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At 30, Bahamian scientist Dr. Kwame Glinton is living out his childhood dream in the city of Oaks, Raleigh, North Carolina.
As a quality control specialist at Japanese pharmaceutical company Kwoya Kirin, Glinton works to help companies optimize their drug formulation to phase one submission of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
He previously worked as a senior scientist for Pfizer, a renowned American pharmaceutical corporation, and a scientist at KBI Biopharma.
However, though Glinton has made significant strides in his career, he told The Nassau Guardian that his goal has always been to impact people on a daily basis, and his aspirations to become a scientist began when he was just a boy.
“I always aspired to be a scientist since I was a kid, it was something that was a personal goal of mine,” Glinton said yesterday.
“When you are three or four years old, everybody wants to be a doctor, but I could only see myself being in a lab, testing stuff, just having that feeling, and [being] in that environment, around chemicals and science all day.”
Glinton’s journey in higher education began in 2012, when he embarked on a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Morehouse College, an all-male, historically black college in Atlanta, Georgia, after obtaining a scholarship through the Gentleman’s Club.
He fondly reflected on his years at the college, describing the environment as supportive and encouraging.
At Morehouse, Glinton found brotherhood in students from all walks of life.
He described the move from The Bahamas to the United States as a culture shock, but said being around so many inspired, high-achievers only strengthened his dedication.
“I felt like a number, like an average person in a big pond of people, and that really challenged me to be great, so I think college was probably my highest GPA I ever got,” Glinton said.
He attributed much of his success to his wide support system, consisting of family members, colleagues, and Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers, noting that the negative words of naysayers only motivated him further.
“I can’t express the support I have from my family, family is really important to me,” he said.
“When I was in high school at Saint Augustine’s College, a chemistry teacher told me that I wouldn’t be a good scientist at all, [and asked if] I’d rather be an accountant.
“My pride really kind of pushed me to prove people wrong.”
After graduating from Morehouse, Glinton furthered his studies at Oklahoma State, obtaining his PhD in Inorganic Chemistry in July 2021.
“I wanted to be in the lab,” he said.
“I didn’t want to be in research and development. I wanted to be more in pharmaceuticals.
“I wanted to impact people on a daily basis.”
Aside from his professional work in pharmaceuticals, Glinton also spends his time pouring back into the surrounding community.
He often offers mentorship to those in need, and earlier this year, he used his extensive background in sports to coach a middle school girls soccer team.
He described those experiences as fulfilling, as he said one of his greatest joys in life is seeing other people exceed and reach their goals.
Speaking on challenges he faced during his journey, Glinton recalled the pain of losing his best friend – his great-grandmother.
“It was very emotionally draining for me at that time,” he said, sharing that he attended therapy after the loss.
Glinton also talked about the stressful experience of receiving a failing grade during his sophomore year of college.
“It was the most devastating thing in my life,” he said.
“I felt like I was going to lose my scholarship, I felt terrible.
“I took the hit, and the next semester, I took the class again, and I was taking more credits. I got my second highest GPA I ever got in my life.”
Glinton instructed young Bahamians thinking of obtaining careers in science to never give up.
“Walk by faith not by sight, that’s what I live by,” he said. “Just because no one looks like they have done it, doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The worst thing someone can tell you is no. Don’t give up at all, because you can accomplish your dreams. No one can stop that besides you.”
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