Dr Olawande Olagoke is a biomedical scientist with about a decade of experience practising in academia and the healthcare industry, through international fellowships and positions at BIDMC & Harvard Medical School, UFSM Brazil and KIU Uganda. His research experience spans the development of predictive models of health and disease, as well as the discovery and safety assessment of functional foods with bioactive compounds, and he has authored/co-authored over a dozen peer-reviewed articles. As a lecturer, he has been involved in the development and implementation of physiology and toxicology teaching curriculums, modules and case studies. He is also actively involved in mentoring the next generation of scientists via platforms like the Toxicology Mentoring and Skills Development Training (directed by the University of California Davis and the Society of Toxicology), and the International Research Initiative (directed by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health). Dr Olawande has provided expert service for professional bodies and committees including the SOT Continuing Education Committee, Graduate Student Leadership Committee, Professional Development Subcommittee, Food Safety Specialty Section and Toxicologists of African Origin. He is currently the vice chair of the SOT PDA Executive Board.