September 26, 2024

Muheebat Akinola, MBA, Associate Director, Finance and Research Operations at the Autism Institute, began her career as a student worker, handling basic administrative tasks at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Houston. Her keen observation skills led her to identify inefficiencies in research purchases, which were adversely affecting the entire school. When a position abruptly opened in purchasing, the director asked Muheebat to temporarily fill in for the position. Seizing the opportunity, Muheebat developed a more efficient system for organizing and managing purchases, significantly improving the school's operations.

Muheebat's initiative and problem-solving skills were quickly recognized, and soon after graduating, she was hired full-time. Over the next several years, from 2012 to 2020, she rose through the ranks, earning four promotions within the organization. After relocating to Philadelphia in 2020, Muheebat began working at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. Most of her career had been in post-award grant management, so she eagerly took on the challenge of learning the world of pre-award grant management.

When asked about a significant achievement she accomplished, Muheebat immediately mentioned the PHASES grant (Public Health and Autism Science Advancing Equitable Strategies across the life course). PHASES is a large-scale study that employs a public health research framework to examine health determinants, health services delivery, and health inequity. Muheebat played a pivotal role in managing the submission of the PHASES grant, coordinating seven components of the project while the team was short-staffed. Her collaborative success in securing funding for six out of the seven components was a testament to her organizational skills and ability to lead effectively in challenging situations.

Muheebat attributes her success to her passion for process improvement. She is constantly developing spreadsheets and adapting systems to enhance efficiency. Her commitment to this area was evident during her two-year tenure as the co-chair of the Research Administration Advisory Council, where she fostered a culture of sharing best practices and finding solutions to common challenges across the university.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis, practicing yoga, and watching her favorite TV shows, such as Game of Thrones, The Office, and Parks and Recreation. Balancing work and personal life is challenging, but she always finds ways to manage stress by taking breaks, staying active, and staying organized.

When asked about her hopes for the future, Muheebat emphasized a commitment to continuous personal and professional learning and growth. She is passionate about finding innovative ways to streamline processes and improve efficiency while fostering a collaborative environment that encourages teamwork and creativity. Looking ahead, she is excited to take on new challenges and contribute to the Institute's success, always striving to leave things better than she found them.