Mariam Oladejo

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

Active listening fosters a safe environment where team members feel comfortable discussing their concerns without fear of judgment. This creates a sense of belonging and openness that encourages creativity and innovation within the team

What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?

The most important milestone of my career was getting admitted into my PhD program. Without it, I would not have been able to pursue my interest in cancer research; and my career growth would have been stunted.

What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why? What obstacles will you overcome?

I aim to create innovative cancer therapies, paving the way for the advancement in patient care and breakthroughs in global public health. I’m keen on cancer therapy, specifically immunotherapy because I believe that the immune system holds the key to solving man’s most challenging diseases.

Describe an amazing opportunity in your STEM career.

The opportunity to do research in an industry setting is pretty amazing to me. This has allowed me to appreciate the long and arduous journey it takes to make an innovative discovery and translate such discovery into therapies that eventually transform the lives of many people all around the world.

How was AWIS helped you professionally and/or personally?

Connecting with woman scientists from diverse backgrounds has helped me expand my network and broaden my scientific perspective.

What is your favorite word? (only one word)

Persistence

How do you define it?

Persistence is the ability to forge ahead in the face of adversities and challenges. It embodies the spirit of resilience and never giving up, believing that your dreams and aspirations are valid.

How has this word influenced or inspired your career?

Persistence influenced me to never conform to the expected societal norm. Throughout my career, being persistent in the face of challenges has inspired me to pursue excellence and laid a clear path towards my current achievements.

How does AWIS impact your career journey?

I hope to make meaningful connections, expand my network, and learn from the experience and career success of other scientists.

What are you currently reading or listening to?

A Commotion in the Blood: Life, Death and the Immune System. My PhD advisor recommended this book to me back in 2020. It’s about the fascinating history of tumor immunotherapy.

What do you consider the best professional or personal advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t be afraid to be different.

Mariam Oladejo, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Merck Research Laboratories, where she is actively identifying complex biological processes that permit therapeutic resistance in KRAS mutant lung cancer. She earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where she researched tumor antigens, their role in tumor immunosuppression, and the development of Listeria-based cancer vaccines for kidney cancer. She is also a licensed Pharmacist in Nigeria.