Black History Month Blog Series: Dr. Fola Oluwasina

By Dr. Fola Oluwasina on Feb 15, 2024
Fola stands with arms crossed, smiling at the camera. He wears a black shirt.

Meet Dr. Fola Oluwasina (he/him), a Science Instructor with the Donald School of Business, Science and Computing. He is driven to keep growing and improving in his career as a teacher and researcher.

"When I hear the phrase 'Black Excellence,' it makes me think of the amazing things Black people have done, their resilience and the contributions made by black people in various disciplines. It celebrates intellect, talent, and the unwavering spirit that has triumphed over historical hardships. Being part of the Black community is very important to me because of our rich culture and strength, and it reminds us of the power in our shared stories.

 Celebrating these parts of who I am is an important journey with many parts where I actively add to the story of progress and resilience. I celebrate by honouring the traditions passed down from generation to generation, recognizing the achievements of Black leaders, and noting the problems that were faced and solved. It means getting ideas from the amazing things Black people have done in art, music, literature, science, and every other area of human success.

 

One of the projects close to my heart involves innovations that increase access to high-quality mental health care, as well as addressing the lack of access to healthcare and psychological therapies for patients suffering from depression, anxiety, suicide, burnout, depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and interpersonal disengagement with a vision to identify novel therapeutic mechanisms for treating these diseases through research.

I strongly advocate for the capacity of education not just as a means for individual development but also as a catalyst for profound societal changes. I am committed to fostering positive transformation through empowering people, which extends beyond the boundaries of conventional education and explores the domain of community involvement and the advancement of inclusiveness.

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