Professor Dr. Anderson Ayuk Agbor earned his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Biological Sciences at the University of Ferrara in Italy and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the prestigious University of Basel (Biozentrum) in Switzerland. After his doctorate, Anderson rotated through four labs in Switzerland, New Zealand, France and the United States (New Orleans) as a postdoctoral scientist.
During those academic tours, Anderson’s ultimate goal as a scientist always was to contribute to basic science research, as well as translational research, and clinical development of new therapies that would help improve standards of care and address unmet medical needs leading to improved treatment outcomes. One vein of research involved colon cancer.
Anderson’s career took an unexpected turn nearly six years ago.
Since February 2017, Anderson has served as a Care Professional for Home Instead® of Collin County in Plano, Texas. In fact, he was honored as franchise owner Todd Felker’s Care Professional of the Year in 2018. At the start of 2023, he will return to research. Anderson has accepted an offer to serve in a senior position as a staff scientist and research investigator at the prestigious U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Trauma and Resuscitation in San Antonio.
How did he end up at Home Instead? His answer: God’s leading.
“When my contract with Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans ended in 2013, I asked God for a research scientist job in the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or with a pharmaceutical company. But God gave me a job as executive sales consultant with Reliant Energy in Dallas, which has no relationship with biological research,” Anderson explained. “After working with Reliant for a while, I asked God to bless me with a job as a medical science liaison or field application scientist. But God gave me a job as a home health caregiver. This too has no connection with my profession as a research scientist.”
Anderson added: “At first, I did not understand why God gave me these jobs with Reliant and Home Instead that are unrelated to my profession, but now I understand. With the sales job, God wanted me to learn how to be patient with customers. Patience is necessary in all aspects of life and all types of professions, especially in scientific research. With Home Instead, God wanted me to learn how to be humble, show respect and do any job I am given diligently.”
Anderson took the job with Reliant Energy to keep life moving while applying for jobs in his profession as a cancer research scientist. Though sales were financially rewarding, the position left Anderson with little or no time to think scientifically after work. He often returned home in the evening tired and exhausted with no time and energy to read or review any published scientific research papers. Anderson needed to do so to keep abreast and updated with new findings in his research field.
“I also lacked time to attend seminars or scientific conferences. For this reason, I started looking for something else less cumbersome that would leave me with time enough to dedicate to my science papers. A nursing assistantship and caring for the elderly was the first thought that came to my mind. Without a moment of hesitation, I chose to pay a visit to the Home Instead office after reading excellent reviews about the company online,” he said.
A humorous story transpired as Home Instead Human Resources Coordinator Kelly Spawn interviewed Anderson and asked for his resume. Anderson initially thought of hiding his academic identity and presenting himself as a high school graduate. Anderson feared that if he had to present as a Ph.D. holder, he would be considered overqualified for the position and definitely not be offered the job.
“Since I do not like telling lies,” Anderson said, “I then pulled out my resume.”
Kelly was overwhelmed by Anderson’s qualifications and questioned why he wanted to work for Home Instead with such a background. Anderson said: “It is the same question I’ve been asked by others. My response was, ‘I love being of great help and service to the sick, the needy and especially the elderly. I enjoy helping those individuals because they are helpless health-wise and deserve our support. I derive great satisfaction when delivering services to such persons.”
Anderson’s father passed away as a result of cancer in 2014 in Anderson’s homeland of Cameroon while Anderson was in New Orleans working as a cancer research scientist. “I was not by his side to help support him during his battle with this deadly disease. I felt working for Home Instead would give me that opportunity to do for others what I could not do for my dad,” Anderson said. “I am convinced my goal and mission have been accomplished. I am convinced of this because almost every Home Instead client with whom I work and their respective families always appreciated what I do for them.”
In fact, his Home Instead clients’ families always called the office to praise Anderson’s services and the good, compassionate attitude that Anderson focused on their senior loved ones. “Anderson has been a very good Care Professional,” Todd said. Anderson never has let up. During his last two weeks with Home Instead, he has stayed so busy as he worked both day and some overnight shifts on all days of the week except Sundays.
“When working with the clients, I always showed humility and compassion, humbling myself irrespective of my professional status. Yes, most of my colleagues wonder why I should be doing this type of work. But I assured them God allowed me to do this for a reason, and God may be preparing me for something greater than I would ever expect. I believe God put me into a test to see if I would be patient enough.”
God provided Anderson with many unexpected fruits of his labor. “Working for Home Instead has been a great joy and fun. When I started working for this company, I thought it was going to be for a short while, but then I realized the degree to which my services to clients and their families impacted their lives and well-being. It is fascinating, though apparently inexplicable, how quickly I fit into the profession when I first joined the company and then kept the ball rolling speedily and efficiently despite having no prior experience in this field,” he said.
“God knew I have passed the test and now He has released my blessings with that big job, a senior position at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Trauma and Resuscitation. I will be conducting research on trauma associated and trauma-induced coagulopathy. Studies include the dynamics and defects of some specific proteins and factors involved in blood clotting triggered by trauma, brain injuries, hemorrhage, etc., and the therapeutic applications,” he said.
Given that San Antonio might be just the next step in Anderson’s highly mobile career, Anderson was asked where he would ultimately like to settle down. “I have been a typical academic tourist for a while. I very much would love to settle down in the great state of Texas as this is my present plan. I love Texas more than any other state, followed by Maryland. But I would not mind relocating elsewhere where my research services are requested,” he said.
All Home Instead Care Professionals are screened, trained and insured. For inquiries about employment, please call (972) 798-4645 or apply online. For further information about Home Instead, visit our website.
