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Oduola ABIOLA

Professor
college of Health Sciences (COHES)
Medical Laboratory Science Programme

Oduola Abiola is a Professor of Chemical Pathology and Molecular Neuroscience. He is a Mentor Grant-o-thon Grant Writing Workshop 2023: https://www.seshglobal.org/grant-o-thon-grant-writing-workshop-2023/; Consultant to Dialectica, an information services firm in Europe and North America that connects investors and experts; Consultant to The Harvard Radcliffe Institute, USA: Evaluating Applications for the Institute’s Advanced Study Fellowships; Key Opinion Leader for BD, a leading American Global Company dealing in Medical, Pharmaceutics and Diagnostics; Held the prestigious Medical Research Council UK Postdoctoral Fellowships; Leading expert on Host factors in Spongiform Encephalopathies e.g. BSE in cattle, scrapie in sheep and goat and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and its variant in humans; Certified and Experienced Teacher in Higher Education and Academic Governance; Curriculum Development Expert in Biomedical Science Degree Programmes; Gained international recognition as a leading Biomedical Science Educator; Had several years’ experience of teaching Medical and Health professional students from all the continents of the world at both undergraduate and graduate levels; Supervised several undergraduate and postgraduate students’ research across Biomedical Science disciplines; Reviewer for international scientific journals; Published original scientific findings across Biomedical Science disciplines in leading international journals including Nature Stable and the Public Library of Science (PLOS); Presented several academic papers at professional, scientific and pedagogy meetings in Brunei Darussalam, Canada, China, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States of America; Recipient of 2021 SMLS Benin Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award for Exemplary Achievement and Significant Advancement in the field of Medical Laboratory Science; Recipient of The AMLSN 2016 Award for Excellence

Education
  • King’s Institute of Learning & Teaching, King’s College London: 2003-2006
  • King’s Institute of Learning & Teaching, King’s College London: 2000-2003
  • Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London: 1990-1998
  • College of Medicine, University of Ibadan: 1987-1990
  • Sussex College of Technology, Dane Hill, England: 1982-1984
  • School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, UCH, Ibadan & School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, UBTH, Benin City: 1977-1982
Research

My research has focused on the application of basic biochemical concepts to understanding the pathological bases of various disorders especially with the intent to finding appropriate therapy.

My PhD which investigated the regulation of gene expression by female sex steroid hormones in model systems relevant to psychotic illness, contributed to understanding the biological basis of postpartum psychiatric disorders (Abiola et al,1996, J. Psych. Res. 30(3),229-238; Abiola et al, 1997, J Ser. Res. 4, 1-9; Abiola et al, 1997, J Endocrinol 155, Suppl 2 p38; Abiola et al, 1998, J Endocrinol 156, Suppl, p169; Abiola et al, 1998, J Endocrinol 159, Suppl p3; Abiola et al, 1999, J Endocrinol 160, Suppl p127).

The study developed: a) an in vitro system with the potential for identifying women at risk of developing postpartum psychotic disorders using a number of lymphocyte protein markers whose syntheses are altered by female sex steroids; and b) a physiological, endocrine model which has been used to identify female sex steroid hormone-induced changes in neurotransmitter systems’ gene expression in several brain regions. These female sex steroid hormone-regulated genes provide candidates for future studies on the biological basis of postpartum psychiatric illnesses.

My postdoctoral research included studying host factors involved in the spread of TSEs or Prion Disorders. Our research used BXD recombinant in-bred (RI) strains of mice; a model system which reveals the following: 
i) Varied aetiologies regulating the transmission of prion disease with implications for understanding the heritable basis of prion incubation times (Iyegbe, Abiola et al, 2010, PLOS ONE 5(12):e14186)
ii) A profound gender-specific differences with the initial transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathies (BSE) (Abiola et al 2002, Intervirology 45(1), 56-58); [this has been replicated by others (Akhtar et al 2011, PLOS ONE 6(12): e28741)]; 
iii) A reversal of the profound gender specific differences in the absence of the alpha synuclein gene (unpublished); 
iv) An association between gender and the process of host adaptation (also referred to as the species barrier) in the transmission of BSE (Abiola et al, 2000, J Endocrinol 167, Suppl p85; Abiola & Whatley 2003, Curr. Med. Chem-Immun., Endoc. & Metab. Agents 3(2), 161-169; Abiola et al 2004, Endocrine Abstracts 8, 62).

Interestingly, a gender difference also exists in other major neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (Musicco 2009, Funct Neurol 24(2), 89-92) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) (Haaxma et al 2007, J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 78; 819-824) where a mutation in the alpha synuclein gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis (Jowaed et al 2010, J. Neurosci 30(18), 6355-6359). This suggests common mechanistic pathways involving gender associated biological substrates: the most obvious candidates being gender-specific hormonal and/or chromosomal parameters. In my opinion, the BSE mouse model has provided an experimentally powerful paradigm that is appropriate to investigate this phenomenon. This potentially has huge implications for further understanding and the development of much more effective treatment and possible prevention of these neurodegenerative diseases with gender delineated epidemiology.

In addition, in collaboration with colleagues in the United Kingdom and Canada studied keratinase-producing bacteria from different sources with a view to identifying consortia of bacteria that may be capable of prion protein inactivation under composting conditions. It is our opinion that this will provide an environmentally friendly mechanism for the destruction of prions in case of an epidemic of BSE, scrapie or chronic wasting disease of deer and elk: we published two papers in this area (Okoroma et al 2012, Inter Biodeter. & Biodeg.; Okoroma et al 2013, PLOS ONE). 

In collaboration with Professor. Dhinsa of the Faculty of Education, University of Brunei, I have also contributed to using our knowledge of neuroplasticity to improve classroom practices (Abiola & Dhinsa 2012, Inter. J Environ. & Sci. Edu).

Institutional Service
  • Ag. Provost, College of Health Sciences, Bowen University, Iwo (November 2022-February 2023)
  • Director of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Bowen University
  • B.MLS Programme Coordinator, Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria
  • Dean of the Clinical Chemistry Faculty, Nigerian Chapter, West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science
  • Founding Chair, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Bowen University
  • Member, Nigeria Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Pathogen Control and Reporting
  • Visiting Professor, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Ibadan
  • Former Director of Research & Strategic Partnerships, Bowen University
  • Former Chair, Department of Biochemistry, Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria
  • Former, Visiting Professor, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College, London, UK
  • Mentor Grant-o-thon Grant Writing Workshop 2023:  https://www.seshglobal.org/grant-o-thon-grant-writing-workshop-2023/
  • Consultant to Dialectica, an information services firm in Europe and North America that connects investors and experts; 
  • Consultant to The Harvard Radcliffe Institute, USA: Evaluating Applications for the Institute’s Advanced Study Fellowships 
  • Key Opinion Leader for BD, a leading American Global Company dealing in Medical, Pharmaceutics and Diagnostics
  • Held the prestigious Medical Research Council UK Postdoctoral Fellowships
  • Leading expert on Host factors in Spongiform Encephalopathies e.g. BSE in cattle, scrapie in sheep and goat and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and its variant in humans
  • Certified and Experienced Teacher in Higher Education and Academic Governance
  • Curriculum Development Expert in Biomedical Science Degree Programmes 
  • Gained international recognition as a leading Biomedical Science Educator
  • Had several years’ experience of teaching Medical and Health professional students from all the continents of the world at both undergraduate and graduate levels
  • Supervised several undergraduate and postgraduate students’ research across Biomedical Science disciplines
  • Reviewer for international scientific journals
Professional Service
  • Dean, Nigerian Chapter of the Clinical Chemistry Faculty of the West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science
    Mentor Grant-o-thon Grant Writing Workshop 2023:  https://www.seshglobal.org/grant-o-thon-grant-writing-workshop-2023/
  • Consultant to Dialectica, an information services firm in Europe and North America that connects investors and experts; 
  • Consultant to The Harvard Radcliffe Institute, USA: Evaluating Applications for the Institute’s Advanced Study Fellowships 
  • Key Opinion Leader for BD, a leading American Global Company dealing in Medical, Pharmaceutics and Diagnostics
Selected Publications
  1. Nadzirah Md Said and Oduola O. Abiola (2014) Haematological profile shows that inbred Sprague Dawley rats have exceptional promise for use in biomedical and pharmacological studies. Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research 4(37), 33 – 37.
  2. Nur Fadilla Tanggah, Siti Hanna Muharram, Oduola O. Abiola (2014) Staphylococcus aureus antibiotic resistant patterns altered in student nurses after clinical experience. Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research 4(35): 55-59.
  3. Nurul Fatini Abdul Malik; Siti Hanna Muharram; Oduola O. Abiola (2014). A preliminary study of Staphylococcus aureus carriage in young Brunei Adults. Brunei International Medical Journal 10(2): 78-84.
  4. Nabila Serudin; Hajah Roselina Yaakub; Oduola O. Abiola (2014) Risk Factors for preterm birth in healthy pregnant women of Brunei Darussalam: a retrospective study. Brunei International Medical Journal 10(1): 25-33.
  5. Nurul Adhwa Abdul Rahman, Siti Hanna Muharram, Oduola O. Abiola (2014) Nescafe Coffee beverages and growth of Streptococcus species. Brunei Journal of Health 5: 70-79.
  6. Siti Hanna Muharram, Siti Bazilah Ghazali, Hajah Roselina Yaakub and Oduola O. Abiola (2014) A preliminary assessment of asymptomatic bacteriuria of pregnancy in Brunei Darussalam. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 21(2); 7-12.
  7. Zaidah Rizidah Murang, Siti Hanna Muharram and Oduola O. Abiola (2014) Investigating Brunei’s Seafood for Vibrio parahaemolyticus Using The Most Probable Number Polymerase Chain Reaction. Asian Journal of Medical Science 5(2), 33-39.
  8. Emeka A. Okoroma, Diane Purchase, Hemda Garelick, Roger Morris, Michael H. Neale, Otto Windl and Oduola O. Abiola (2013) Enzymatic formulation capable of degrading scrapie prion under mild digestive conditions. PLOS One http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0068099. 
  9. Emeka A. Okoroma, Hemda Garelick, Oduola O. Abiola and Diane Purchase (2012) Identification and characterisation of a Bacillus licheniformis strain with profound keratinase activity for degradation of melanised feather. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 74, 54-60.
  10. Oduola O. Abiola & Hakirat S Dhindsa (2012) Improving classroom practices using our knowledge of how the brain works. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education 7(1), 71-81.
  11. Oduola Abiola, Mohamed Mabruk, Mohammad Moshaddeqque Hossain & Zorah Hj Sulaiman (2011) Research Clusters in Brunei Darussalam. Brunei International Medical Journal 7(2), 64-71.
  12. Conrad O. Iyegbe, Oduola O. Abiola, Chris Towlson, John F. Powell, Steven A. Whatley (2010) Evidence for varied aetiologies regulating the transmission of prion disease: Implications for understanding the heritable basis of prion incubation times PLOS ONE, 5(12): e14186. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0014186. 
  13. Nurolaini Pg Hj Muhd Kifli & Oduola O Abiola (2008) Learning and teaching: higher education’s institutional capacity building blocks in the knowledge economy. Proceedings of South East Asia Conference for Institutional Research Surabaya, Indonesia. 4-6 November 2008; pg 545-550.
  14. Oduola O. Abiola (2008) Understanding the relationship between the university and the wider society in the knowledge based economic world order. Proceedings of South East Asia Conference for Institutional Research, Surabaya, Indonesia 4-6 November 2008; pp 670-674.
  15. O. O. Abiola, (2007) Being Professionals as University Teachers! UBD Institute of Education Journal (Proceedings of 12th International Conference on Education) pp77-84.
  16. Oduola O. Abiola, Joe M. Angel et al (2003) The nature and identification of quantitative trait loci: a community’s view; The Complex Trait Consortium (CTC). Nature Reviews Genetics 4, 911-916.
  17. Oduola O. Abiola and S.A. Whatley (2003) Gender, Hormones and Transmissible Encephalopathies. Current Medicinal Chemical Immunology Endocrinology & Metabolism Agents 3, 161-169.
  18. Oduola O. Abiola Iyegbe Conrad, Lantos Peter, Plomin Robert, Anderton Brian H and Whatley Stephen A (2002) Profound sex-specific effects on incubation times for transmission of BSE to mice. Intervirology 45(1), 56-58.
  19. Oduola O. Abiola, Whatley Stephen A and Campbell Iain C (1997) 5HT1A receptor expression in the rat hippocampus is correlated with changes in female sex steroids. Journal of Serotonin Research 4, 1-9.
  20. Olubodun JO, Akingbade OA and Oduola O. Abiola (1997) Salt intake and blood pressure in Nigerian hypertensive patients. International Journal of Cardiology 59(2), 185-188.
  21. Abiola Oduola O, Checkley Stuart A, Campbell Iain C and Whatley Stephen A (1996) Effects of female sex steroids on protein synthesis in cultured human lymphocytes. Journal of Psychiatry Research 30(3), 229-238.
  22. Oduola O. Abiola, Olubodun JO, Agbedana EO and Taylor GO (1996) Serum lipids in black Africans on chronic ambulatory dialysis. Peritoneal Dialysis International 16(3), 333-334.