Six Nigerian scientists have been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor conferred by the United States government on early-career professionals in science and engineering. This prestigious award, established in 1996 by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, recognizes outstanding contributions to research and innovation that drive scientific and technological advancements.
The 2025 PECASE recipients include Dr. Tomi Akindele, Dr. Azeez Butali, Dr. Ijeoma Opara, Dr. Oluwasanmi Koyejo, Dr. Abidemi Ajiboye, and Dr. Eno Ebong. They were among the 400 scientists and engineers honored by President Joe Biden for their groundbreaking research in healthcare, engineering, and artificial intelligence.
The recognition of these six Nigerians highlights not only their individual achievements but also the immense potential of Nigerian scientists on the global stage. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has applauded their accomplishments, emphasizing that this award is a testament to the ability of Nigerians to excel both at home and internationally.
Meet the Awardees and Their Contributions to Science and Engineering
1. Dr. Tomi Akindele (Nuclear Engineering & National Security Applications)
Dr. Tomi Akindele is a postdoctoral researcher at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the United States. Her work focuses on applying fundamental physics principles to nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards. Specifically, she conducts research on kilo-ton detectors filled with water-based liquid scintillators, which helps in detecting nuclear materials and ensuring compliance with nuclear security agreements.
Dr. Akindele holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from Texas A&M University. She has received several awards, including the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium Fellowship.
2. Dr. Azeez Butali (Oral Genetics & Craniofacial Research)
Dr. Azeez Butali is a Professor of Oral Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine at the College of Dentistry, University of Iowa. His research focuses on genetic epidemiology and craniofacial disorders, particularly the study of orofacial clefts (such as cleft lip and palate) in populations of African descent.
His academic journey began at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, where he earned a degree in dentistry. He later pursued a Ph.D. in genetics epidemiology and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in craniofacial genetics at the University of Iowa.
Dr. Butali has made significant contributions to public health, setting up eleven research centers across Nigeria to collect genetic data on cleft lip and palate patients. His work has earned him prestigious awards, including the NIH Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).
On receiving the PECASE award, he expressed gratitude to President Biden and dedicated the honor to children with orofacial clefts and their caregivers.
3. Dr. Ijeoma Opara (Public Health & Substance Use Prevention)
Dr. Ijeoma Opara is an Associate Professor of Public Health in the Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences at Yale School of Public Health. She is also the founder and director of the Substance Abuse & Sexual Health Lab.
Her research focuses on preventing HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and substance abuse among urban youth, particularly Black girls. She specializes in community-based participatory research, ensuring that the voices of marginalized groups are integrated into health interventions.
Dr. Opara earned a Ph.D. in Family Science & Human Development from Montclair State University, a Master of Social Work from New York University, and a Master of Public Health (Epidemiology) from New York Medical College. She has received multiple awards from institutions like the American Public Health Association and the National Council on Family Relations.
Upon receiving the PECASE award, she expressed deep gratitude, stating that being recognized for her work in urban communities and youth substance use prevention was a true blessing.
4. Dr. Oluwasanmi Koyejo (Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare)
Dr. Oluwasanmi “Sanmi” Koyejo is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University. His research is centered on trustworthy machine learning with applications in neuroscience and healthcare.
Dr. Koyejo earned a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Over the years, he has received numerous accolades, including a Best Paper Award at the Uncertainty in Artificial Intelligence (UAI) Conference, the Skip Ellis Early Career Award, and a Sloan Fellowship.
Currently, he serves on the board of Black in AI, an organization dedicated to increasing diversity in artificial intelligence research.
5. Dr. Abidemi Ajiboye (Brain-Computer Interfaces & Neuroprosthetics)
Dr. Abidemi Ajiboye is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Associate Chair at the Case School of Engineering. His research focuses on brain-computer interfaces (BCI), which are advanced neuroprosthetic technologies designed to help people with severe nervous system injuries, such as spinal cord injuries and strokes.
His goal is to develop BCI systems that enable more natural movement control in individuals using artificial limbs and functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices. Dr. Ajiboye has received several Career Development Awards from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in biomedical and electrical engineering, with a minor in computer science, from Duke University.
6. Dr. Eno Ebong (Biomechanics & Cardiovascular Engineering)
Dr. Eno Ebong is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biology at Northeastern University. She also serves as the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in Chemical Engineering.
Her research focuses on endothelial mechanotransduction, a process that studies how blood vessel cells respond to mechanical forces. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for combating cardiovascular diseases and other conditions involving vascular dysfunction.
Dr. Ebong holds an S.B. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and both M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in biomechanics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She has received multiple honors, including the prestigious NSF Career Award for her “EMBRACE STEM” project, which aims to increase diversity in STEM education and research.
The Significance of PECASE and the Future of Nigerian Scientists
The Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) is a major milestone in the careers of these six Nigerian scientists. It acknowledges their leadership, innovation, and potential to drive global scientific progress. Their achievements highlight Nigeria’s contribution to the global scientific community and serve as inspiration for future generations of African researchers.
Their groundbreaking work in nuclear engineering, genetics, public health, artificial intelligence, neuroprosthetics, and biomechanics is paving the way for medical, technological, and societal advancements.
As the world continues to tackle complex scientific challenges, these Nigerian scientists are at the forefront, proving that African talent has a critical role in shaping the future of global science and technology.
Cite this article as (APA format):
AR Managing Editor (2025). Six Nigerian Scientists Honored with Prestigious US PECASE Award for Groundbreaking Research. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/six-nigerian-scientists-honored-with-prestigious-us-pecase-award-for-groundbreaking-research/