Mr. Sola Ogunmodede | Host-Pathogen Interactions | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Sola Ogunmodede, Helix Biogen Institute, Nigeria

Olusola Peter Ogunmodede is a microbiologist and researcher at Helix Biogen Institute, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, specializing in medical mycology, fungal genomics, and bioinformatics diagnostics. He earned his MSc in Microbiology from the University of Lagos, where he investigated Neurospora crassa’s growth and mating patterns, and a B.Tech from LAUTECH, where he focused on bioactive fungal metabolites. He is passionate about addressing global health threats through innovative, cost-effective diagnostic tools, especially in resource-limited settings. Olusola has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications, including studies on peptide-based diagnostics for cholera and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and has led or contributed to antimicrobial and genomic research projects. In addition to his research, he teaches bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques to students and professionals. Through community outreach on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and youth mentorship, he combines scientific excellence with civic engagement, making him a rising star in biomedical research.

Publication Profile: 

Orcid

✅ Strengths for the Award:

1. Extensive Research Contributions: With published works in Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research, and In Silico Research in Biomedicine, Mr. Ogunmodede has co-authored impactful studies in infectious disease diagnostics, fungal bioactive compounds, and computational biology.

2. Interdisciplinary Research: His projects span medical mycology, bioinformatics, environmental microbiology, and biotechnology, showing adaptability and scientific depth.

3. Leadership Experience: Progressed from Assistant Project Manager to Project Manager at Helix Biogen Institute, evidencing strong organizational and scientific leadership capabilities.

4. Community and Teaching Involvement: Demonstrated commitment to science communication, mentorship, and community service—notably in NTD awareness and prison outreach.

5. Technical Expertise: Competent in bioinformatics, NGS, GC-MS, PCR, and fungal metabolite extraction—skills relevant to modern microbiological research.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

1. Independent Research Leadership: While collaborative efforts are commendable, initiating and leading first-author research or grant-funded projects would further strengthen his academic identity.

2. Global Collaborations: Expanding international partnerships or postdoctoral research exposure could enhance visibility and diversify methodologies.

3. Data Science Fluency: Building advanced skills in AI-based diagnostics, big data genomics, or machine learning would broaden his research scope.

4. Publication Frequency: While the quality of his publications is notable, maintaining consistency in publication output across more years would support a long-term scholarly trajectory.

🎓 Education:

Olusola Peter Ogunmodede holds an MSc in Microbiology from the University of Lagos, where he explored carbon utilization and genetic typing of Neurospora crassa. His B.Tech in Microbiology was awarded by Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), where his research focused on endophytic fungal metabolites and their bioactive compounds using GC-MS. His academic path began with a National Diploma (ND) in Science Laboratory Technology from Federal Polytechnic Bida, with an applied project on aquaculture pond development. Each stage of his education has built a layered expertise in microbial physiology, antimicrobial studies, and bioanalytical techniques. His academic work has consistently integrated field relevance with lab-based precision, culminating in strong publications and practical applications in diagnostics, antimicrobial discovery, and environmental sustainability. His diverse educational background underpins a research philosophy rooted in innovation, interdisciplinary knowledge, and public health impact.

💼 Experience:

Olusola Peter Ogunmodede is currently a Project Manager at Helix Biogen Institute, where he leads diagnostic development projects for cholera, CCHF, and H5N1, manages timelines, trains researchers in bioinformatics, and oversees biodegradability studies. Previously, he served as an Assistant Project Manager, executing similar responsibilities. He also has a background in secondary school teaching, where he taught Biology, Agricultural Science, and Technical Drawing, reflecting his ability to engage at all levels of education. His research experience includes peptide-centric diagnostic design, fungal metabolite analysis, biogas generation, and environmental biodegradation testing. He’s proficient in both traditional microbiology techniques and modern molecular tools like PCR, sequencing, and in silico modeling. Additionally, he’s an Instructor at Helix Biogen, teaching NGS, Sanger sequencing, and basic bioinformatics. His strong balance of project leadership, lab research, and academic teaching makes him a versatile and highly effective researcher.

🔬 Research Focus:

Olusola Peter Ogunmodede’s research centers around the bioactive potential of fungi, molecular diagnostics, and antimicrobial resistance. He is especially interested in the use of fungal metabolites as alternatives to synthetic antimicrobials, and the genetic and physiological profiling of fungi in relation to infectious diseases. His work bridges wet-lab and computational techniques, applying bioinformatics for designing peptide-based diagnostics for diseasesvsuch as cholera, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and yaws. He also investigates the biodegradability of medical materials, promoting sustainability in biomedical innovation. Olusola’s MSc work on Neurospora crassa and undergraduate research on endophytic fungi laid the foundation for his continued exploration into fungal biodiversity and its applications. His recent projects employ computational tools to develop point-of-care diagnostic kits, targeting low-resource environments where fast, accurate diagnostics are critical. His goal is to integrate genomic science and public health interventions for disease surveillance and control in tropical regions.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

1. 🧬 Computational Modeling and Validation of Predicted Diagnostic Peptides for Crimean–Congo’s Disease – Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2025

2. 🧪 Innovative Biomarker Design for Cholera Diagnosis through Bioinformatics Analysis – In Silico Research in Biomedicine, 2025

3. 🍄 Synthesis of Endophytic Fungi Metabolites, Antimicrobial Potentials, and Detection of their Bioactive Molecules Using GC-MS – Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research, 2022

4. 🦠 Molecular Characterization, Antimicrobial and Larvicidal Potentials of Fungi from Soil Samples of LAUTECH Botanical Garden – Archive of Science & Technology, 2020

🧾 Conclusion:

Olusola Peter Ogunmodede is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award in view of his technical versatility, impactful publications, leadership in diagnostic tool development, and community engagement. With further investment in independent research leadership and global exposure, he stands out as a promising and emerging scholar in medical microbiology and bioinformatics.