AFRICA | Mary Adesina, a Nigerian scholar and PhD student at the University of Houston in the United States, has earned international recognition after winning the prestigious American Association of University Women (AAUW) 2025–26 International Fellowship, valued at $25,000.
Her achievement marks the continuation of a journey of academic excellence that began in Nigeria and has now gained global recognition.
Mary's Story and How She Did It
Mary earned her Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Nigeria, in 2018. After graduation, she built a professional career related to her field before moving to the United States through a research and teaching assistantship program,
The research assistantship program is a fully funded pathway that covers tuition while providing a salary as a teaching assistant during her doctoral studies in Cell and Molecular Biology.
Now in her doctoral program at the University of Houston, Mary has distinguished herself through impactful research.
She was selected for the highly competitive AAUW International Fellowship, which supports women who are pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the United States and who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Her research focuses on the role of the ADAR1 protein in regulating immune responses to improve cancer treatment outcomes using RNA editing technologies.
“This fellowship feels like a reward for my consistency and hard work. It reminds me that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well,” Mary said.
Beyond academics, Mary has also contributed to public health efforts in Nigeria, particularly in programs focused on cancer screening and awareness for women.
Before beginning her PhD, she worked with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research on cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) projects.
According to her, witnessing the limited access to cancer diagnosis and treatment in Nigeria inspired her to pursue research that could lead to better therapeutic options, especially for underserved populations.
Her current research explores how ADAR1 — a protein involved in RNA editing — can be harnessed to improve immune responses and increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
While her research applies broadly to different cancer types, she remains deeply motivated to improve care outcomes for women.
Mary also credits her research mentor, Dr. Quentin Vicens, for playing a vital role in shaping her growth as a scientist. “His mentorship has helped deepen my understanding of molecular biology and encouraged me to pursue research that can make a real-world impact,” she said.
The $25,000 AAUW fellowship will support her research and academic development while also connecting her with a global network of women scientists in STEM.
Looking ahead, Mary hopes her work will contribute to breakthroughs in cancer treatment and inspire more young women to pursue careers in science.
“Opportunities like this show that hard work pays off. No matter where you come from, your dreams are valid,” she added.
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