The College of Science is highlighting some of its Ph.D. students in honor of National Dissertation Day, which is April 26.
When Oluwaferanmi Ogunleye arrived on the Clemson University campus, she wanted to do applied research and work toward solving a problem.
That’s exactly what she’s doing. The third-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemistry is studying cancer biology to improve diagnosis and better understand how to treat patients.
Her work with Marc Birtwistle, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and bioengineering, and collaboration with Hugo Sanabria, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, was recently funded by the National Science Foundation.
Her main project focuses on highly multiplexed fluorescence systems, where the research team aims to increase the ability to simultaneously measure multiple biomarkers within a cell by 5 to 10 fold over what’s currently possible.
The team uses fluorescent tags because they are universal, sensitive and cost-effective. Previously, only about 20-40 fluorescent tags could be multiplexed due to spectral overlap. Now, the team is working to create 200 fluorescent tags using a DNA nanoruler to create unique spectral signatures.
Detailed identification
The signatures are generated by controlling the distance between the internally attached fluorophores in the DNA strands via solid-phase synthesis. Those DNA strands are then linked to antibodies, which bind to specific cell types, enabling detailed identification of many different kinds of cells at once..
“This project would allow us to see better into the tumor microenvironment and improve diagnosis,” Ogunleye says.
In her time at Clemson so far, Ogunleye has co-authored two research articles, presented at conferences and won multiple awards, She completed her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at Anchor University, Lagos, Nigeria, where she graduated with a first-class degree.
Ogunleye not only spends time in the lab but also works to make Clemson and the community more welcoming.
Campus involvement
Ogunleye currently serves as secretary of the Clemson Chemistry Graduate Student Organization (CGSO), which organizes professional development events and recreational activities for graduate students in the chemistry department, as well as outreach events to make chemistry more accessible to kindergarten through 12th-grade students.
She also serves as the vice president of Love Fellowship Clemson, a faith-based student organization. The group has organized Thanksgiving dinners, graduate school webinars for undergraduates, workshops on thriving as a graduate student and community outreach to assisted living facilities in South Carolina.
Outside of these organizations, Ogunleye volunteers regularly as a judge at the Clemson Elementary School Science Fair, became part of the first cohort of the Graduate Certified Student Leaders Program (CSL) this spring and is an active member of the Nigerian Students in Clemson organization.
“Sharing this story is telling the world that Clemson University is indeed number one in student engagement and leadership. Clemson is a place where students find communities and connections, where they do excellent work in an environment that cares and is supportive of growth,” she said.
After she finishes her Ph.D., she plans to continue researching cancer biology in the bio-pharmaceutical industry, where shecan address scientific gaps and better understand patients’ needs.
