FMA-funded work placement : Ikeoluwa Adekoya
Interview with Ikeoluwa Adekoya following a 3-month work placement at the John Innes Centre (Norwich, UK) funded by the Biofortification Hub. Project entitled: “Biofortified tomatoes: a route to Vitamin D sufficiency?”
What organisation were you working with before the FMA placement?
EMERGE Research, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh
What was your current role in the organisation before the FMA placement?
I was working as a Clinical Trials Assistant within EMERGE. I took on this role to gain research experience after completing my Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences. It has provided clearer insight into how translational research is conducted within a clinical environment, and the essential impact and direct translation of bench science in improving patients’ lives. I am especially grateful for the support of my team, who encouraged and enabled me to take on the FMA secondment.
How did you hear about the FMA programme?
I first became aware of the Biofortification Hub through my engagement with the NRP website after I had applied to a PhD project titled Supercharging wheat: using genetics to increase grain iron content (offered in the Borrill Lab). This was my first introduction to this research area, and it resonated with me because it aligned with the kind of research I wanted to pursue, driven in part by my own personal experience with iron deficiency.
I came across the advert for the launch of the Hub on the website. I recall that the name of the Hub gave a clear identity to the type of research I had grown increasingly enthusiastic about, and its objectives closely aligned with what I hoped to achieve by focusing in this area.
It also stood out as a meeting point for researchers and organisations with shared interests in this field, and I was particularly encouraged to see the Flexible Mobility Awards in place to help facilitate these interactions. Initially, I assumed these placements were only available in industry, but a conversation with Professor Cathie Martin during one of the Hub workshops helped me realise that academic institutions could also host early career researchers. She kindly offered to host me in her lab, giving me the opportunity to gain academic research experience in the area of biofortification.
Why did you want to do an FMA placement?
As soon as I set my mind on pursuing this line of research, I knew that gaining hands-on experience in the field would position me as proactive and provide concrete evidence of my interest. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up despite distance from my family, as I believed it would be valuable for my future research pursuits in biofortification.
I was particularly keen to gain research and laboratory experience in the area of biofortification, and the project on Vitamin D biofortified tomatoes in the Martin Lab was the perfect opportunity to do so. I am glad I was able to take part in the project and see my placement through to completion.
Where did your FMA placement take place?
The John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK – Prof. C. Martin Lab
What made you choose the host you did?
My host was Professor Cathie Martin, whom I first met at the Biofortification Hub workshop in London. She gave a talk on how gene editing had been used to develop biofortified tomatoes, which really resonated with my interests. After her talk, I had the chance to speak with her about my interest in this area of research and my aspiration to pursue a PhD in a similar field. Following our conversation, she kindly offered to host me for a placement in her lab—an opportunity I’m incredibly grateful for.
Did you visit any other laboratories or institutes on the NRP during your placement?
Yes, I regularly visited the Metabolite Services Lab to use their analytical platform for quantifying 7-Dehydrocholesterol, cholesterol, Vitamin D3, and other metabolites in the biofortified tomatoes. During these visits, I received training on the use of LC-MS and GC-MS, technical skills that I would not have had the opportunity to develop without this placement.
On a personal level, what did you get out of the work placement?
On a personal level, the placement helped me reconnect with my interest in scientific research that directly supports food security and addresses hidden hunger. I left the experience feeling more hopeful than ever about the potential of precision genetic plant breeding to biofortify African indigenous crops with essential micronutrients, particularly to help combat deficiencies in children and women of reproductive age. I also see great promise in applying similar technologies to reduce food waste by tackling issues like overripening, which contributes significantly to post-harvest losses across Sub-Saharan Africa.
How would you feel about working on Research now?
I now feel much more confident in using biological techniques and carrying out experiments, as well as working in a laboratory environment overall. The placement gave me hands-on experience that strengthened both my technical skills and my confidence in approaching research more independently.
Has it changed your future plans?
No, it has instead reaffirmed my dedication to my research interests and brought me a few steps closer to achieving my long-term goals. It has also given me the confidence and motivation to continue progressing in this path.
What new skills have you learnt?
On a technical level, I gained new skills in molecular biology and metabolite analysis, including hands-on experience with techniques I hadn’t used before. I also deepened my understanding of how to design biological experiments with appropriate controls. Most importantly, I developed valuable troubleshooting skills and learned how to optimise protocols to improve experimental outcomes, skills that I know will be useful in any future research setting.
Did you achieve everything you set out to in your original application?
Yes, I achieved most of the key outcomes I set out in my original application. One of my main goals was to gain laboratory experience in gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9, and I was able to do so successfully. Another objective was to support the clinical investigation of vitamin D bioavailability from biofortified tomatoes. While I didn’t take part in running the actual clinical trial scheduled to run later in the year, I contributed to optimising the intervention, specifically the biofortified tomatoes that will be used in the study. This shift allowed me to spend more time in the lab, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It also gave me valuable insight into the upstream processes that take place before a clinical trial begins, something I don’t typically see in my current role as a Clinical Trials Assistant.
Have you had any feedback from your placement host? If so, what did they get out of the FMA?
Yes, I worked closely with Brenda Mionki, a PhD student in the Martin Lab, on a range of experiments. These included, as well as extracting and quantifying 7-DHC and vitamin D₃ from the tomatoes. Brenda kindly shared the following testimonial about my placement:
“It was a pleasure working with Ikeoluwa during her Biofortification Hub placement. During her stay, she was able to integrate into the lab and work on experiments that have advanced our understanding of vitamin D biofortification in tomatoes. In addition, she updated some of the lab protocols that will be used by future scientists. Ikeoluwa was a great addition to the lab.”
Working alongside Brenda gave me a clearer picture of what doing a PhD could look like. I learned a lot from watching how she guided her own research, set up experiments, sought guidance from post-docs in the lab when needed and took real ownership of her project. She was incredibly helpful throughout my time there, and I found her focus and commitment to her PhD really inspiring and motivating.
Do you think having this time in a placement will be of help to you in your existing / another role?
Yes, definitely. Being on the placement felt like an academic retreat where I could fully focus on learning, running experiments, and deepening my understanding of a field I am genuinely passionate about. It gave me the space to grow technically and intellectually, and I’m confident that the skills and insights I gained will be valuable in my current and future roles.
If you are leaving your current role after your placement, what do you plan to do next? More research roles?
I am actively seeking PhD opportunities in the field of sustainable food and agriculture, particularly in the area of biofortification. I hope to secure a position soon and begin my PhD journey.
Are you happy to leave your contact details for any further FMA follow ups?
Yes please. Thanks
