For Black History Month 2024, the British Ecological Society (BES) journals are celebrating the work of Black ecologists around the world and sharing their stories. In this blog, Dr Bashir Bolaji Tiamiyu shares his story and journey in academia.
Name: Bashir Bolaji Tiamiyu
Affiliation:
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
- Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
Ecology Interests:
- Landscape Genomics
- Climate Change
- Evolutionary Ecology
- Population Genomics
How did you get into ecology?
I grew up in Ilorin, an urban area that is the capital of Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. My interest in ecology stems from following my grandparents to the farm and, at some point, my father. The most fascinating experience was following my grandmother to her oil palm plantation at the border town between Kwara and Osun state, Erin Ile. Erin Ile is politically in the Northcentral but ecologically shares the same features with towns in Southwestern Nigeria. I have fun memories of spending my holidays with my grandparents in Erin Ile, a serene community with a river (Awere). Also, I became more interested in understanding the important role of nature and nurture interplay during my undergraduate ecology classes taught by Prof. A.U. Ezealor, P.A. Audu, and D. Tanko at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
What are you researching/working on right now?
I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Everhart Lab, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. I am working on the population genetics of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a fungal pathogen affecting more than 400 plant species, including crops like Canola, Chickpeas, etc.
What do you enjoy most about your work or ecology in general?
I enjoyed the accessibility, open science, and reproducibility encouraged by ecology journals. Another aspect of my work I like is contributing via research and published articles to tackle conservation and climate change issues.
What are your hopes and ambitions for the future?
I am looking forward to an avenue to collaborate with established researchers across the globe. Also, I am looking for more opportunities to bridge the barrier while ensuring more collaborative efforts between global north and south researchers. Finally, securing funds through NGOs, companies, and individuals for training and technological transfers.
The theme for BHM UK this year is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’. What does this mean to you?
‘Reclaiming Narratives’ for me means to be proud of our heritage, preserve our history, and broadcast success stories to the world.
Are there any black ecologists or groups who are doing work you admire?
I would like to shout out to Dr. Oyetola Oyebanji, whose work shaped my thinking as an ecologist. I also want to thank Dr. Jose Cerca. Although we haven’t met in person, he mentored me. He broadened my understanding of the influence of the environment on the genotypic and phenotypic traits of plants during my doctoral studies. I am also impressed by the work of Dr. G.G.O. Dossa, whom I met during the 2022 Advanced Ecology Course at XTBG, China; he helped improve my skills in using R for analysis.
I would also like to commend Dr. Samaila Yar’adua, and Emmanuel Chukwuma.
Furthermore, I want to thank Profs. O.T. Mustapha and A.A. AbdulRahaman for building for their assistance and encouragement during my MSc at the University of Ilorin. I want to send my shout-out to my friends, Drs. Gideon Deme, Greater Kayode, and Sarah Getachew for their support during my doctoral studies in China; Dr. Azeez A. Lateef, a lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria; and my last shout out goes to Dr. Sydney Everhart of UConn, and Prof. Wang Hengchang of the Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
Are there any aspects of your academic career or personal journey as a Black ecologist that you wish to share?
I had the privilege of going on field trips from year 1 to year 4, which I believe is an important aspect of ecology. Aside from the fun, such trips will shape the minds of students.
Are there any ongoing issues in the ecological or academic landscape that you would like to highlight or have experienced?
Open science, code sharing and reproducibility in the academic landscape, where all scientific journals will have a section for open research and encourage researchers to share their codes.
If you could see one change in academia to positively impact Black ecologists, what would that be?
I wish we could bridge the gap between scientists by encouraging science without borders, where all scientists will have access to equal opportunities.
