TITLE: DR.

NAME: POPOOLA, OLAYIWOLA, AKANJI

POSITION TITLE:  LECTURER I / RESEARCHER

EDUCATION/TRAINING (Begin with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing, including postdoctoral training and residency training if applicable. Add/delete rows as necessary.) 

 Personal Statement

I am a dedicated biomedical researcher and educator with extensive expertise in cell and molecular biology. My research is centered on unravelling the molecular mechanism underlying diseases, with emphasis on the process driving oncogenesis in cancer. I have proficiency in advanced molecular techniques, including DNA methylation analysis, quantitative real-time PCR, next generation sequencing, and bioinformatics. My experience as a visiting scholar at esteemed institution such as the Fred Hutchinson cancer research center, the Institut für Klinische Molekularbiologie in Kiel, Germany, and most recently, Imperial college, London, has significantly enhanced my technical skill and reinforced my commitment to advancing precision medicine through innovative molecular tools. My international collaboration has equipped me with global perspectives on translational research. I am passionate about developing individualized therapeutic interventions aimed at improving clinical outcomes in cancer patients, particularly in low-income resource settings. I have authored publications in peer reviewed journals and presented my works at prestigious conferences, underscoring my dedication to bridging global scientific advancement with local health needs.

Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors

Academic and Research Positions:

• Postdoctoral fellow – Imperial College London   (March 2024 – October 2025)
• Research Scholar: Institut für Klinische Molekularbiologie, Kiel, Germany (August–October 2023)
• Research Scholar: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA (March–August 2021)
• Lecturer: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (2016– Present)

Honors and Awards:

• African Research Excellence fund 2024  
• University of Lagos Central research committee grant 2024
• Alexander von Humboldt Tandem Fellowship (2023)
• Wellcome Trust Travel Grant (2014)

 Contributions to Science

• Popoola, O.A., Samuel, T.A., Magbagbeola, O.A., et al. Interplay of serum apoptotic proteins and oxidative stress markers in prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia. (In press).  
• Akinloye, O., Kareem, O.I., Popoola, O.A., et al. Diagnostic potential of circulating PCA3 mRNA in prostate cancer patients. Scientific African, 17, e01343.  
• Popoola, O.A., Samuel, T.A., Popoola, M., et al. Current evidence for hypogonadism in prostate carcinoma. Medical Research Archives, 11(6). Adekola S A, Popoola, O A, Ogundiran S M, Oparinde D P, Onuegbu A J. 2013.  Is gamma glutamyl transferase a diagnostic marker of prostate disease?Int J Med Biomed Res; 2 (2):147-151.  
• Atere, A., Chukwuemeka, C., Popoola, O., & Olawoye, T. (2022). Serum iron level and methemoglobin concentration among women with gestational diabetes. Biomedical and Biotechnology Research Journal (BBRJ), 6(4), 550-555. doi:10.4103/bbrj.bbrj_293_22.
• Taiwo, I. A,Iwalokun B.A, Samuel T.A, Olalekan A, Adekoya O.K.  Akinloye O.M, Amegatcher G. Adenipekun E, Adewun D,  Anwoju F.O , O.A,  Popoola, O.P, Iranloye B, Magbagbeola O.A and Akinloye O. (2020). Genomic Diversity and Phylogenetic Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Circulating in Africa and Other Continents: Implications for Diagnosis, Transmission, and Prevention. Pan African Journal of Life Sciences, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.36108/pajols/0202/40(0370).

 Collaboration and Network

        Prof. Charlotte Bevan – Imperial College, London

        Prof. Peter Nelson – Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, center, Seattle, Washington USA

        Dr Michael Haffner – Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, center, Seattle, Washington USA