Story of FUTA Alumnus, Seun Oladipupo, Assistant Professor of Entomology, Ohio State University, USA

The Story of FUTA Alumnus, Seun Oladipupo, Assistant Professor of Entomology, Ohio State University, USA , to enlighten to someone that sometimes everything works not as expected.

Indeed, life's unexpected twists and turns have taken me on an incredible journey - from Efon Alaaye to Auburn University, Yale University, and now becoming an Assistant Professor of #Entomology at The Ohio State University.

Seun Oladipupo autobiography reads;

My amazing mother raised me in financial struggle after her husband abandoned us. Things grew worse & death took her away from me. As a 15-year-old, my world came crashing & I assumed it was the start of the end. But it wasn’t – sometimes everything works not as expected! 

Still, I had it easy and life wasn’t the worst – all thanks to her family. My avuncular saw to it that I attended college [Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)]. While one cousin paid for rent, another provided monthly upkeep. In short, these empathetic and extraordinary people got me through college. Somehow, I pursued grad education at Futa and Entomology and Plant Pathology-Auburn University. Very grateful to my mother's family who helped me so I could make it.

Looking back now, I wish I could claim credit for these trajectories. Or attribute this to any sort of brilliance. But I am fully aware of the luck I ride – the type that landed me a faculty position at my very first attempt! As I am aware God has chosen to favor my undertakings. Indeed, luck and grace have been a light unto my path as I have journeyed from the hilly labyrinth of Efon Alaaye to the terrazzo floor of the Bass Building at Yale University. 

And now, the two horsemen strike yet again. And, I am thrilled to announce my next adventure as an Assistant Professor in the Entomology Department at Ohio State University next Fall! I'm excited to join this vibrant research community and start my lab focusing on #urbanpests & #microbiome. My lab will hope to create sustainable solutions to urban insect  problems and unravel the socioeconomic drivers of their prevalence.

If this interests you, please let’s connect and explore how we can work together or collaborate (seun.oladipupo@yale.edu).

The Oladipupo Lab will strive to maintain a diverse team and an inclusive culture. Mentorship will be provided to amplify the long-term gains of scientists. Together, we will do exciting science and advance the frontiers of knowledge.

I am immensely grateful to my mentors and my mother's family. Thank you for believing in me!  The journey itself has been nothing short of amazing, and I can't wait to see what the future holds! 

MySchoolNews reporting.