Adeniyi Adewale

Head of Statistics, Alcon

Born and raised in Nigeria, Niyi Adewale learned early on that success was often equated with becoming a medical doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer. With his mother working as a pharmacy assistant in a hospital, medical professionals were the only successful individuals he knew, thus his earliest career aspiration was to become a medical doctor.

However, as Adewale progressed through school, he discovered a passion for mathematics. “Reluctant to abandon my pursuit of success, I explored engineering, as it seemed to be the only profession involving math among the three prestigious careers,” he said. “But my high school results weren’t competitive enough for an engineering college program. Determined, I devised a new plan: I enrolled in a mathematics program with the intention of later pivoting to engineering.” This led Adewale to earn his bachelor’s degree in mathematics, which he enjoyed and excelled in, although he often faced questions about the utility of a math degree. Unlike students in medical, engineering, or law programs, he struggled to see a clear career path. Despite the lack of clarity, he graduated with first-class honors (equivalent to summa cum laude).

Adewale decided to pursue graduate studies, aspiring to solve real-life problems through mathematics, and gained admission to the applied mathematics program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. “At my first meeting with my graduate school adviser, when I sought guidance on a path that secures a job post-graduation, he suggested I explore statistics,” Adewale said. Following his advice, Adewale switched to the statistics program and discovered its versatility. He went on to earn a PhD in statistics at the University of Alberta.

For more than 17 years, Adewale has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in the biopharmaceutical industry, developing drugs and medical devices that improve lives. “I particularly enjoy the strategic aspects of clinical development planning and study design,” he said. “Today, I lead the statistics group at Alcon, amplifying my impact by enabling data-driven development decisions and mentoring junior colleagues.”

In his previous role at Novartis, Adewale initiated a sub-Saharan African internship program, providing an avenue for quantitative talents in the region to gain insight into how a quantitative background can open doors to impactful careers in drug development. “In recent years, I have been privileged to give back through mentorship under the ASA’s Diversity Mentorship Program,” he said. “I enjoy sharing my experience with up-and-coming talents and helping them see the value in their skills, tapping into their strengths to make a meaningful impact.”

From math to statistics in medicine, Adewale said his path was forged in resilience, making the most of the opportunities at hand and a dose of curiosity.