Dr Itopa Ajayi, PhD

Head of Technology and Innovation

Itopa, a co-founder of DECENT Database, has led a stellar career in the prestigious environments of The University of Queensland, Australia and The University of Abuja, Nigeria, researching, teaching, and supporting general academic activities. Itopa obtained a PhD in Systems Neuroscience (Descending Motor Control) from The University of Queensland in 2016 by investigating emotions and homeostasis under the broad theme ‘Limbic modulation of the autonomic nervous system’. Itopa successfully demonstrated the ability of the ventral hippocampus to regulate cardiorespiratory functions, against popular opinion, and highlighted the circuit physiology and anatomy between the ventral hippocampus and amygdala that forms the substrate for modulating autonomic function. Upon concluding his PhD, he was appointed the Head of Department, Veterinary Anatomy, University of Abuja, where he further developed administrative and leadership skills. After a successful tenure, Itopa returned to Australia, where he currently applies his skills to enhance the research experience in the Animal Behavioural Facility of Queensland Brain Institute. Itopa also holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Bachelor’s degree and a Masters in Neuroanatomy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Itopa is passionate about research and has over 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications to his credit. His goal is to create advanced research solutions that bridge the deep knowledge gap across the globe.

Selected Publications

1.  Itopa E Ajayi, Paul C Mills (2017). Effects of the hippocampus on the motor expression of augmented breaths. PLoS One 12 (8:e0183619).

2.  Ajayi, Itopa E., McGovern, Alice E., Driessen, Alexandria K., Kerr, Nicole F., Mills, Paul C. and Mazzone, Stuart B. (2018). Hippocampal modulation of cardiorespiratory function. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 252-253, 18-27. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2018.03.004.

3.  Ajayi, Itopa E. (2019). Anatomy of the hippocampus and its emerging roles in modulating emotion-dependent autonomic activities. Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, 124 (3), 337-352. doi: 10.13128/ijae-11663.

Dr Taiwo Odedairo, PhD

Head of Operations

Taiwo is one of the co-founders of DECENT Database. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from The University of Queensland, Australia in 2016, where he investigated the conversion of CO₂ and CH₄ into syngas (H₂ and CO) on heterogeneous catalysts using both conventional fixed-bed and plasma reactors. He followed this with a postdoctoral position at the Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation, Australia, where he focused on methane pyrolysis and CO₂ reforming of methane. He also holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia. He previously worked as a Research Engineer for about two years with SABIC, Saudi Arabia, a leading petrochemical and Chemicals Company, where he co-invented 6 US patents, with 4 out of the 6 patents currently granted and active. Taiwo has published more than 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Selected Publications

1. Taiwo Odedairo, Yan Xuecheng, Yao Xiangdong, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov and Zhonghua Zhu, Hexagonal Sphericon Hematite with High Performance for Water Oxidation. Advanced Material, 2017.

2. Taiwo Odedairo, Jun Ma, Yi Gu, Jiuling Chen, X.S. Zhao, Zhonghua Zhu, One-pot synthesis of carbon nanotube/graphene hybrids via syngas production. Journal of Material Chemistry A, 2014.

3. Mohammed Al-Hazmi, Taiwo Odedairo,  Al-Zenaidia Ahmed, Sulaiman Al-Khattaf, Yassir Nabil, Aitani Abdullah, Siddiqui Abdulbari, “Catalytic methods for converting naphtha into olefins” United States Patent, US 10099210 B2 (2018) – Granted

Michael Obiodogwu

Chief Financial Officer

Michael is an Australian, and one of the co-founders of DECENT Database. He obtained his Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical & Production Engineering, at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.  Michael is a Professional Mechanical Engineer with over 11 years of extensive industrial experience.  He’s an expert in compressed air system design with several complex projects delivered to his credit. He independently conceptualised, designed, installed, and successfully commissioned the first of its kind in the Middle East, a Nitrogen Generation Plant for an Airline Company in Manama, Bahrain. His expertise extends to chilled water system design where he manages several chilled water system design projects in Brisbane, Australia. Michael is always passionate about working on more challenging engineering projects as he derives joy in proffering solutions to more complex engineering projects. Michael is a blockchain enthusiast and has been following up with the trends in blockchain technology since 2015.

Dr Luqman Atanda, PhD

Administrative Manager

Luqman has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from The University of Queensland, Australia where his research was on the catalytic conversion of cellulosic biomass to bulk chemicals that are intermediates for the production of bio-based fuels, chemicals, and plastics. He then went on to work as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Nanomaterials Centre at The University of Queensland on an Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funded project to demonstrate the feasibility of biocrude upgrade using catalytic fast pyrolysis process. At present, he is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy (CAB), University of Technology, Queensland where he is demonstrating the feasibility of the production of aviation jet fuels from agricultural waste utilising the Mercurius Biorefinery Technology. Dr Atanda’s research output spans across heterogeneous catalysis, green chemistry, fine chemicals synthesis, biofuels synthesis and biorefining, and he has more than 25 peer-reviewed articles published in reputable journals.

Selected Publications

1. L. Atanda, G.L.L. Fraga, M.H.M. Ahmed, N. Batalha, W. Aslam, M. Konarova, Conversion of agricultural waste into stable biocrude using spinel oxide catalysts, J. Haz. Mater. 402 (2021) 123539.

2. S. Mukundan, D.C. Boffito, A. Shrotri, L. Atanda, J.N. Beltramini, G.S. Patience, Thermocatalytic hydrodeoxygenation and depolymerisation of waste lignin to oxygenates and biofuels in a continuous flow reactor at atmospheric pressure, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 8 (2020) 13195-13205

3. L. Atanda, A. Shrotri, S. Mukundan, Q. Ma, M. Konarova, J. Beltramini, Direct production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural via catalytic conversion of simple and complex sugars over phosphated TiO2, ChemSusChem, 8 (2015) 2907-2916.

Dr. Morenikeji Akinlotan, PhD

Administrative Manager

Morenikeji is an applied mathematician with 9+ years of experience in the mathematical modelling of epidemiological/infectious diseases and complex biological processes across a number of projects. Her research works include the development of mathematical and computational models of human and zoonotic (infectious) diseases, ecological and environmental systems, or health systems, in order to inform public/governmental health policies with on-the-ground application. Morenikeji also has impressive teaching/lecturing skills plus a demonstrated work ethic with 10+ years as a mathematics tutor, casual lecturer, and computer lab demonstrator. She currently works as a Research Fellow at the Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Selected Publications

1. Morenikeji D. Akinlotan, Dann G. Mallet and Robyn Araujo. Mathematical Modelling of the Role of Mucosal Vaccine on the Within-host Dynamics of Chlamydia trachomatis. Journal of Theoretical Biology 497 (2020): 110291.

2. Morenikeji D. Akinlotan, Dann G. Mallet and Robyn Araujo. An Optimal control model of the treatment of chronic Chlamydia trachomatis infection using a combination treatment with antibiotic and tryptophan Applied Mathematics and Computation 375 (2020): 124899.

Dr Akefe Isaac

Administrative Manager

Dr Akefe Isaac is an expert biomedical researcher focusing on basic cellular mechanisms and/or pathways involved in the development and progression of oxidative stress in memory impairment, and disease-related pathology. His research also focuses on finding alternative antioxidant therapy for the amelioration of oxidative stress and enhancement of memory. He is an expert in cell and animal model (rodent species) studies, used in medical research to investigate disease mechanisms and novel drug discovery. Akefe’s skills in tissue culture, flow cytometry, polymerase chain reaction, histology, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry, gained by training during his postgraduate research study is useful for disease diagnosis and helpful to clinicians in patient’s care. Akefe is currently a lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos Nigeria, with several active ongoing research collaborations internationally, including Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Nigeria, and the USA.

Selected Publications

1. Akefe, I., Ayo, J., & Sinkalu, V. (2021). Assortment of kaempferol and zinc gluconate improves noise-induced biochemical imbalance and deficits in body weight gain. Experimental Results 1-21. doi:10.1017/exp.2021.30, (Cambridge core).

2. Akefe IO, Ayo JO, Sinkalu VO (2020) Kaempferol and zinc gluconate mitigate neurobehavioral deficits and oxidative stress induced by noise exposure in Wistar rats. PLOS ONE 15(7): e0236251. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236251.

3. Akefe IO, Yusuf IL, Adegoke VA (2019). C-glycosyl flavonoid orientin alleviates learning and memory impairment by radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation in mice via improving antioxidant defence mechanism. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, 9:518523. doi.org/10.4103/2221-1691.271725.

Dr Paul Philip

Administrative Manager

Philip is a veterinarian and a PhD student at the School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, with broad interests in infectious diseases, epidemiology, and One Health.   The central focus of his PhD is to quantify rabies transmission risk in Nigeria to support prevention and control efforts towards attaining zero human rabies deaths mediated via dogs by 2030.

Selected Publications

1. Philip P. Mshelbwala, J. Scott Weese, Olufunmilayo A. Sanni-Adeniyi, Shovon Chakma, Stephen S. Okeme, Abdullah A. Mamun, Charles E. Rupprecht, R. J. Soares Magalhaes. (2021) Rabies epidemiology, prevention and control in Nigeria: Scoping progress towards elimination. PLOS. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009617

2. P. P. Mshelbwala, D. K. Akinwolemiwa,B.V. Maikai,R. G. Otolorin, N. A. Maurice, J. S. Weese (2017) Dog ecology and its implications for rabies control in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Zoonoses. doi.org/10.1111/zph.12385

3. Philip P. Mshelbwala, et. al. Bat and Lyssavirus Exposure among Humans in Area that Celebrates Bat Festival, Nigeria, 2010 and 2013. (2020) Centers for Disease Controls & Prevention.

Banji Alo

Business Analyst

Banji is a health data scientist and researcher with professional experience in consulting, Government, and international development. He has collaborated with experts in data science, health information systems, and public health in Sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, and the broader Pacific. Banji completed his postgraduate degrees in Public Health and Health Services Management from the University of Queensland and Griffith University in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In 2020, Banji was nominated for the prestigious distinguished talent award by the Australian Government for his exceptional achievements.

Taiwo Afolabi

FullStack Developer (Lead Dev)

Afolabi is an experienced software developer with 14 years behind the keyboard. He holds a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and a major in Programming with a focus in Desktop, Mobile, and Web Applications using C#, React JS, ASP.NET, Python, HTML 5 as its core. Whether independent or operating on a team his analytical approach to problem-solving has been a plus. He has an extensive history developing and upgrading applications optimising websites, Mobile apps, Desktop performance investigation, and troubleshooting issues ensuring smoother processes for every end-user.