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Last updated 17th April 2024

Olumayokun (Mayo) is a Professor of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Huddersfield. On the completion of a Ph.D. (Pharmacology of Inflammation) from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, he proceeded to the laboratory of Professor Verena Dirsch in the Department of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Biology), University of Munich, Germany as a Humboldt Postdoctoral Research Fellow. At Munich, Mayo conducted research on the cellular and molecular pharmacology of anti-inflammatory natural products. In 2006, he was awarded a Return Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to conduct research in the Neurochemistry Research Laboratory (Dr Bernd Fiebich), Department of Psychiatry, University of Freiburg Medical School where he started investigations into natural products with potentials to modulate neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Mayo started his academic career as a Lecturer in Pharmacology in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. He later moved to the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria as a Lecturer in Pharmacology. This was followed by a stint in industry where he was involved in drug development and clinical research. Prior to moving to Huddersfield, he was Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Sciences at London Metropolitan University.

At Huddersfield, Mayo leads a growing research programme in molecular pharmacology of natural products with interests in: Translating Indigenous Knowledge to Pharmacology (Ethnopharmacology), Conversion of Agricultural and Food Wastes into Pharmacologically Active Healthcare Products (Valorisation), Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology of Drugs from Nature Targeting Inflammation, and Pharmacological Modulation of Neuroinflammation with Natural and Synthetic Compounds. His research has been supported with funding from international governments, charities, research council and industry.

1. Translating Indigenous Knowledge to Pharmacology (Ethnopharmacology): A major focus of our research is to use traditional medicine knowledge and practices to identify potential pharmacological and/or therapeutic interventions, as well as development of natural ingredients to promote healthy living. Ethnopharmacological field surveys are conducted in rural west Africa (mainly Nigeria), followed by pharmacological validation of traditional claims in the laboratory.
2. Conversion of Agricultural and Food Wastes into Pharmacologically Active Healthcare Products (Valorisation): Currently food waste and by-products generated (peels, hulls, shells, husks, pods, stems, stalks, bran, seeds, and pulp refuse), are not fully exploited and their disposal is presenting a continuously growing environmental problem. Our investigations have shown that by-products from fruits (bananas, pomegranates, avocado, and oranges) and agricultural processes (rapeseed oil biomass) possess significant pharmacological and health-promoting potentials. These wastes are being developed into ingredients for cosmetics and other healthcare products.
3. Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology of Drugs from Nature Targeting Inflammation: Despite the implication of chronic inflammation in the pathogenesis of many conditions, there are still no safe and effective pharmacological interventions for preventing or treating this phenomenon. Our research is aimed at identifying natural products which can reduce or prevent inflammatory processes by targeting inflammatory signalling pathways.
4. Pharmacological Modulation of Neuroinflammation with Natural and Synthetic Compounds: Research has shown that inflammation is a critical contributor to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, understanding the role of neuroinflammation in these disorders is crucial for identifying pharmacological interventions. We conduct investigations on the mechanisms and pharmacological outcomes of the interactions of plant extracts, natural products, synthetic and semi-synthetic small molecules, and re-purposed drugs with cell signalling proteins, receptors, and transcription factors which contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Our research has shown that neuroinflammation is a potential contributor to neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection (https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-021-02593-6).