By: Nathan Anderson
As a recent graduate from the Behavioral Neuroscience PhD program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Oge Ngwu-Hyacinth has built her academic journey around curiosity, adaptability and a passion for understanding human health. Originally from southeastern Nigeria and later living in London before moving to the United States, Ngwu-Hyacinth says her interest in science began early through frequent hospital visits and an endless habit of asking “why?” — a mindset that continues to shape her approach to neuroscience research today.
Tell us about your journey to graduate school and what led you to UAB.
After medical school, my curiosity shifted toward brain health, and I realized I wanted to dive deeper into the "how" and "why" before residency training. Why UAB? Beyond knowing someone here, UAB stood out because it felt like a hub of clinical
excellence that matched my own pace. When I got here, the mix of high-level science and the warm, diverse community made me realize it was exactly where I was supposed to be (admission offer notwithstanding).
Tell us about why you chose your program and any fun experiences you've had in your program.
After completing a Master’s in Clinical Neuroscience, pursuing a PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience felt like a natural next step. I’m really interested in cerebrovascular diseases, so being in a program with strong neuroscience research opportunities was important to me.
One fun experience early at UAB was the introductory course at Dauphin Island. It was such a unique way to start graduate school - studying neuroscience by the beach and going on sea excursions was the ultimate "Welcome to America" moment. It was a beautiful experience, though, to be honest, once was enough for me!
How has the Graduate School and/or UAB helped you with your professional development?
Before UAB, I had not presented an abstract at a conference. In the three years I’ve been here, I’ve had the opportunity to present more than 15 abstracts, contribute to multiple publications, and attend conferences both nationally and internationally. But it’s not just about the CV; it’s about the people. I’ve been tutored by incredible mentors who have poured into me selflessly, and I’ve had the joy of mentoring students myself. I am more confident communicating my work and am simply a better version of myself.
What advice do you have for new or current graduate students?
This has been the easiest question to answer so far. Success is rarely linear - some days your experiments work, and some days the experiments develop personalities of their own. Learning how to keep going through both is part of the process.
UAB has an incredibly supportive community, with a ton of helpful resources for students and people who genuinely want to help you succeed. Utilize these resources and ask questions early!
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m heading toward a career in academic medicine - combining clinical care with research and scientific discovery, while also mentoring students and trainees coming behind me. I want to be the kind of doctor who treats patients while also mentoring the next generation of curious kids who can't stop asking "Why.”