Meet Olanike Olowokere!

Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from, what degree(s) do you have? What are your interests?

I am Olanike, from Nigeria, where I grew up and had my bachelor’s and master’s degrees both in Biochemistry. Being able to view cell dividing, a complex process that takes place in the body and results in life, in a dish fascinates me. Outside of science, I love living as much as reality will permit me; I do me per time as it comes.

Why did you choose the U for graduate school?

The U, I stumbled on while carrying out a search for a place for me. It has everything I needed to become, especially the cancer institute (yes, specifically the cancer institute). I’ve had to work with cancer patients and their family. I cannot say I feel their pain, but watching is heartbreaking. I needed a place I could be of help to this population, and the U fits in perfectly. The faculties carry out mouth-watering science. And onsite, it proved to indeed be a place to be with great support systems and an amazing work-life balance.

Tell me about your lab. What do you study?

I’m in the Spike lab, where we study triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and mammary developmental biology. We assess proteins that are involved in TNBC and also those that are involved during the development of the mammary gland and are still retained in TNBC, resulting in its development, aggressiveness, and metastasis. With a sprinkle of computational Biology.

Why did you choose to join your lab?

Joining my lab is an orchestration that is beyond me because I had to do a fourth rotation to find “the place” for me. And rightly so, I am in “the place” for me, right where I am supposed to be. It’s interesting to study two separate biological processes that overlap or have similarities (cancer and developmental biology), and you also get to do computation. So cool! Also, a place that highlights their strengths while also laying their weaknesses bare. I felt it was a lab I could grow, think, learn, unlearn, relearn, collaborate, and become an all-rounded person and researcher.

 

What do you like most about living in Salt Lake City?

Adjusting to life in Salt Lake City was initially challenging, especially after crossing the ocean from Nigeria. I experienced some allergies early on, but with time, I adapted. The city is such a beautiful place to behold. From the breathtaking mountain views to the striking desert landscapes just a drive away, and the peaceful peace. I’ve grown to love not just the scenery, but also the warmth and kindness of its ever-smiling people.

What do you like most about being a graduate student?

The ability to constantly find my place in the process of being a graduate student is what I like the most about it. I get to find my place in the curriculum/courses, lab-wise, research-wise, and even find my place in my own curiosities. Being a graduate student helps me to be a better thinker, evaluate things closely, and come up with what to do next. It may not come out perfect always, but the process for me is forever beautiful.

What types of things do you do outside of class and lab?

Outside class and lab, I do me. And me, is a lot. But I mostly love doing me as it comes; I watch movies (Netflix and chill, they call it), I listen to music, I go on fun trips, go on a walk, swim, connect with nature, connect with family and friends, and sleep. Most importantly, I slow down and connect to the world around me.

What does a typical weekday look like for you?

A typical weekday is cell-full. I spend much of my time observing cell division, passaging cultures, and performing downstream analyses. Beyond the bench work, there’s also data and computational analysis and the occasional mouse-related experiments. I get to do all the cool stuff that makes research so rewarding.

Of course, not every day goes as planned. Some days, science doesn’t cooperate with the hypotheses in my head. On those days, I dive into troubleshooting, thinking critically, researching solutions, and consulting with others until I’m confident I’ve done my due diligence. It’s all part of the process, and it’s what makes the journey both challenging and fulfilling.

What does a typical weekend look like for you?

Weekends are often a time for me to catch up on tasks I couldn’t get to during the week. I also take time to reflect on the past week, evaluating what went well and what could be improved, so I can approach the coming week with more clarity and intention. I enjoy singing on weekends, hanging out with friends, and, most importantly, getting some much-needed rest.

What advice would you give to someone applying and interviewing for graduate school?

I’d advise that one, I believe science has a heart big enough to accommodate everyone. The key is to find a place that fits you in science. And interestingly, everyone finds their place in it; researchers, students, the sick, the curious-minded, the layman, name it. Secondly, science is like a volcano, sometimes dormant, sometimes rumbling, worst-case scenario, an all-out eruption. You need a community where you will be supported when science gets too heavy to carry on your own. Above all, trust yourself. You’ve got this.