Blessing Olabosoye
Career Development Subcommittee
Iowa State University

Research Interest

My research focuses on integrating multi-datasets into a genome-wide analysis to provide multilateral institutions with tools for sharing genomic and other omics data with heterogenous sources while maintaining privacy. I am currently using the transfer learning approach within the context of plant and animal genomics data. Federated PCA, which uses federated learning to understand population structure while protecting privacy, is another technique I plan to investigate. By combining federated PCA and transfer learning, I hope to create a method that allows for private-public collaborations based on population structure and harnesses the power of federated data in making better inferences and recommendations for improving health and welfare. In addition, I intend to develop computational and statistical models that allow for multi-omics integration to understand the biological pathways or mechanisms of phenotypes beyond genomics and phenotypic information. The overall goal of my research is to develop statistical and computationally efficient models that deepen our understanding of biological characteristics, especially those with higher economic value, using multiple sources of data—i.e., phenotypes, genotypes, proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics.

As a PhD-trained scientist, you have many career options. What interests you the most?

One of the things that excites me the most is the opportunity to conduct basic and translational research. Although I am not fixed on academia or industry, I am currently exploring a path to becoming an academic for some time in the future. Having done both molecular-based experiments and computational-driven research, I will be better positioned to solve biological problems using computational approaches. Should I have the opportunity to transition into a faculty position at a research-intensive (R1) university, I will prioritize collaboration with researchers within and beyond my area of specialization. I admire interdisciplinary approaches in solving research questions as they bring divergent perspectives to the table and provide unprecedented insights toward unravelling the puzzle at hand. These collaborations can also help to expand the target of the question, providing a cascading and ripple effect of solutions to some less specific but important aspects of the research question. When I become an academic, team science will be the common denominator of my research endeavor since it will enable me to learn, interact with, and advance computational genomics in addressing societal needs.

Moreover, I see a rewarding career in an industry research role that allows me to concentrate on research while collaborating within an interdisciplinary team at an enterprise. I envision a position as a computational genomicist where I work with clinicians, psychologists, sociologists, and engineers to solve biological problems.

In addition to your research, how do you want to advance the scientific enterprise?

In addition to research, I recognize that disseminating scientific knowledge informs the public about research and its implications for their welfare, while also influencing policy based on empirical evidence. Recently, I participated in a communication conference to enable graduate students and postdocs to communicate science to non-scientific audiences. This experience improved my communication with non-scientific audiences, as I had to present my research to the Senate House Ag committee. Such an opportunity is important in advancing science and bridging the gap between scientific discoveries and non-scientific audiences while ensuring favorable policies are made to strengthen scientific frontiers. Also, I look forward to opportunities to engage policymakers to ensure an enabling environment for scientific endeavors. However, it needs to be noted that communicating science to non-scientific audiences can be difficult, as the audience’s and researcher’s expectations may not align. This expectation asymmetry highlights the importance of understanding the target audience’s expectations and identifying a communication style that fits that audience.

Furthermore, improving diversity in science is crucial to advancing scientific endeavors. For example, my current lab is diverse in culture and educational background, which helps individuals contribute from different perspectives. Diversity improves team science, as it fosters better intellectual participation, expands the scope of problem-solving, and improves overall productivity. Therefore, I hope to seek diversity in research, collaboration, and communication to aid in innovative solutions to fundamental biological problems.

As a leader within the Genetics Society of America, what do you hope to accomplish?

One of my goals within GSA is to create opportunities for the professional and scientific growth of young scholars, especially those from minority groups. My involvement in the Career Development Subcommittee has allowed me to publish an interview with a scientist from a minority group who shared personal experiences that, I hope, will inspire others to thirst for more. I look forward to empowering early career scientists with relevant information necessary for their scientific growth and professional development. This empowerment can be achieved through GSA newsletters, interviews with accomplished scientists, and mentorship.

In addition, I am open to being involved in webinars and meetings geared at exposing early career scientists to the diverse array of opportunities within and outside academia, thereby providing a roadmap to their career goals. It is important to inform them during such webinars or meetings that a career switch doesn’t make them a failure. Rather, it helps them understand what position aligns with their current and future goals.

Overall, I hope to foster an inclusive, career-driven and engaged genetic community that informs and empowers early career scientists for the future.

Previous leadership experience

  1. GPSS Senator, Iowa State University, United States of America
  2. Staff-Student Representative, Newcastle University, United Kingdom
  3. General Secretary, Deeper Life Campus Fellowship, FUTA, Nigeria
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