Kingdom of Eswatini. She was born in South Africa and grew up in the Kingdom of Eswatini for most of her toddler years. She later moved back to South Africa to do her primary and secondary schooling at Greendale school. She is in the agriculture field and holds a BSc Animal-Pasture Science (University of Fort Hare), MSc Animal Science (North-West University) and currently pursuing a PhD in Animal Science, specializing in Pasture Science (rangeland ecology and planted pastures).
Dr Maria Augusta Arruda
Network Advisor
Maria Augusta Arruda holds a BSc and a PhD in Biosciences (major in Pharmacology; 2005). Shortly after receiving her PhD, she was appointed Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at UERJ (2006-2011). In 2008, Maria joined Farmanguinhos, the Pharmaceutical Laboratory of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, to lead their Academic Department. Maria moved to the University of Nottingham in 2011, where she has been creating and supporting transatlantic collaborative networks in the field of Drug Discovery. Maria is a firm believer that greater and genuine diversity is essential for the Progress of Science, and has been engaged in a number of Science Diplomacy and Science Communication initiatives.