DATICAN made a significant impact at the 6th LASU Research and innovation Fair held on October 8th and 9th, 2024. Oluwole Olajide, a DATICAN University of Ibadan Scholar, achieved remarkable success by winning three awards: Overall-Best Abstract Presentation, Overall-Best Oral Presentation and Best Abstract in Physical Sciences. The event, hosted at the Makanjuola Hall in Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria, showcased groundbreaking research from various institutions and individuals.

DATICAN was represented by Prof. Benjamin Aribisala, Dr. Oluropo Macaulay, Mr. John Akintayo, Mr. Blessing Olorunfemi, Mr. Oluwole Olajide, Mr. Daniel Anjorin, Mr. Pius Ifamuyiwa, Mr. Isaac Oyekunle, Mrs. Rukayat Tijani, and Mrs. Yemisi Adebiyi. The fair featured keynote speeches by Rt. Honourable Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa and Prof. Ganiyat Adejoke Adeshina-Uthman, providing valuable insights into the current research landscape.

DATICAN scholars presented topics on Data Science and medical Images Analysis. John Akintayo presented on "Breast Cancer Recurrence Prediction: A Machine Learning Approach". Olorunfemi Blessing's research focused on enhancing breast cancer classification accuracy using transfer learning with DenseNet121. Isaac Oyekunle’s work involved developing a deep learning model for generating synthetic mammogram images, while Oluwole Olajide presented a study on hemoglobin level classification in sickle cell anemia patients using machine learning models. Daniel Anjorin's poster showcased his research on Sargassum remote sensing, and Ifamuyiwa Pius introduced a novel brain learning tool called the "3D Brain Pocket Dictionary." Also, Rukayat Tijani and Yemisi Adebiyi conducted systematic reviews on lung cancer and breast cancer diagnosis using machine learning, respectively.

The closing ceremony on October 9th marked the end of the event, where awards were presented to outstanding researchers.

The Hackathon 2.0 event, held from July 21 to 28, 2024, at Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State, was a comprehensive hands-on training session for DATICAN trainees. This event gathered DATICAN MSc, PhD, and faculty trainees, along with trainers and Principal investigators.

Key activities included intensive coding training sessions, which provided participants with practical skills essential for their medical research. Notable lectures were also part of the event, including a session on entrepreneurship by Dr. Hesham Garfar from the University of Chicago and a lecture on accessing High-Performance Computing (HPC) by Prof. Aribisala. The event was rounded out with workshops and entertainment activities, ensuring a well-rounded experience for all attendees.

The primary outcome of Hackathon 2.0 was that students gained significant coding skills applicable to their medical research. These newly acquired skills are expected to enhance their research capabilities, enabling them to tackle complex medical problems with innovative coding solutions. In recognition of their participation and achievements, attendees were awarded certificates, adding a formal acknowledgment to their skill development.

Overall, Hackathon 2.0 was a successful and impactful event. It not only equipped DATICAN trainees with vital coding skills for their medical research but also fostered a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. The event's success sets a positive precedent for future training sessions, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation to fully capitalize on the opportunities provided.

The Lagos State Science, Research, and Innovation Council (LASRIC) was inaugurated by the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, 14th June 2024. Professor Aribisala, an authority in Computer Science, DATICAN Principal Investigator, and the Director of the Centre of Excellence for Sargassum Research at Lagos State University, is one of the members.

LASRIC will promote an environment conducive to innovation through increased funding, strategic collaborations, capacity-building initiatives, and a resolute focus on locally relevant solutions, among other efforts.

For more information, visit Punch Newspaper

DATICAN organized a coding competition for undergraduates between May 14th and June 25th, 2024. 23 teams applied for the competition. The competition was held in two phases. Out of 23 applicants, 5 teams emerged best from the first phase which involved showcasing their software.

These teams were Team Excellent, Team IntelliTech, Team Konsume, Team Elite, and Team Gemini Twins. The judges, Prof. Ogunde and Dr. Sakpere at the first phase were from the University of Ibadan and Redeemer’s University, DATICAN partnering universities.

The competition progressed to the second phase and was held at Bola Ahmed Tinubu Science Complex, Lagos State University's Main Campus in Ojo, Lagos. Here, the 5 finalists from the first phase presented their projects, with the top 3 receiving awards. Professor Toyin Enikuomehin, Director of ICT, addressed the audience with a keynote speech titled "Adoption of AI as a Catalyst to Medical Service Delivery in Nigeria." Other notable attendees included Prof. Charles Uwadia and Dr. Ayeniko, the Head of department (HOD) of the Computer Science department.

The event concluded successfully with positive feedbacks and cash prizes to the sum of N1,000,000 awarded to the competition's top 5 teams. Other awards of excellence were given to 4 First class students in the department of Computer science.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM on Tuesday, 7th May 2024, received the University of Chicago-based Oncologist, Prof. Funmi Olopade, at her office on the 6th floor of the Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building, main campus, Ojo.

Prof. Olopade, who was recently appointed the Chairman, Medical Research Committee of Nigeria, was led to the courtesy visit by the Professor of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science and immediate-past Vice Chancellor of Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Benjamin Aribisala.

The visit enabled Prof. Olopade, who is the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Data Science and Medical Image Analysis in Nigeria (DATICAN) Project on which she is partnering with Prof. Aribisala, to train students from four universities, including the Lagos State University, University of Lagos, University of Chicago, and Redeemers University.

The visit enabled Prof. Olopade, who is the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Data Science and Medical Image Analysis in Nigeria (DATICAN) Project on which she is partnering with Prof. Aribisala, to train students from four universities, including the Lagos State University, University of Lagos, University of Chicago, and Redeemers University.

The VC, who was represented by the DVC, Administration, Prof. Adenike Boyo, expressed her pleasure to receive the respected professor. Some of the students on the DATICAN project were also on the visit.

DATICAN held its first ever hands on program, Hackathon 1.0, at Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. The week-long event brought together 36 participants from 3 universities for a mix of lectures, workshops, and project development. The opening ceremony featured speeches from prominent figures in science and medicine. Prof. Alex. Pearson and Prof. Runesha Birali delivered lectures on medical imaging and hardware innovations, while Prof. Aribisala offered guidance on data science and article writing.

Participants were encouraged to work on both individual projects and group initiatives, with access to high-performance computing resources. A coding competition was held and awards were given to the top projects by Olorunfemi Blessing, best project, Adegoke Ayomide, second best project and, Amore Oluwaseun, third best project.

MSc Students, PhD Students and Junior Faculty presented the current progress of researches and received feedback from professionals. A tour of the LASUCOM Radiology Department allowed participants to CT, MRI, Image Processing room and ICT Data center. A leisure trip to the beach provided a leisure and enhance synergies among members.

The closing ceremony celebrated the successful completion of the program and the strengthened connections between students, trainers, supervisors, and faculty.

Secondary School Students Coding Training

All members of DATICAN hereby congratulate Professor Olufunmilayo Olopade on her recent appointment as the Chairman of the newly inaugurated Nigerian National Health Research Committee (NHRC). This announcement, as published in one of the leading newspapers in Nigeria, the Punch was made by The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa on 5th January 2024.

According to The Honourable Minister, the aim of NHRC is to foster excellence, innovation, and productive health research in Nigeria. The 13–man committee was set up as a major step in achieving one of the visions of Nigerian government which focuses on improved health delivery, innovation and community-centric research.

Professor Olufunmilayo Olopade is the chairman of the steering committee of DATICAN and she is a Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine in the University of Chicago, USA. She is also the director, Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health, University of Chicago, USA.

Note that DATICAN is the project name for a training in data science and its medical applications. DATICAN is part of the DSI Africa, NIH funded collaborative project between Lagos State University (LASU), University of Ibadan (UI), Redeemer's University (RUN) and University of Chicago (UChicago), USA.

Some of the DATICAN Principal Investigators went to DSI - Africa Consortium which was held at Kigali, Rwanda. The theme was "Harnessing data science technologies to develop solutions to the continent's most pressing public health problems"
From Left to Right - Prof. Alex Pearson, Prof. Samson Arekete, Prof. Hakizumwami Birali Runesha, Prof. Benjamin Aribisala, Dr. Adeniji - Sofoluwe, Prof. Abiodun Adewuya and Prof. Godwin Ogbole.

The first PhD student of DATICAN John Akintayo presented the abstract titled Breast Cancer Diagnosis using Shape Analysis and Artificial Neural Networks at the just concluded Lagos State University (LASU) 5^th Research Fair and got 2 awards.

1. Best Abstract Presentation in Physical Sciences, Transport and Engineering category

2. Overall Best Abstract

Some DATICAN members present at the Assessing Response to neoadjuvant Taxotere and TrAstuzumab in Nigerian women with HER2-positive breast cancer (ARETTA) consortium which was help at Amber Residence, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

The inaugural meeting with the Lagos State University's Computer Science Department, Plans for the upcoming DATICAN program in Nigeria was discussed. This program is gearing up to kick off, and exciting times are just around the corner!

DATICAN team visited the University of Ibadan's Computer Science Department to discuss about Data Science and Medical Image Analysis in Nigeria (DATICAN). It was an exciting meeting where they mingled with experts and researchers. The goal which is to develop capacity in healthcare and tech with data science and image analysis. Big things are coming in DATICAN!

DATICAN management paid a visit to Redeemer's University's Computer Science Department to delve into discussions about Data Science and Medical Image Analysis in Nigeria (DATICAN). It was an electrifying gathering where he interacted with top-notch experts and researchers. The primary objective is to Build Capacity in Healthcare and Technology through Data Science and Image Analysis.