Marvellous O. Ajala

AI/ML Engineer & Pharmaceutical Scientist specializing in Drug Discovery

Lagos, NG.

About

A highly analytical AI/ML Engineer and Pharmaceutical Scientist with a unique blend of expertise in leveraging machine learning and cheminformatics to accelerate drug discovery, particularly for underrepresented diseases. Proven ability to optimize virtual screening pipelines, design novel small molecules, and lead complex research projects, driving innovation at the intersection of technology and pharmaceutical science.

Work

Bowen University Teaching Hospital

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Intern Pharmacist

Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

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Summary

Managed and ensured the quality-controlled supply of medications, vetted prescriptions, and delivered pharmaceutical consultations to optimize patient care and safety.

Highlights

Ensured the quality and timely supply of medications, contributing to efficient hospital operations and patient care standards.

Vetted prescriptions with meticulous attention to detail, preventing medication errors and ensuring patient safety.

Provided comprehensive pharmaceutical consultations, educating patients on proper medication usage and potential side effects.

Odimegwu Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos

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Research Assistant

Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria

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Summary

Conducts advanced research in Medicinal Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence, and Natural Products, contributing to innovative drug discovery projects.

Highlights

Engaged in cutting-edge research projects focused on the intersection of Medicinal Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence, and Natural Products.

Contributes to ongoing studies aimed at identifying novel therapeutic compounds and optimizing drug discovery processes.

Applies advanced AI techniques to analyze complex datasets, accelerating the identification of promising drug candidates.

JuiceLife (formerly Meuve Health)

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ML Engineer

Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria

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Summary

Designed and implemented an ML pipeline that significantly reduced data acquisition time and developed high-performance models for workout tracking.

Highlights

Designed and implemented an ML pipeline, reducing data acquisition time by 80% and streamlining data processing workflows.

Developed robust models for workout tracking, improving performance by 10% and ensuring 99% system uptime through continuous monitoring.

Contributed to the development of innovative health-tech solutions, enhancing user experience and data accuracy.

Recop.it

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ML Engineer

Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria

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Summary

Implemented web scraping techniques and built a recommendation system to enhance personalized user experiences.

Highlights

Implemented advanced web scraping techniques to gather and process diverse datasets, forming the foundation for data-driven applications.

Developed a personalized recommendation system, significantly enhancing user engagement and experience.

Contributed to building data infrastructure that supported personalized content delivery and improved platform utility.

LAUTECH Teaching Hospital

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Student Pharmacist

Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

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Summary

Assisted in medication review and patient care, ensuring safe and appropriate pharmaceutical practices.

Highlights

Assisted in comprehensive medication reviews, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and appropriate pharmaceutical practices.

Supported patient care initiatives, contributing to effective treatment plans and improved patient outcomes.

Gained practical experience in hospital pharmacy operations, reinforcing theoretical knowledge with real-world application.

Lifebox Labs

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Co-Founder

Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria

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Summary

Led strategic planning and operations, transforming complex data into actionable business insights through compelling visualizations.

Highlights

Spearheaded strategic planning and operational initiatives, guiding the early-stage development of a tech venture.

Translated complex data into actionable business insights, directly informing decision-making and strategic direction.

Developed compelling data visualizations to communicate key findings to stakeholders, enhancing understanding and engagement.

Volunteer

Tutorial Lead

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KWASU-GSA

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Led a tutorial on "Application of Machine Learning in Genomics" for over 50 early career researchers, enhancing their understanding and practical skills.

Highlights

Developed and delivered an engaging tutorial on "Application of Machine Learning in Genomics" for 50+ early career researchers.

Provided practical insights and hands-on guidance, significantly enhancing participants' understanding of complex genomic ML applications.

Contributed to the professional development of emerging researchers in the field of genomics and AI.

Co-organizer, Data Science for Healthcare Workshop (DS4H)

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Deep Learning Indaba

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Co-organized and facilitated a specialized workshop on data science applications in healthcare for industry professionals and researchers.

Highlights

Co-organized a high-impact workshop at Deep Learning Indaba, attracting professionals and researchers interested in healthcare AI.

Managed content development and logistical coordination, ensuring a seamless and enriching educational experience.

Facilitated discussions and networking opportunities, promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange in the healthcare AI domain.

Speaker

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DevFest Ogbomoso

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Delivered a presentation on best practices for "READMEs, Commit Messages, and Comments" to promote effective open-source collaboration.

Highlights

Delivered a well-received talk on "READMEs, Commit Messages, and Comments: The Three Musketeers of Open Source Collaboration" at DevFest Ogbomoso.

Educated attendees on critical aspects of open-source hygiene, improving code quality and collaboration efficiency.

Shared practical strategies for effective communication in development, benefiting a diverse audience of developers.

Core Committee Member

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GDSC Unilag

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Led a pioneering community for medical students, fostering technical skill development and engagement in technology.

Highlights

Spearheaded the creation and growth of a unique community for medical students, bridging the gap between healthcare and technology.

Organized and executed numerous workshops, events, and knowledge-sharing sessions, impacting hundreds of students.

Fostered a collaborative environment that encouraged interdisciplinary learning and application of tech skills in medical contexts.

ML Healthcare Lead

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CohereForAI

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Led and organized reading groups and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on advancing Machine Learning applications in healthcare.

Highlights

Spearheaded the organization of regular reading groups and knowledge-sharing sessions, fostering continuous learning in ML Healthcare.

Curated and presented cutting-edge research and industry trends, keeping participants informed on key developments.

Cultivated a collaborative environment, driving discussions and skill enhancement among ML and healthcare professionals.

Data Science Tutor

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Nsonye

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Taught Python and Machine Learning fundamentals to over 20 women, empowering their entry into the tech industry.

Highlights

Designed and delivered comprehensive Python and ML curricula to 20+ women, significantly enhancing their technical literacy.

Provided individualized mentorship and guidance, facilitating practical application of concepts and skill development.

Contributed to increasing diversity in tech by equipping participants with foundational data science skills.

Education

University of Lagos

Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
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Bachelor of Pharmacy Pharmacy

Courses

Scientific Processes

Research Methods

Medicinal Chemistry

Computer-Aided Drug Design

Probability & Statistics

Pharmacology

CS197: AI Research Experience (Harvard)

AI for Drug Discovery (Uni. of Washington)

DS-GA 1008: Deep Learning course (NYU)

Python for Data Science (Udacity)

Awards

Eko Ignite Hackathon 2023: Winner – Health Hackathon (Solution: DrugPro)

PSN-YPG, Lagos

Won the Health Hackathon organized by PSN-YPG, Lagos, for developing the 'DrugPro' solution.

Bert Leon Strong Scholarship Award 2023: 1st Prize

Bert Leon Strong Scholarship

Awarded 1st Prize for outstanding leadership and research potential.

Bridge Fellowship 2022

Bridge Fellowship

Selected as one of 40 change-makers among Nigerian undergraduates.

PANS National Innovation Challenge 2020: First Runner-Up

PANS National Innovation Challenge

Achieved First Runner-Up position among nationwide pharmacy students in the PANS National Innovation Challenge.

Publications

A Framework for Grassroots Research Collaboration in Machine Learning and Global Health

MLGH Workshop, ICLR

Explored a framework for fostering research collaboration in machine learning applications for global health initiatives.

Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Classification of Microscopical Starch Images for Drug Formulation

Preprint, Deep Learning Indaba

Presented research on using AI for classifying microscopical starch images to improve drug formulation processes.

Languages

English

Skills

ML/AI

PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, JAX, Transformers, Pytorch-geometric, Chemprop.

Drug Discovery

Molecular Docking (AutoDock Vina), MD Simulations (GROMACS), Cheminformatics (RDKit).

OS/Tools

Python, Julia, SQL, Flask, FastAPI, Docker, Git, Linux (Ubuntu), Windows.

Projects

Machine Learning-Guided Virtual Screening of Potential Antimalarials

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Summary

Led the development of advanced ML models and molecular docking techniques to identify potential antimalarial compounds from a large database.

De novo Design of Novel Antimalarial

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Summary

Assessed and designed novel antimalarial compounds utilizing various generative models to innovate drug discovery.

Molecular Representation: Evaluation of Model Performance Drift

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Summary

Assessed and compared the performance drift of various molecular representation models across key drug design tasks.

Undergraduate Thesis: Structure-based in silico studies of phytochemicals in Dialium guineense leaf for antidiabetic compounds

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Summary

Applied molecular docking and dynamics simulations to identify potential antidiabetic compounds from phytochemicals, supervised by Dr. Florence Nkemehule.

AI for Microscopical Starch Image Classification in Drug Formulation

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Summary

Curated a novel dataset and fine-tuned computer vision models for classifying starch images in drug formulation.