Adekunle David Micah
Doctor of Philosophy candidate
For his PhD research he is focusing on the Kiwano fruit or African horned melon, says Adekunle David Micah who is an international student from Nigeria.
“I intend to evaluate the bioactive compounds of the Kiwano fruit, and characterise the primary and secondary metabolites and their impact on food application and human health for the New Zealand circular economy.
“Kiwano is planted by farmers in Northcentral Nigeria for immediate and local market consumption, but it isn’t currently commercialised or widely consumed among the populace compared to New Zealand. Therefore, this research will help solve the problem of Kiwano wastes – including the peel and leaves – in our environment by valorising key food products, while fostering bilateral relationships between New Zealand and Nigeria in the future.”
His PhD research is supervised by Dr Thao Le from AUT’s School of Science and supported by an AUT Doctoral Scholarship.
Inspired to make a difference
Adekunle says he wanted to do doctoral study in this field to enable him to make a positive contribution to his country.
“I chose this degree to further widen my horizon and understanding of sustainable supply of food in Africa and the world at large. What drew me to AUT was that it’s a respected institution with knowledgeable experts that will really equip me for my job, and it’s located in New Zealand, which is a cutting-edge country.”
Working with his supervisor during the PhD proposal preparation was an enjoyable experience for him.
“I liked that there was prompt feedback from both ends. This really inspired my desire to study more as I love positive critique to make the research better. The faculty staff and the team at the Student Hub were always very responsive to my queries whenever I reached out to them.”
Plans for the future
While he is still in the early stages of his PhD, Adekunle already has a good idea how he sees his future.
“In the future, I intend to partner with private industry and tertiary institutions on food sustainable development in Nigeria and Africa to help alleviate poverty.
“I could also see myself consulting for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or for other international organisations.”
