PhD student and Instructor of Record in Sociology with research expertise in aging, health disparities, and mental health. Published in leading journals. Mentor and recipient of multiple research and mentorship awards, including the Nicholas Babchuk Graduate Student Research Award and Dan Hoyt Graduate Student Publication Award. Experienced peer reviewer for major journals (e.g., SSM–Mental Health, Aging & Mental Health).
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Expected May 2028
Advisor: Prof. Lisa Kort-Butler
Graduate Certificate, Mixed Methods Research, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 2025–present
Master of Arts, Sociology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 2023–2025
Thesis: Household wealth and mental health in older adults across racial/ethnic groups: The moderator role of social support
Bachelor of Science, Sociology, University of Ilorin, Nigeria, 2015–2019
Research: Knowledge and Awareness of Dementia among Undergraduate Students: A Cross-sectional Study
Selected Awards
- Nicholas Babchuk Graduate Student Research Award, 2025
- Dan Hoyt Graduate Student Publication Award, 2025
- March’s Mentor of the Month (Illinois Science and Technology Coalition), 2025
- David C. & Morilyn S. More Quantitative Research Award, 2024
- Scott C. Whiteford Graduate Student Award, 2024
- J. J. & Eleanor S. Ogle Summer Fellowship, 2024
- Mandela Washington Fellowship (Application Reader Recognition), 2022
- Best Graduating Student, Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin, 2019
- Registrar Award for Best Graduating Student, Sociology, 2019
Selected Fellowships
J.J. & Eleanor S. Ogle Fellowship, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2024
Professional and Academic Experience
Instructor of Record / Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Sociology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln (2023–present)
- Designed and taught SOCI 252: Health, Medicine and Society (Summer & Fall 2025).
- Led recitation sections and supported SOCI 101: Introduction to Sociology (2023–2024).
Mentor, Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (2024–present)
- Mentored students in research and innovation projects. Recognized as Mentor of the Month in 2025.
Research Associate, Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin, Nigeria (2019–2023)
- Conducted research on social determinants of health, aging, and mental health.
- Co-authored publications on public health challenges in aging populations.
Instructor of Record, Department of Health Technology, Bartholomew College of Health Technology, Nigeria (2021–2022)
- Taught health sciences and research methods.
- Supervised student projects on community health and public health campaigns.
Research Associate (NYSC), Osun State University, Nigeria (2019–2021)
- Supported departmental research on social policy, education, and public health.
Selected Professional Certificates
- ICPSR Multilevel and Longitudinal Models using Stata, 2024
- Introduction to Data and Data Science, 365 Data Science, 2024
- Career Essentials in Data Analysis, Microsoft and LinkedIn, 2024
- Responsible Conduct of Research, Citi Program, 2024
- Google Digital Skills for Africa, 2019
Selected Scholarships
Scholarship to attend ICPSR Multilevel and Longitudinal Models using Stata, 2024
Selected Conference Activities
- Folorunsho, S. (2025, August). Household wealth and mental health in older adults across racial groups: Moderating role of social support. ASA Annual Meeting, Chicago.
- Folorunsho, S. (2025, August). Access to and utilization of dental care services by older adults in Nigeria. SSSP Annual Meeting, Chicago.
- Folorunsho, S. (2025, January). Household income and prevalence of loneliness in older adults. ASA Virtual Mini-Conference.
- Munirat, M., & Folorunsho, S. (2025, April). Healthcare utilization and functional ability of older adults. Southern Gerontological Society Meeting.
- Multiple other paper and poster presentations (2025).
History of Professional Affiliations
- Alpha Kappa Delta (Beta of Nebraska), 2024–present
- Society for the Study of Social Problems, 2024–present
- Midwest Sociological Society, 2023–present
- American Sociological Association, 2023–present
Professional and Administrative Services
- Reviewer for: Annals of Medicine, Global Health Action, SSM - Mental Health, Journal of Population Ageing, Aging & Mental Health, International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, African Journal of Reproductive Health.
- Reader for Mandela Washington Fellowship, 2021.
- Committee Member, Professional Development and Scholarship Development, MSS Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2025
- Student Volunteer, MSS Conference, Des Moines, 2024
Selected Publications
Peer-reviewed journal articles including:
- Folorunsho, S., Abdullateef, R., Suleiman, M., & Sanmori, M. (2025). Social determinants of multimorbidity in older adults in sub-Saharan Africa. Palliative & Supportive Care, 23, e150.
- Folorunsho, S., & Suleman, B. (2025). Aging with HIV in Nigeria. Health Science Reports, 8(8), e71184.
- Folorunsho, S., et al. (2025). Masculinity and memory loss: stigma of dementia among Nigerian men. Aging & Mental Health.
- Multiple additional publications (2018–2025).
Research in Progress
Several manuscripts under review including studies on mortality risk, racial disparities in hospice use, frameworks for health inequalities, and social support in aging.
Community Service
- American Red Cross, Member (#18075962), 2024–present
- Peoples City Mission (Lincoln, Nebraska), 2023–present
Workshops Attended
- Inclusive Teaching Discussion, UNL Graduate Studies, 2024
- Op-Ed Writing Workshop, 2024
- Lesson Planning Workshop, UNL Graduate Studies, 2024
- Neurodiversity in the Classroom, UNL Graduate Studies, 2024
Selected Media Coverage
- Tribune Online Nigeria (2025, April 23). Oral health crisis in Nigeria’s aging population.
- The Guardian (2023, November 15). Dementia care programme launch in Kwara.
Research Software Competence
SPSS: survey data analysis, regression, non-parametric statistics.
STATA: syntax automation, data cleaning, reproducible workflows.
SQL: data visualization, reproducible research (certified).
References
Lisa Kort-Butler, Professor of Sociology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, lkortbutler2@unl.edu
Amelia Li, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, qli32@unl.edu
Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky College of Medicine
