From April 11th to 13th, 2024, we at PSN-YPG Lagos had the incredible privilege of hosting a 3-day intensive virtual Research Writing Bootcamp — and what a success it was!
With over 100 pharmacists in attendance, the bootcamp brought together students, interns, and young professionals from across the country, all eager to strengthen their research writing skills, connect with mentors, and take their place on the global stage of pharmacy and scientific research.
Day 1 – Research Foundations and Global Opportunities
Our bootcamp kicked off with Pharm. Melody Okereke, a globally recognized researcher with over 70 publications and a long list of prestigious accolades. Melody shared his journey from pharmacy school to the global research stage — including his experiences presenting research in Australia, Kenya, Namibia, and Germany, and winning the Diana Award from the British Royal Family.
He challenged us to start early, think globally, and take initiative — reminding us that research is not just about data, but about impact. We discussed:
- How to get published as a student or early-career pharmacist
- Fellowships, scholarships, and global conference opportunities
- Building a strong personal research brand
It was an inspiring start — full of energy, insights, and possibilities.
Day 2 – Practical Research Skills and Data Analysis
Our second session was led by Pharm. Adedoyin Owolade, an industrial/research pharmacist with a strong focus on drug discovery and small molecule inhibitors. He shared his experiences conducting independent research projects and publishing in high-impact journals — as well as his current work mentoring over 100 students and professionals.
He walked us through:
- The step-by-step process of designing a solid research project
- Basic and intermediate data analysis techniques
- Tips for writing and interpreting research findings clearly
This session was deeply practical and empowering — many attendees commented on how it demystified the research process.
Day 3 – Structuring, Writing, and Publishing Research Papers
We closed strong with Damilola Bodun, a Junior Chemoinformatics Scientist at Standard Seed AI and the team lead at Chemoinformatics Academy. Damilola has a passion for computational tools and AI in drug discovery, and he brought that same passion to our session on structuring, writing, and publishing research papers.
He helped us understand:
- How to structure a compelling and publishable research manuscript
- The peer-review process and how to navigate it
- How to choose the right journals and avoid predatory publishers
His calm and insightful delivery made technical concepts easy to grasp — and many participants left with clarity on their next steps as writers and contributors to scientific literature.
A Community Built for Growth
More than just a series of lectures, this bootcamp created a vibrant and growing research community. Our WhatsApp group remains active, and we’re excited to see collaborations, mentorship, and even co-authored papers emerge from the connections made during these sessions.
We’re proud of every pharmacist who showed up, took notes, asked questions, and committed to becoming a better researcher. Together, we are building a stronger, more innovative future for pharmacy in Nigeria.
What’s Next?
At PSN-YPG Lagos, this is just the beginning. We’re committed to creating more training opportunities, mentorship programs, and platforms for growth. Stay connected with us on social media and via our WhatsApp community — we can’t wait to see what you do with the knowledge you’ve gained.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s keep raising the bar, together.