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From Nigeria to Newark--its been a trip for UD senior Born in Nigeria, Fadugba moved to Togo when she was a year old and came to Delaware when she was 8 to be near family in the area, while her father, who works for the United Nations, was traveling, she said. Her family lived in New Castle and Bear until she was in eighth grade, and from there moved to Great Britain, where she attended boarding school at Wentworth College, before attending the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in London. Fadugba transferred from the Imperial College and returned to Delaware to attend UD in 2003 with her sister, Modupeola, who is a chemical engineering major and an accomplished artist. Fadugba said she has enjoyed her years at UD and the many opportunities shes had for research and extracurricular activities as well as the support she has received from her professors. A biochemistry major, Fadugba has been active as a tutor, mentor and researcher on campus. She has carried out research, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), under Colin Thorpe, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, investigating an enzyme in bovine milk. Fadugba also spent Winter Session 2004 as a volunteer at the University College Hospital and St. Marys Hospital in Nigeria on a congenital malaria project, determining the presence of the malaria parasite and its stage of development in pregnant women and babies. Harold White, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and director of the HHMI Science Education Program at UD, calls Fadugba an outstanding student and said her international experiences and background have enriched the NUCLEUS [Network of Undergraduate Collaborative Learning Experiences for Under-Represented Scholars] Program and the education of her peers at the University of Delaware. Among her honors at UD, Fadugba received the American Association of University Women Outstanding Senior Woman Award from the Newark Branch, was elected a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Golden Key, attained NUCLEUS Academic Gold Status and received a Merck Index Award from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. This summer, Fadugba will retrace her steps, returning to Great Britain and then visiting her parents who are in Tanzania, where they are working for the United Nations, before embarking on the next stage of her life. Article by Sue Moncure To learn how to subscribe to UDaily, click here. |