Ayodele Arogunjo

Experimental synthetic biologist and microbiologist with a PhD in Biological Chemistry and more than four years of doctoral research in fungal natural-product biosynthesis, heterologous pathway reconstruction and analytical characterization. Experienced in translating complex biological workflows into reproducible experimental steps—from DNA design and assembly through host transformation, cultivation, metabolite analysis and evidence-based reporting. Co-author of peer-reviewed research integrating genome mining, RNA-sequencing evidence, biosynthetic-gene-cluster analysis and heterologous expression.

Motivated to apply this experimental perspective to the digitalization of synthetic-biology workflows, structured metadata, electronic laboratory records and interoperable research data for Engineered Living Materials.

Doctoral Researcher in Biological Chemistry and Natural Product Biosynthesis at Leibniz University Hannover · Cox Research Group (2021-10 – 2026-02)

• Designed and executed independent projects to identify and reconstitute fungal biosynthetic pathways, linking biological questions to testable experimental workflows and decision points.
• Built heterologous expression constructs using PCR, overlap-extension PCR, yeast homologous recombination and LR Gateway workflows; propagated constructs in E. coli and transformed Aspergillus oryzae NSAR1.
• Integrated genome and transcriptome evidence with gene-cluster context to prioritize pathway candidates and define expression experiments.
• Designed cultivation, extraction and analytical sampling workflows and scaled microbial fermentations from screening cultures to 2 L and 10 L production.
• Evaluated pathway output using HPLC-DAD, LC–MS, HRMS, UV–visible spectroscopy and 1D/2D NMR; maintained traceable records linking constructs, cultures, samples and analytical results.
• Investigated unexpected expression and metabolite profiles, refined experimental parameters and documented negative results and limitations to support reproducibility and further iteration.
• Applied structure-informed computational tools including AlphaFold, PyMOL, YASARA and DiffDock to examine enzyme variants and guide experimental interpretation.
• Prepared manuscripts, research presentations, experimental protocols and technical reports; coordinated with international collaborators and external analytical and transcriptomics partners.
• Trained and supported students in molecular-biology, cultivation, analytical and documentation workflows and contributed to undergraduate organic-chemistry practical teaching.

Teaching Assistant in Microbiology at Federal University of Technology Akure (2017-01 – 2019-06)

• Delivered laboratory practicals, demonstrated microbiological methods, reinforced biosafety and documentation, and guided students in experimental design, troubleshooting and interpretation.

Quality Control Microbiology and Sterility Assurance at Drugfield Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (2019-07 – 2021-09)

• Performed SOP-based microbiological quality activities and supported aseptic filling, biologics and bulk-drug-substance operations in a regulated pharmaceutical environment.
• Reviewed technical and batch documentation, supported deviations and investigations, and collaborated with QA, QC and manufacturing colleagues.

Surveillance Support Officer freelance at Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (2020-04 – 2021-04)

• Validated surveillance information, maintained traceable electronic records and prepared reports with laboratory and public-health stakeholders.

Doctor of Natural Sciences in Biological Chemistry – Leibniz University Hannover · Institute of Organic Chemistry and BMWZ (2021-10 – 2026-02)

Master of Technology in Microbiology – Federal University of Technology Akure (2017 – 2019)

Bachelor of Technology in Microbiology – Federal University of Technology Akure (2009 – 2014)