Falayi receives SIU Dissertation Research Assistant Award
Prize enables focus on meaningful research
SIU School of Medicine has awarded Oluwatosin Falayi a prestigious Dissertation Research Assistantship Award for the 2025–26 academic year. The recognition highlights Falayi’s scholarly excellence and reflects the university’s continued investment in supporting future leaders in academic medicine.
"Receiving this recognition was a wonderful surprise, and I’m deeply grateful to my mentor, Dr. [Philip] Jensik, my dissertation committee members and the awards committee for believing in me,” said Falayi. “This award will support my dissertation research, which focuses on developing a safe and effective way to target pathogenic variants in the DEAF1 gene, with the goal of providing a viable treatment model for its associated neurodevelopmental disorders." Variants can cause intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, speech delay and other neurobehavioral issues.
The faculty of the biomedical science program nominated Falayi based on her academic progress and research potential in the discipline of molecular, cellular and systemic physiology. She was endorsed by the Graduate School Awards Committee. The award is specifically designed for students who have advanced to candidacy and are in the final stages of their doctoral research.
The assistantship includes:
- A stipend of approximately $1,750 per month
- A tuition scholarship
- A 10-hour-per-week research appointment
- Support for full-time dissertation work during fall, spring and summer semesters
The award enables recipients to focus on meaningful research without additional employment, ensuring they can give their full attention to advancing research that contributes to the future of health care.
As a recipient, Falayi will also represent the graduate school during select recruitment and orientation events and serve as a peer leader for other graduate students.
