Nutrition PhD student aims to aid children in Africa

Boluwatiwi Durojaye displays an irresistible enthusiasm for his research, Ohio State and life. Maybe the credit goes to growing up in Nigeria with a boisterous, vibrant family of 10 siblings.

His outgoing nature has served him well at Ohio State. Living alone was a big adjustment, but caring mentors ensured he had funding, lessening his parents’ financial burden.

“I’m always grateful for that and look for every chance I can to pay forward,” he said.

A new opportunity arose when Durojaye became one of 150 Ohio State Sesquicentennial Scholars in April. Each receives leadership training and a scholarship. As an international student with five years at the university, “I definitely bring a diverse background and knowledge to celebrate Ohio State,” he said. He and the other scholars will be ambassadors at 150-year anniversary events.

Durojaye tried out his ambassador role last spring when 30 Nigerian university administrators visited. They discussed how to improve facilities and research at Nigerian universities. He shared with them his guiding purpose: To return to Nigeria and help wipe out vitamin-A deficiency in Africa through new, food-based strategies.

“The number has decreased, but 100 million children who suffer illness and death from this deficiency is still staggering,” Durojaye said.

His dissertation focuses on an enzyme in the body that is responsible for storing vitamin A in the liver and mobilizing the stored vitamin when the diet is deficient. The research is complicated, though. “Genetic differences also may affect how we process and use vitamin A,” Durojaye said. His study will shed new light on whole-body vitamin-A regulation.

Despite a demanding research schedule, Durojaye serves others. He is an officer with Ohio State’s Graduate Society of Nutritional Sciences, which sponsors the annual Russell Klein Symposium showcasing student research.

Locally, he mentored a group of eighth-graders at the Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys. He encouraged them to set goals and consider higher education.

“I also regularly volunteer at Mid-Ohio Foodbank to deliver nutritious, fresh produce to food-insecure families,” he said. “Some 764,000 Ohio households reported being food insecure. This outreach is important to me.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]