Dr Temidayo Popoola

Temidayo holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Distinction), a Master’s degree (Distinction), and a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Lagos. His doctoral research in experimental cancer pharmacology was supported by research stays at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, and the Faculty of Science, Maseno University, Kenya, with funding from the Biochemical Society, UK, and the African‑German Network of Excellence in Science and the University of Lagos’s Doctoral Assistance Grant. 

His research has focused on the scientific validation of ethnomedical uses of natural products in cancer. This work has demonstrated the significant toxicity of selected natural products against cancer cells, elucidated their potent anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant effects—including activation of the Nrf2 pathway—and led to the isolation of bioactive components responsible for these effects. 

Following a career break arising from the COVID‑19 pandemic, Temidayo returned to research as a Daphne Jackson Fellow, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). His current work explores the development of a computational, AI‑enabled framework that integrates natural‑product toxicity data generated from alternative (non‑rodent) models, including zebrafish, Galleria mellonella, nematodes, and Drosophila. This platform aims to enable rapid toxicity screening and accelerate drug discovery by providing researchers worldwide with an accessible, robust analytical tool. Ultimately, this work seeks to promote the adoption of the 3Rs principles, particularly among natural‑product researchers in developing regions, and to advance more ethical and innovative biomedical research practices.