About Our Foundation

Efiok Archibong, Ph.D., is a lecturer and researcher at David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physiology, a master’s degree in blood physiology, and a Ph.D. degree in cardiovascular physiology, all from the University of Calabar, Nigeria.

Efiok is a resourceful fellow with good leadership skills and exceptional ability to engage in rigorous and meaningful activities. He has performed research copiously and presented excellent seminar and conference papers. He possesses an investigative mindset and passion for the scientific process, in addition to his great problem-solving skills and cognitive skills. He is always willing to offer his time, skills, expertise, resources and support in the service to humanity. Efiok is doing his best to create an environment for significant positive change, helping the less privileged and promoting education and health.

Anyati, Charles-Vic is a forward-thinking visual artist and technologist who blends creativity with innovation to craft impactful visual experiences. Born in Obudu, Cross River State, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Cross River State, where he developed a strong foundation in design, visual storytelling, and creative technology.

With expertise in branding, printing, and digital design, Charles-Vic brings stories to life through art that resonates, engages, and inspires. As the founder of a growing creative business, Charles-Vic is passionate about using visual language to solve problems, spark emotion, and elevate brands. His work bridges aesthetics with function driven by a deep belief in the power of creativity to transform ideas into lasting impressions.

Orindu Esther Oluebube, a bright and compassionate young woman pursuing her passion for healthcare as a nursing student. With a strong desire to make a positive impact on people's lives, she's dedicated to her studies and clinical rotations. Her empathetic nature and excellent communication skills make her a valuable asset to the people around her especially her colleagues. As she navigates the challenges of nursing school, she's driven by her commitment to delivering high-quality patient care and making a difference in her community.

Emmanuel Effiom is a passionate developer focused on building scalable web applications and collaborating with teams to deliver impactful solutions. With a BSc degree in Computer Science & HND in Software Engineering and a hands-on experience in various programming languages and frameworks, Emmanuel thrives in dynamic environments where innovation and creativity are encouraged. He is committed to continuous learning and staying updated with the latest industry trends to ensure that his work remains relevant and effective. Emmanuel's dedication to excellence and problem-solving skills make him a valuable asset to any development team.

Otubonchi Macjohnson Odu is a developer focused on innovative solutions and committed to continuous learning in technology. With a solid foundation in software engineering and practical experience in various programming languages and frameworks, and an HND in software engineering from Aptech Computer Education, Otubonchi excels in creating efficient and user-friendly applications.

He thrives in collaborative environments where creativity and problem-solving are encouraged. Otubonchi's dedication to staying updated with the latest industry trends ensures that his work remains relevant and impactful. His passion for technology and commitment to excellence make him a valuable contributor to any development team.

Dr. Beltran-Ornelas was a Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemist at the Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa, Mexico. His interest in science and research began during his undergraduate studies in Mexico, where he was awarded two travel fellowships that allowed him to work in research laboratories during the summer. His college studies led to a publication in a peer-reviewed journal and supported his undergraduate thesis on the sympathoinhibition of hydrogen sulfide, a molecule synthesized by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells.

Dr. Beltran-Ornelas earned both an M.S. and a Ph.D. degree in Neuropharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics under the mentorship of Dr. Centurion in Mexico City. His research focused on the protective cardiovascular effects of a hydrogen sulfide donor (sodium hydrosulfide) in models of insulin resistance and chronic stress. Through this work, he became an expert in surgical models, vascular reactivity, sympathetic nerve activity assessment, hormone quantification, western blotting, oxidative stress assays, enzymatic activity analysis, and instrumentation including fluorometers, spectrophotometers, and HPLC. His graduate studies resulted in a first-author publication and eleven co-authored manuscripts, as well as participation in an international research project published in Frontiers in Physiology.

Currently, Dr. Beltran-Ornelas is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Missouri, under the mentorship of Dr. Luis A. Martinez-Lemus, a leading researcher in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders with emphasis on vascular remodeling. He leads a project investigating whether type 1 diabetes, under Western diet, increases endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness compared to wild-type controls fed a Western diet, and whether these effects are sex-dependent. In the lab, he has implemented the use of surface plasmon resonance to measure real-time molecular interactions, an effort that required the training of two undergraduate students.

Over his career, he has presented his work at local and international scientific meetings, and he has been a laureate at Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana. His training continues to deepen his expertise in vascular biology and translational research, preparing him for an independent research career as a principal investigator.

Michael Akintubosun is a Ph.D. candidate in Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama, where he researches natural product biosynthetic enzymes and novel glycosylated compounds using biochemical and structural approaches. He earned his M.Sc. in Biotechnology at Warsaw University of Technology through the Ignacy Łukasiewicz Scholarship Programme in Poland and a B.Sc. in Microbiology from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. Beyond research, he sees himself as a catalyst, inspiring others to realize their full potential.

Olugbenga Michael, PhD is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and Medical Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of Missouri, Columbia. His research focuses on cardiovascular and renal pathophysiology, with particular expertise in ion channels, oxidative stress, renal microcirculation, and molecular mechanisms of kidney injury using both small and large animal models. The translational swine model is a particularly interesting model because he and his team are able to study renal microcirculation in newborn pigs as early as the first week of life. Dr. Michael has authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications, presented internationally, and serves as an editorial board member and peer reviewer for several scientific journals. He is a recipient of multiple travel and research awards from the American Heart Association, International Union of Physiological Sciences, American Physiological Society, reflecting his commitment to advancing translational research in hypertension, acute kidney injury, and related disorders.

Moses Ataben is the recipient of several prestigious awards. In 2023, he completed an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in Human Disease Models and Morphological Phenotyping at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. In 2024, he was awarded a JAE Intro to Research Fellowship by the Spanish National Research Council. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience program, where his research focuses on developing and characterizing new models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease to investigate disease pathogenesis and advance novel therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Thomas Odey Magu is a distinguished scientist, educator, and sustainability advocate with extensive academic and professional achievements. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the American East Coast University, recognizing his exceptional contributions to science and global sustainability.

Dr. Magu has been an Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Chemistry Science and a Guest Editor for the Springer-indexed journal “Advance Catalytic Materials for Sustainable Energy and Environmental Solutions,” where he contributes to advancing research in sustainable chemistry and energy solutions.

Since 2013, Dr. Magu has been actively involved in university-level lecturing, fostering academic excellence and mentoring students. His international experience includes serving as a research scholar at the prestigious Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing China, Research Scientist at the University of Florida, United States, and as a visiting lecturer at the Cross River University of Technology. His expertise includes sustainable chemistry, catalysis, renewable energy, and computational chemistry, particularly density functional theory (DFT). His pioneering research on hydrogen storage in phosphorus-doped graphene has significantly advanced clean energy technologies

Dr. Magu is also a certified Chartered Chemist from the Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria (ICCON) and holds certifications in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), Project Management, First Aid, and OSHA safety standards. He also has certification as an SAP Certified Associate, expanding his impact on the intersection of technology and sustainability.

He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals, with more than 1,000 Google Scholar citations and over 200 recommendations from other experts across the globe in his field on ResearchGate, all of which are visible online. This signifies the originality and positive impact of his work as he contributes to finding solutions to global issues.

As a passionate advocate for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and an active member of organizations like IUPAC, ACS, RSC, AAAS, ASTM, NOBCChE, MRS, SETAC, and IYCN, Dr. Magu integrates leadership, mentorship, and innovative research to drive global progress in science and sustainability.

Olubodun Lateef is an emerging cardiovascular scientist whose career trajectory reflects a consistent commitment to advancing translational research in vascular biology and aging-related diseases. His journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Physiology from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria. Building on this foundation, he pursued a Master of Science degree in Applied Biotechnology at Warsaw University of Technology, Poland. There, he gained extensive training that set the stage for his current focus on cardiovascular pathophysiology.

Lateef is currently a doctoral candidate in the Translational Biosciences Program at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he serves as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Cardiovascular Research Laboratory (VASORUM). He combines a broad range of techniques, from in vitro cell culture to ex vivo analysis of the structural, functional, and mechanical properties of isolated vessels, and leverages advanced microscopy techniques, including confocal, multiphoton, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), to address key scientific questions in cardiovascular research.

His research aims to uncover the molecular and mechanical mechanisms linking vascular smooth muscle cell stiffness with arterial stiffening in the context of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. His long-term goal is to become an independent investigator leading a research program that advances the understanding of aging-related cardiovascular diseases.