Dr. Idowu Abel Olusola
Senior Lecturer
Personal Statement
I am a senior researcher in Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology with a focus on antimicrobial chemotherapy of infectious diseases, the epidemiology of drug resistance in bacterial pathogens and parasites of public health importance, and genomics of resistance to malaria and bacterial pathogens. I also investigate plant-derived chemotherapeutic agents as an alternative therapy option in microbial infections, with the goal of drug discovery from plant sources for chemotherapy of bacterial infections. My work also evaluates water sources to improve the microbial quality of drinking water.
As a researcher focused on antimicrobial chemotherapy of infectious diseases, my research aims to provide insight into the effectiveness of antibiotics to maximize their use, limit the spread of resistance, and discover bioactive agents from plants with potent antimicrobial effects. My work has practical applications in protecting the life span of currently used antibiotics and finding new ones from plant sources. My work uses genomics to monitor the effectiveness of antimicrobial medicines through surveillance for drug resistance determinants in clinical pathogens as a guardrail to quickly detect drug-resistant cases of malaria and other bacterial pathogens before they become public health threats.
Education / Training
| institution | degree | completion date | field of study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obafemi Awolowo University | B. Pharm. | 1989 | Pharmacy |
| University of Ibadan | M.Sc. | 2003 | Pharmaceutical Microbiology |
| University of Lagos | Ph.D. | 2020 | Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Microbiology |
Positions, Scientific Appointments and Honours
Fulbright Visiting Research Scholar, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA August 2016 to September 2017
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Travel Award for Scientists from Low and Low-Middle-Income Countries at ASM Microbe 2019 in San Francisco, CA, June 20-24, 2019
Selected Most recent Publications/Contributions to knowledge
- Idowu, A. O., Bhattacharyya, S., Gradus, S., Oyibo, W., George, Z., Black, C., Igietseme J, Azenabor, A. A. (2018). Plasmodium falciparum Treated with Artemisinin-based Combined Therapy Exhibits Enhanced Mutation, Heightened Cortisol and TNF-α Induction. International journal of medical sciences, 15(13), 1449–1457
- Idowu AO, Oyibo WA, Bhattacharyya S, Khubbar S, Mendie UE, Bumah VV, Black C, Igietseme J, Azenabor AA (2019). Rare mutations in Pfmdr1 gene of Plasmodium falciparum detected in clinical isolates from patients treated with anti-malarial drug in Nigeria. Malaria Journal 18:319
- Igbokwe NH, Idowu AO, Ezeobiora CE, BA Oseni (2025) Pathotype and virulence of Escherichia coli from adult human diarrheal faeces and water sources in Lagos, Nigeria. Am J Pharmacother Pharm Sci: 003.
- Stephen MC, Igbokwe NH, Idowu AO, Ezeobiora CE. (2025) Preliminary phytochemical and GC-MS screening of ethanol extract of Khaya ivorensis bark, and Flabellaria paniculata and Rhapiostylis beninensis roots. Trop J Phytochem Pharm Sci 4(2):37-44
- Idowu AO, Igbokwe NH, Abiodun OA, Ofomata C (2021). Herbal mouthwash formulated with the leaf extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) exhibited in vitro antimicrobial activity against selected oral pathogens. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioresources 18(3):207-214
Collaborations/ Networks
Dr. Nkechi V. Enwuru: Dept. of Pharmaceutical Microbiology & Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos.
Uloma Ubani: Dept of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos.
Dr. Emmanuel Nnadi: Department of Microbiology, Plateau State University, Jos, Nigeria.
Dr. Benjamin Chan: Yale University, Connecticut, USA.
Mrs. Maria Attwood: Project Manager & Head Research Scientist; North Bristol NHS Trust, Pathology Building, Southmead Hospital, Westbury-On-Trym, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK.
