Last month, the spotlight was on Dr Susan Campbell, our Local Ambassador Representative leading our Ambassador programme whilst sitting on our Council of Trustees.

This month, our focus is on Kenneth Bitrus David, one of our International Ambassadors at Kaduna State University in Nigeria. As part of the Ambassador network, Kenneth supports the Society in promoting its activities and being the first point of contact for the Society at his institution.

What was your experience with the Society before becoming an Ambassador and what inspired you to get more involved with the Society?

I first learned about the Biochemical Society when I attended the Drug Repurposing II Conference organised by the Society in 2022 at Woburn House, London. As this was my first international conference, I was immediately struck by how welcoming the environment was and by the high quality of the scientific discussions. Beyond the excellent presentations, I was inspired by how intentionally the Society supported early career researchers and promoted inclusivity in science. That experience motivated me to engage more deeply, as I saw a real opportunity to contribute to building scientific capacity, particularly in low-resource settings.

Can you share any ways in which you have promoted the Society during your term as Ambassador?

I have promoted the Society through both formal and informal platforms. Informally, I engage students and staff in one-on-one conversations, sharing opportunities and directing them to relevant resources on the Society’s website. I have also nominated outstanding undergraduates from Kaduna State University for the Undergraduate Registration Award, which helped remove financial barriers and enabled them to participate in conferences and professional development activities. These awards were presented during campus-wide events such as seminars and conferences (including the Early Career Life Scientists Conference; ECLS2025), helping to raise awareness of the Society.

In addition, I organised a career development seminar on campus to expose students to opportunities in biomolecular sciences and research careers and coordinated an exhibition during the 2025 matriculation ceremony for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. This exhibition introduced new students to the Biochemical Society, highlighted its mission, and encouraged early engagement with the scientific community.

What skills and experiences have you gained from being part of the Society?

Being part of the Society has strengthened my leadership, communication, and project management skills. Through this role, I have gained hands-on experience in stakeholder engagement, event coordination, project management, and advocacy. I have also developed confidence in mentoring students and guiding early career researchers toward funding opportunities, conferences, and learning resources. Importantly, the role has expanded my professional network internationally and exposed me to best practices in inclusive science, public engagement, and academic collaboration.

How has your role as Ambassador benefited you and your institution/department?

Serving as an Ambassador has given me a platform to engage faculty leadership and university management in conversations around strengthening biomolecular sciences and research culture. The university has been very supportive, granting permission and institutional backing for all Biochemical Society-supported activities on campus. This has helped create new learning opportunities for students and has increased visibility of global scientific networks within our department. It has also encouraged greater student participation in research and professional development. Personally, the role has enhanced my confidence as a science advocate and reinforced my commitment to building equitable access to scientific opportunities.

If you’re interested in becoming a Biochemical Society Ambassador, applications are now open. Please check our current available opportunities and apply before 2 March 2026.