Breaking News
Nigerian Scientist Leads Epigenetic Breakthroughs in Obesity Research at Arizona State University
A Nigerian-born scientist, Busayo Oladun, is gaining global recognition for his groundbreaking work on epigenetic mechanisms underlying 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 investigates how dietary interventions can reprogram gene expression in the brain to combat obesity and its related metabolic disorders.
His work is part of a rapidly evolving field that sees epigenetics as key to solving the menace of obesity.
“For too long, obesity has been seen purely as a lifestyle issue,” Oladun told This Day. “But we now understand that environmental factors, including maternal diet and early-life exposures, can leave lasting epigenetic marks that increase susceptibility to obesity, even across generations.”
His research centers on the epigenetic regulation of metabolic genes in the hypothalamus, the brain’s command center for hunger and energy balance. Oladun focuses on how histone-modifying enzymes, particularly JMJD3, influence key genes like the leptin receptor (LepRb) and GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), both critical for controlling appetite, insulin sensitivity, and energy regulation.
“Epigenetic modifications such as histone methylation are reversible,” Oladun explained. “By targeting these changes with lifestyle interventions or therapeutics, we can activate beneficial genes and silence harmful ones, essentially reprogramming the metabolic code.”
Notably, his studies have shown that intermittent fasting enhances the demethylation of repressive histone marks like H3K27me3, leading to improved leptin sensitivity and metabolic balance. This aligns with growing evidence that early environmental exposures, such as overnutrition, high-fat diet, and high sucrose diet, among others, can alter the normal epigenome, thereby predisposing individuals to obesity. Additionally, maternal overnutrition can program the fetal epigenome in ways that persist into adulthood, shaping obesity risk through gene regulation.
“Epigenetic research gives us a new lens to understand how obesity can be inherited not just through genes, but through gene regulation,” he said. “It also opens the door to identifying biomarkers in sperm or early-life tissues that may predict obesity risk before symptoms appear, giving us a window for early intervention.”
His work stands at the intersection of nutrigenomics, developmental biology, and neuroepigenetics, making a compelling case for lifestyle-based treatments that go beyond symptom management. “We aim to reverse conditions like leptin resistance, not just control weight,” Oladun noted. “This is about creating long-term solutions through targeted gene-environment interactions.”
Oladun’s academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Physiology from Olabisi Onabanjo University and an M.Sc. from the University of Ibadan. Now pursuing a PhD in the U.S., he leverages his background in neurophysiology, epigenetics, and metabolic disease to push what he calls the “next frontier” in obesity research.
Outside the lab, Oladun mentors undergraduate and graduate students, fostering a new generation of biomedical researchers. “Mentorship is just as critical as research,” he said. “Future scientists must be equipped to ask bold questions and challenge traditional paradigms.” His contributions have garnered wide acclaim.
He was awarded the George Bray Outstanding Student Research Award in Obesity, one of the field’s highest honors for young investigators, and won the Emerging Leaders Poster Competition in precision nutrition/nutrient-gene interactions at the American Society for Nutrition’s 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida.
Oladun also serves as a peer reviewer for journals like the Journal of Medical Internet Research and helps review research grants at ASU, reflecting his deep commitment to academic service.
Reflecting on his mission, Oladun said, “Obesity is a biological puzzle with environmental clues. Epigenetics helps us connect those clues, and develop safer, more effective treatments that can change lives for generations to come.” With a passion for discovery and a vision for lasting impact, Busayo Oladun is proving that homegrown talent can drive world-class innovation in global health.
