14 The HBCU Advocate


Volume 3 Number 3


Morehouse School of Medicine Student Works to Combat Multiple Myeloma


genes or related biomarkers for MM progression, while on RVD, to find new drug targets for this potentially deadly disease.


Olayinka’s PhD dissertation


research has identified and characterized a potential new drug target(s) to combat MM in patients that have failed RVD treatment - bradykinin receptor B1 (BDKRB1) and associated gene networks.


Dr. Adebayo is mentored by James Lillard, Ph.D., MBA, Associate


Dr. Hayes FROM PAGE 1


appreciation for the support of his parents and community by reaching back to help others—from tutoring fellow students, to the formation of the Dr. JAH Academy in the Dover, Delaware area. As founder and CEO of the Dr. JAH Academy, Hayes emphasizes the importance of educating students and communities in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) which,


through Dr. Olayinka Adebayo


BY MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Dr. Olayinka


fourth-year Biomedical


doctoral


Morehouse School in


and Adebayo, a student in the


Sciences program at of Medicine


(MSM) hails from an eighteen-person household interests


Nigeria. passion for


Her early medicine


and health were cultivated from her mother’s profession as a nurse and her father’s experience as an engineer. She was trained as an internist in Nigeria but was inspired to begin her journey in the United States at MSM as a physician-scientist when cancer impacted the life of her late father.


Her story is featured Is in This What a Hero Looks Like, a


biographical book authored by Bill Haney that highlights Nobel Prize Winner James “Jim” Allison and other scientists' success stories.


Dr. Adebayo’s research seeks


to fill the gap in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind early multiple myeloma (MM) progression in the newly diagnosed patients on standard


treatment for MM, such


as lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVD).


MM is a cancer of the plasma


cell, a white blood cell that secretes antibodies which help to prevents infections and is almost twice as common in African Americans than European


Americans. There is a


relatively high percentage of patients that progress after early treatment with RVD, which is why genetic studies are needed to better understand why these differences occur. Therefore, Olayinka is working to identify relevant


clinically clusters of co-expressed his


academy, is directed toward middle and high school students. According to Dr. Hayes, “The


Dr. JAH Academy is an initiative that is still in operation and many students have been served by our operation. In 2019, Dr. JAH Academy has collaborated


and conducted


various STEM workshops with various organizations such as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment


Program, Delaware


State University Verizon Innovation Program, and many others.” When asked about his future


plans, Dr. Hayes said they include, “to develop a pipeline for inner-city high schools to HBCU STEM programs. He also embraces, as part of his future plans, “is to develop research initiatives that will increase engagement and cultivate the skills for those who are pursuing a STEM career, particularly in clean energy and STEM education.” Hayes’


rise to academic


greatness began in December 2015, when Hayes became the youngest Ph.D. candidate in history to graduate from Delaware State University, at the age of 22. On July 26, 2018, he was honored as “Top Influential Chemist of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals” as reported on the Delaware State University website (desu.edu/news). He graduated from high school at age 15 in 2008. Dr. Hayes holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)


Applied


Chemistry 2011-2015- Delaware State University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) General Science and History – Cum Laude 2008-2011- Lincoln University. Dr. Hayes’ dissertation


was,


“Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies of Alkali Metal Doped-Lithium Am-


ide-Magnesium Hydride Hydrogen Storage


System.” On the “Little


Known Black History Fact,” website, D. L. Chandler writes that Dr. Hayes surpassed all academic expectations and has a younger sibling following in his footsteps; his brother will also graduate from high school at the age of 15.


that


His professional profile reflects Dr.


Hayes has traveled to


Tuscany, Italy, has been a Carl Storm Fellow as a lecturer and speaker while he completed his doctorate program. To say he has remained busy throughout his young life, is an understatement. “He’s authored peer-reviewed journal articles and helped develop an alternative energy system for cars, powered by hydrogen”—for which he co-holds a patent as recorded on the DSU website.


Honors, awards, and accolades are numerous for such a short academic career; however, Dr. Hayes has many, including: Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman Award, Alumni Association of Lincoln University, Philadelphia Chapter, 2016; Leaders Awards Gala 2016 Distinguished Honoree, Leaders Recognize Leaders, May 2016; HBCU Male Student of the Year Award, HBCU Digest, July 2016; and Top Influential Chemist of the Year, International Association of Top Professionals, December, 2018. Dr. Hayes expressed that this award was given to him after a unanimous decision by the IAOTP board. Not only has Hayes achieved success and received honors in his field of study, but because of his perseverance and tenacity, he has attained notoriety for a patent as well: A Rubidium Hydride Catalyzed Lithium Amide/Magnesium Hydride System


for Hydrogen Storage


Applications which was issued in March, 2017. Let’s keep our eye on this talented and gifted young man who has given much to our commu- nity-at-large. Dr. Hayes has been serving as Assistant Professor of Chemistry (Tenure-Track) at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania since August, 2019. His academic journey continues; we look forward to hearing more from Dr. Hayes in the near future.


www.thehbcuadvocate.com


Dean for Research and Professor of


her to further Microbiology, Biochemistry &


Immunology, whom she credits for “never taking ‘no’ for an answer,” encouraging


her


curiosity in scientific discoveries that will make an impact on the lives of individuals who have been impacted


by cancer such as her late father. Dr. Adebayo is excited about


the next steps of her academic journey and appreciates her husband, children, and MSM community for supporting her.


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