Nifemi Ogundare

Hello! My name is Nifemi Ogundare and I am a third-year honours life sciences student at McMaster University. I am passionate about healthcare research, particularly in areas that address inequities faced by racialized and historically underserved communities. My long-term goal is to contribute to more equitable healthcare by combining research and community engagement.

My experience reflects both scientific and community-based work. Since September 2025, I have been working in Dr. Joanna Wilson’s Aquatic Toxicology Lab in the Department of Biology at McMaster University. In this role, I have contributed to controlled exposure experiments, including rearing and maintaining Capitella populations and assisting with laboratory protocols that examine the physiological and behavioural effects of environmental stressors. 

Beyond the lab, I have been actively involved in community advocacy. I worked with the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario on initiatives focused on raising awareness for sickle cell disease, a condition that disproportionately affects the Black community yet remains underrepresented in public health conversations. This experience was particularly meaningful to me, as it reflects the kind of work I hope to pursue in the future by bridging gaps between research, awareness and community impact. Additionally, I have served as a Black Student Success Ambassador at McMaster University, where I support and uplift Black students through mentorship and community-building initiatives. Altogether, my academic, research and advocacy experiences have shaped my commitment to advancing health equity and using science as a tool for meaningful social change.

In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball, going thrifting and experimenting with new foods. This summer I look forward to working with Dr. Certina Ho in drug safety and pharmacy education as a part of the AMGEN Scholars Program!