🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Taiwo Oladipupo Discusses his College Journey Thus Far

The Armory recently caught up with Armory Prep Alum Taiwo Oladipupo about his accomplishments at Lawrence University so far - which includes a spot on the school’s Dean’s List!

What are you studying at Lawrence University and what made you choose that school?

I got the prestigious Posse Scholarship, which granted me full tuition to study at Lawrence University. I'm studying neuroscience and biology, with minors in psychology and biophysics. I'm also on the pre-med track.

What kind of research are you doing this summer?

I'm currently doing research right here at the Columbia University Medical Center, working in one of the Alzheimer’s labs inside the William Black Building. Alzheimer's is a really big umbrella with many different fields of study, including other similar neurodegenerative diseases. My area of focus is PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy). I study the protein markers for these neurodegenerative diseases. This is a really big marker for Alzheimer’s that is caused by beta amyloid plaque buildup and tau particles, and this PSP protein is something that influences it directly. We study the behavior of these proteins and the way we can modulate them. My lab is a drug discovery lab, it’s non-traditional and pretty hardcore. We work with organic chemists, testing out synthesized compounds and drugs. We test their stability and stress those drugs with these proteins that have been shown to contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's, using different molecular biology and biochemistry techniques in the lab.

What are your career goals after graduation, and what additional steps do you plan on taking to get there?

ACP has done so much to help set me up for life, and I’m really grateful for that. I'm planning on taking the MCAT next summer, so I’ll have to prepare for that. But I want to work in medicine, which will probably mean taking a gap year after graduating in two years. Everything is going well in terms of academics, extracurriculars, and gaining experiences. ACP has been a big part of that process of making sure I'm on the right track, and putting me in touch with the right people.

What aspect of ACP in particular would you say best prepared you for the transition to college?

Everything. I think the program is so well-rounded, from SAT prep, to homework help, and more. They helped me a lot with my AP biology classes, which helped me get a strong foundation for what I’m studying now. Mary Rose helped me craft a strong scholarship application that made me really stand out. On the day of our scholarship inauguration, the director of the Posse Foundation actually made mention of my essay. Clayton also helped me get additional financial aid, figuring out what opportunities to look for. Lawrence costs like $74,000 per year, but I pay almost nothing to go to school, which is something I'm really grateful for. Rita also connects you with people that will literally set you up for life, which is beautiful.

Do you have any advice for current ACP students for how they can make the most of the opportunity?

Show up every day and do all of the SAT prep. I know that academics can seem boring, but you develop great habits by doing all of it religiously. I think ACP did a way better job than my high school actually. If you’re part of ACP, you shouldn't have the excuse of saying that you were underserved, or that your high school didn't have enough resources, because they'll fill in those gaps. So whatever opportunities you’re given, whether it’s the SAT prep, the writing prep, or Mary Rose telling you to structure your applications in a certain way, just take them. It works. I'm not the first one who’s been able to benefit, so it keeps working.