PERSONAL STATEMENT

I am, Lasisi, Oluwatoyin Hannah, a graduate research assistant in the Department of Biology
(Storage technology), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo state, Nigeria. I
hold a B.Tech. Degree in Biology from FUTA where I graduated with a First-Class (CGPA;
4.53/5.00-91%), topped my cohorts (top 1%) and won the academic prize/award of; The
University Prize for the best graduating student in the Department of Biology, FUTA (2014).

I have an interest to pursue my postgraduate studies in the field of Food security stemming from
the knowledge gained during my undergraduate years in Food storage technology, Food
microbiology, Genetics and Bioremediation.

There are several reasons why I want to pursue a postgraduate course in science. Firstly because,
I would be able to achieve the peak of academic excellence when I further my education in
science. Secondly, I am currently a Graduate/ Research Assistant (GRA) in the Department of
Biology, FUTA, because it is the University’s Policy to retain all her best products. Since I am
on the verge of emerging as a young academic in a Federal University in Nigeria, a Postgraduate
degree will help me to be well established in the academic community. Thirdly, the proposed
meager salary as a GRA in the Department of Biology, FUTA, is largely insufficient to cater for
a postgraduate study abroad and the University Council has given me a period of two years to
obtain my Masters degree so that I will be eligible for promotion to the position of Assistant
Lecturer.

As a young graduate from the best technology school in Nigeria, the knowledge gained from
obtaining my Masters degree in the field of science would be immensely beneficial to my Alma
mater in the form of teaching and research. This is why I desire and have been encouraged by
Professors and Senior Lecturers in the Department, to obtain a Masters degree in a well-
grounded university.

MY LONG-TERM PERSONAL OBJECTIVE

Studying Biology as an undergraduate, has made me to realize the diversity of Biology, the depth
of the different areas involved and the research possibilities directed towards proffering solutions
to problems such as excessive wastage of harvested agricultural food products (e.g. tomatoes,
oranges, yams etc) we face in the area of qualitative and quantitative food production in my
home country.

I am an individual who craves for knowledge advancement and continues to pursue areas where I
can positively impart lives and my environment. I am a well-focused, goal-oriented, emotionally-
stable and hardworking young lady, whose desire for excellence and youthful drive makes me an
asset anywhere I find myself. I have the ability to carry out independent research and also to
work in a research team; I can also work with minimum supervision or with no supervision at all.

During my undergraduate years, I carried out a research project which involved the use of plant
extracts to control crop pests. This research has helped me to see that with the use of botanicals
for crop protection, the quantity and quality of food products can be better achieved. Also, the
various hazards facing our environment stemming from the excessive use of pesticides, oil
spillage from industries and environmental pollution can be mitigated, with the availability of the
advice or services of a consultant.

I hold a Bachelor Degree in Biology but this cannot help fulfill my long-term objective of
establishing myself as a renowned and well-seasoned consultant in the vast field of Biology to
both public and private research Institutions, Governmental and Non-governmental
Organizations and other Agricultural firms. Therefore, I intend to obtain a Masters Degree in the
field of Food security and Sustainable Agriculture which will be built painstakingly for the
benefit of science and humanity. And then go on to have my PhD in Food technology after
obtaining my Masters Degree.