A Nigerian microbiologist, Iyiola Oladunjoye, has bagged the 2024 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) award. The award is in recognition of his significant contributions to microbial sciences and microbiology education in Nigeria, culminating in his Young Ambassador Excellence Award.
The recognition highlights his outstanding work in advancing the disciplines of microbial sciences and promoting inclusivity within the scientific community. Oladunjoye is known to be a global health professional whose work spans various areas, proffering solutions to antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic infectious diseases, and vaccines for outbreak pathogens.
A first-class graduate of microbiology from the University of Ilorin, Oladunjoye served as the general secretary of the Nigerian Association of Microbiology Students (NAMS), pioneering a regional and national body of the association. As the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Young Ambassador to Nigeria from 2021 to 2023, Oladunjoye actively engaged with students and early-career scientists, offering guidance and mentorship to aspiring microbiologists. He organised seminars and professional development workshops, inviting experts from various industries and academic disciplines to speak with students about career opportunities in microbiology-related fields. This initiative was crucial in addressing the need for clear career paths for microbiology graduates in Nigeria and encouraging students to pursue careers in the field. Oladunjoye also helped establish four ASM Student and Postdoctoral Chapters in Nigeria, further strengthening the science community in the country.
Oladunjoye’s efforts to advance microbial sciences in Nigeria extended beyond education. He spearheaded the first-ever Outbreak Exhibition in Lagos, effectively educating the public about infectious disease outbreaks in partnership with the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History at Washington, D.C., United States; and the Rouleaux Foundation, Nigeria.
As a One Health Fellow with the One Health and Development Initiative, he implemented clean-up and zoonoses awareness programs at the Ijora Fish Market, playing a crucial role in preventing future pandemics. In addition to his work on AMR and One Health, Oladunjoye co-founded the Youths Against HIV Discrimination Initiative, advocating for policies addressing mental health, stigma, and discrimination faced by young women living with HIV. These efforts earned him the Princess Diana Award in 2023.
Oladunjoye’s research has focused on critical areas such as the isolation and characterization of pathogenic bacteria from abattoir wastewater, contributing to understanding environmental and public health risks associated with untreated slaughterhouse waste. His work emphasises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, championing the One Health approach as an effective means to tackle complex issues like AMR and zoonotic diseases.
As a recipient of the Erasmus Mundus scholarship for the Leading International Vaccinology Education (LIVE) programme, Oladunjoye completed a joint master’s degree in immunology, immunopathology, infectious and tropical diseases, and clinical vaccinology at five European universities in Spain, Belgium, and France and received industrial exposure at leading biopharmaceutical organisations in Europe, including GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Vaccine Formulation Institute. Oladunjoye is currently a visiting researcher at Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford, working on developing vaccines for outbreak pathogens. This further demonstrates his commitment to expanding his knowledge and expertise in the field of microbiology and vaccine development.
At the ASMicrobe conference at the Georgia World Congress Centre in Atlanta on June 14, Oladunjoye was honoured to receive the inaugural Young Ambassador Excellence Award from the ASM President, Professor Virginia Miller, and ASM CEO, Dr. Stefano Bertuzzi. He said, “This year, the ASM Young Leaders Circle instituted this award for a young ambassador and two ASM student chapters that have significantly impacted their communities by advancing microbial sciences, inclusivity, and promoting ASM’s mission.” This first-of-its-kind award was presented to Iyiola Oladunjoye for his efforts as the Young Ambassador to Nigeria.
Oladunjoye’s selection for the 2024 ASM Young Ambassador Excellence Award from among 118 Young Ambassadors representing various countries and the United States of America is a testament to his exceptional contributions to microbial sciences, inclusivity, and the ASM’s mission. His work has not only advanced microbiology education and research in Nigeria but has also inspired a new generation of microbiologists to address pressing global health challenges.
The conference kicked off on June 13 with the ASM Young Ambassadors’ Retreat. Iyiola was invited to speak about his efforts in advancing microbial sciences and microbiology education, which earned him the Young Ambassador Excellence Award. On June 14, Oladunjoye presented a poster on antimicrobial drug-discovery research from the Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Later, he delivered a rapid-fire talk on sustainability in microbiology, highlighting the need for effective science communication to reduce misinformation and misconceptions.
The next day, June 15, Iyiola presented another poster, receiving valuable feedback from the scientific community. He also presented a late-breaker abstract on “Awareness, Engagement, and Perceived Barriers to Membership in Microbiology Organizations among Nigerian Students and Professionals.” He appreciated the compliments from Prof. Heidi Kaplan, who moderated the session.
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