A Nigerian-Born Scientist, Busayo Oladun, Is Making Waves In The Global Biomedical Research Scene With His Cutting-Edge Work On Epigenetic Solutions To Obesity At Arizona State University (ASU), United States.
With Over A Decade Of Experience In Physiology And Neuroscience, Oladun Is Currently A Doctoral Researcher In Exercise And Nutritional Science, Where He Focuses On How Dietary Interventions Can Rewire Genetic Expression In The Brain To Combat Obesity And Its Related Disorders.
Oladun’s Research Centers On The Epigenetic Regulation Of Metabolic Genes In The Hypothalamus, The Part Of The Brain That Controls Hunger And Energy Balance.
His Primary Goal Is To Develop Drug Therapies With Minimal Side Effects By Harnessing The Body’s Natural Ability To Reprogram Gene Expression Through Lifestyle Changes Such As Intermittent Fasting And Targeted Nutrition. “We Are Looking Beyond Surface-Level Treatment,” He Told Guardian Nigeria. “Our Goal Is To Reverse Leptin Resistance And GLP-1 Receptor Impairment, Not Just Manage Symptoms.”
According To Him, The Focus Is On How Histone-Modifying Enzymes Like JMJD3 Can Regulate Key Metabolic Genes, Such As The Leptin Receptor (Leprb) And The Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor (GLP-1R). These Genes Are Critical To Controlling Appetite And Insulin Sensitivity. “Through Chromatin Remodeling, We Can Switch On Genes That Improve Metabolic Function. This Opens The Door To More Sustainable And Precise Obesity Treatments,” He Said.
His Studies Have Revealed That Intermittent Fasting Enhances The Demethylation Of Repressive Epigenetic Marks, Particularly H3k27me3, Thereby Improving Metabolic Sensitivity. “This Line Of Investigation Is Exciting Because It Shows How Simple, Controlled Dietary Habits Can Reprogram The Brain’s Metabolic Responses,” Oladun Explained. His Work Aligns With The Rising Global Interest In Nutrigenomics, The Study Of How Nutrition Interacts With Genes.
Oladun’s Impressive Academic Journey Began With A B.Sc. In Physiology From Olabisi Onabanjo University And An M.Sc. In Physiology From The University Of Ibadan. Now Pursuing His Phd In The U.S., He Is Leveraging His Strong Background In Neurophysiology, Epigenetics, And Metabolic Disease To Explore What He Calls The “Next Frontier” In Obesity Research.
Beyond The Lab, He Has Become A Mentor To Many Aspiring Scientists. He Has Trained Undergraduate And Graduate Biomedical Students, Helping Them Gain Research Experience And Technical Expertise. “Mentorship Is Just As Critical As Research. I Believe The Next Generation Should Be Equipped To Ask Bold Questions And Seek Innovative Answers,” He Said.
Oladun’s Scholarly Contributions Have Not Gone Unnoticed. He Has Presented His Findings At Both National And International Conferences, Winning Several Awards In The Process. Notably, He Clinched The George Bray Outstanding Student Research Award In Obesity, Given To Only Two Students Annually For Exceptional Research. He Also Won The Emerging Leaders Poster Competition, Sponsored By Barilla America, At The Prestigious Nutrition 2025 Conference In Orlando, Florida. His Recent Review Paper On The Epigenetic Modification Of Hypothalamic Neuropeptides And Metabolic Hormone Receptors In Metabolic Health, Is Gaining Scientific Traffic.
In Addition To His Research Accolades, Oladun Has Served As A Peer Reviewer For Several Journals, Including The Journal Of Medical Internet Research, International Journal Of Research And Scientific Innovation And The Journal Of Applied Microbiology. He Is The Director Of Research And Awards Of The Graduate Students In Arizona State University , An R01 Institution, Further Demonstrating His Commitment To Academic Service.
Reflecting On His Journey, Oladun Says His Success Is Driven By Curiosity And A Desire To Make A Lasting Impact On Public Health. “Obesity Is More Than A Lifestyle Issue — It’s A Biological Puzzle,” He Said. “By Understanding How Genes Respond To Environment And Nutrition, We Can Redefine Treatment And Prevention.” With His Eyes Set On Developing A Safe, Effective Epigenetic Drug For Weight Loss, Oladun Is Proving That Homegrown Talent Can Offer World-Class Solutions To Global Health Challenges.
