Dr Olaoluwa Temitope Talabi
About me
Dr. Olaoluwa Temitope Talabi (b. 14 November 1979, Lagos) is a distinguished Nigerian biochemist whose scholarship advances medical nutrition, nutrigenomics, and functional food science, with emphasis on diet-related non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Trained in biochemistry through BSc, MSc, and PhD studies, her doctoral work examined nutrient and anti-nutrient dynamics in processed Atlantic horse mackerel, while earlier research explored fermented seed meals and dietary electrolyte patterns.
Her academic trajectory spans Ajayi Crowther University (Assistant Lecturer, 2008–2013), a visiting fellowship at the Phytomedicine Research Centre, University of Fort Hare (2011–2012), and progressive appointments at Babcock University (2013–2020). Since 2020, she has served at the University of Lagos, rising to senior lecturer in the Faculty of Life Sciences. She teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate levels, coordinating advanced modules in biochemistry, endocrinology, immunology, and nutrigenomics, and has supervised over 160 research projects, including doctoral theses.
Dr. Talabi’s research integrates diet, genetics, and chronic disease prevention, with a current focus on genetic interventions in obesity among Nigerian women. Her publications exceed 25 in peer-reviewed journals, spanning protein quality, phytonutrient profiling, antioxidant mechanisms, and food processing biochemistry. She contributes actively to professional societies, peer review, and institutional service, and has been recognized with awards including the ICERT Global Women Icon Award (2023), Best Biochemistry Lecturer (University of Lagos, 2022/23), and TETFUND IBR Grant (2025).
Through rigorous inquiry, pedagogy, and leadership, Dr. Talabi continues to shape biomedical science in Nigeria, advancing evidence-based nutritional strategies for public health in resource-limited contexts.
Dr. Olaoluwa Temitope Talabi is a distinguished Nigerian biochemist and academic leader whose career has been dedicated to advancing the fields of medical nutrition, nutrigenomics, nutritional biochemistry, and functional foods, with a particular emphasis on translational research addressing diet-related non-communicable diseases prevalent in sub-Saharan African populations.
Born on 14 November 1979 in Lagos, Nigeria, Dr. Talabi earned her foundational training in biochemistry before pursuing advanced postgraduate studies that culminated in a PhD focused on the effects of processing methods on the nutrient and anti-nutrient profiles of Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), with special attention to protein quality, digestibility, and physiological outcomes in weanling rat models. Her earlier MSc research investigated the biochemical safety and nutritional potential of Aspergillus niger-fermented Chrysophyllum albidum seed meal, while her BSc project examined urinary electrolyte patterns in vegetarian and non-vegetarian Nigerian university communities.
Dr. Talabi began her academic career as an Assistant Lecturer at Ajayi Crowther University (2008-2013), followed by a prestigious visiting research fellowship at the Phytomedicine Research Centre, University of Fort Hare, South Africa (2011-2012), where she deepened her expertise in plant-derived bioactive compounds and their therapeutic applications. She subsequently held progressive lecturing positions at Babcock University’s Benjamin S. Carson School of Medicine (2013-2020), rising to Senior Lecturer before joining the University of Lagos in 2020. At the University of Lagos, she has served continuously in the Department of Biochemistry, initially within the College of Medicine (Idi-Araba campus) and, since August 2025, in the Faculty of Life Sciences (Akoka campus), where she currently holds the rank of Senior Lecturer.
Her pedagogical portfolio is exceptionally broad and spans undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. She coordinates and delivers advanced courses including General Biochemistry Practical, Advanced Biochemical Methods, Principles of Endocrinology, Molecular Aspects of Immunology, Macromolecular Biochemistry, and specialized postgraduate modules in nutrigenomics, plasmid biochemistry, cancer microenvironment biology, and inborn errors of metabolism. To date, she has supervised 134 undergraduate research projects, 26 MSc dissertations, and 3 PhD theses, reflecting her strong commitment to mentorship and capacity building in Nigerian biomedical science.
Dr. Talabi’s research programme centres on the intersection of diet, genetics, and chronic disease prevention. Her current work investigates genetic interventions in obesity management among Nigerian women, building on earlier studies of phytonutrient profiles (Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum verum, Moringa oleifera, Gongronema latifolium, Solanum macrocarpon), antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of plant extracts, protein quality of processed fish, and the biochemical consequences of fermentation and thermal processing on food matrices. She has authored or co-authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals (e.g., Nature [co-signatory], PLoS ONE, Journal of Food Biochemistry, Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, Unicross Journal of Science and Technology, Shodh Sari, Bima Journal of Science and Technology), with contributions spanning experimental design, bench supervision, data interpretation, manuscript preparation, and critical review.
Beyond the laboratory and classroom, Dr. Talabi has demonstrated sustained institutional leadership and service. She has served on multiple accreditation committees (departmental and faculty level), acted as course/level adviser, coordinated practical biochemistry modules, and contributed to faculty welfare and staff development initiatives. She is an active member of several learned societies, including the Biochemical Society, American Society of Pharmacognosy, Society for Medicinal Plants and Economic Development (SOMPED), Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Nigerian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB), and South African Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SASBMB). She serves as a peer reviewer for the European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety and the Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research.
Her contributions have been recognised through competitive awards and grants, including the TETFUND Institutional Based Research (IBR) Grant (Batch 12, June 2025), the ICERT Global Women Icon Award (2023), the Best Biochemistry Lecturer award at the University of Lagos (2022/2023 session), and the Best Nutrition Paper Presentation at the NSBMB 31st Annual Scientific Conference (2014).
Dr. Talabi Olaoluwa Temitope remains a prominent voice in the application of nutritional biochemistry and functional food science to address pressing public health challenges in Nigeria and across Africa. Through rigorous research, dedicated teaching, and active professional service, she continues to shape the next generation of biomedical scientists and to advance evidence-based dietary strategies for chronic disease prevention and health promotion in resource-constrained settings.