Interview Report with Samuel Dada - Our New Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer at Reachsci

Samual Dada

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer at Reachsci.

Ph.D candidate in Chemistry at Cambridge University.

Sunday, February 28, 2022 I Cambridge

Fatimah Al Hamadani, Senior Manager, Publicity and CCC, ReachSci Society.

We had an online interview with Samuel Dada, a Ph.D. candidate at the Chemistry Department of Cambridge University, about his achievements and motivation for joining ReachSci. We first talked about his passion for helping other students which encouraged him to create a YouTube channel on which he shares his experiences as a Ph.D. student from an underrepresented background in STEM at Cambridge University. We then moved on to discuss the meaning and the significance of a research, and we ended the interview by asking Samuel what motivated him to join ReachSci Society.

Fatimah Al Hamadani: Tell us about yourself and about an achievement or a contribution that you are most proud of?

Samuel Dada: Hi all! My name is Samuel Dada and I am a Nigerian-born British from Croydon. I am currently a Ph.D. student at the Department of Chemistry, at the University of Cambridge. My research is about investigating the protein misfolding associated with neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to conducting my research on a day-to-day basis, I also have a YouTube channel where I share my experiences as a Black man in STEM, and offer my best tips and pieces of advice to future postgraduate students on the postgraduate application process.

Fatimah Al Hamadani: Why are you interested in research and why is it important to our society?

Samuel Dada: My upbringing has led me to realise the importance of educating the general public about the advances within the research field in an accessible way so that non-specialised people can understand. I, therefore, aspire to pursue a career in Science Communications, as I firmly believe that the general public needs to gain a better understanding of the implications of medications or treatments they may be taking. I also hope to continue using my platform on Youtube to share my story and journey as a black man in academia and research, as I believe that I have the responsibility not just for my fulfillment but to fight and break the intrinsic societal and cultural barriers, pressures and unconscious bias associated with the research field in general.

Fatimah Al Hamadani: Tell us about the reason for joining ReachSci?

Samuel Dada: For me, joining ReachSci was a no-brainer, I just simply love their mission in enabling and cultivating research in science to those from underrepresented groups/backgrounds like myself in an accessible and affordable way, to ensure that those students not only envision themselves taking up space in the field of academia and scientific research but they also ensure that they are equipped with the skills and the knowledge to thrive and flourish in this competitive field.

The interview with Mr. DADA Samuel was quite insightful. I like his passion for sharing his experience and being a role model for the next generation, especially those who are of African background. His determination regarding his passion for research, and most importantly his admiration for ReachSci’s mission to offer the best research environment to those who are from underrepresented groups/backgrounds is an inspiration to everyone.

Fatimah Al Hamadani, Senior Manager of Publicity and CCC in ReachSci Society.