Abiodun Ogunniyi
School of Animal and Veterinary Science
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
My research program broadly aims to gain a deep understanding of how bacterial pathogens interact with their hosts to cause disease and applying the information gleaned from such investigations to prevent or treat such infections through vaccination or using new antimicrobial agents and novel biocides. I also integrate food safety, environmental, human and animal health research in a “One Health” approach to managing infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens (superbugs) through antimicrobial stewardship, for better public health outcomes. To achieve these objectives, I use a combination of molecular, cellular and immunological techniques and imaging of light-emitting microorganisms during infection in living mice (in vivo bioluminescence imaging).
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
I have a keen interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis, with emphasis on the characterisation of virulence factors and evaluating the potential of candidate vaccine antigens. My PhD was conducted under the joint supervision of Professor Paul Manning, Professor Ieva Kotlarski, and Associate Professor Renato Morona and entailed the functional characterisation of the SefA protein of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis.
I carried out my postdoctoral work in Professor James Paton’s laboratory from March 1997 to December 2009 on the molecular analysis of pneumococcal pathogenesis, and became an independent Senior Research Fellow in January 2010.
I joined the Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology (ACARE; Director - Prof Darren Trott) in January 2015, where my research focusses on efficacy assessments of new broad-spectrum antimicrobials to address the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. I also assess efficacy evaluation of biocides (such as the pH-neutral electrolysed oxidising water) for wide application in health, agriculture and food industries.
Throughout my research career, I have contributed significantly to the design and execution of research projects, international research grant applications and development of new technologies. I have significantly harnessed my expertise and experience to supervise and mentor numerous Honours, MSc and PhD candidates, and I actively collaborate with national and international colleagues and postdoctoral fellows to achieve mutual success in our research activities.
A significant aspect of my research also involves extensive engagement and consultation with Industry to promote research translation into community benefit through commercialisation.
I have a series of interwoven projects in my research program:
Molecular analysis of bacterial pathogenesis
Efficacy evaluation of new biocides
Serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccines
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2024 - ongoing Associate Professor The University of Adelaide 2023 - 2026 NHMRC Externally-Funded Research Fellow The University of Adelaide 2022 - ongoing Group leader, novel drug discovery and preclinical evaluation program The University of Adelaide 2017 - 2020 Senior Research Fellow (C) University of South Australia 2015 - 2023 University Senior Postdoctoral Researcher (C) The University of Adelaide 2010 - 2014 Senior Research Fellow (C) The University of Adelaide 2001 - 2009 Senior Research Officer (B) Women's and Children's Hospital and The University of Adelaide 1997 - 2000 Research Officer (A) Women's and Children's Hospital -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2024 Award ASA 2024 Travel Award Australian Society for Antimicrobials Australia AU$2,500.00 2022 Fellowship Fellow, Australian Society for Microbiology (FASM) The Australian Society for Microbiology Australia - 2012 Achievement Research Career Development Network (RCDN) Achievement Award The University of Adelaide Australia - 2007 Award Research Career Development Network (RCDN) Travel Award The University of Adelaide Australia - 1991 Scholarship Equity and Merit Scholarship Award Australian International Development Assistance Bureau (AIDAB, now Australian Agency for International Development [AusAID]) Australia - -
Language Competencies
Language Competency English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review Yoruba Can read, write, speak and understand spoken -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 1991 - 1996 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD 1987 - 1989 Obafemi Awolowo University Nigeria MSc 1982 - 1986 University of Jos Nigeria BSc (First Class Honours) -
Certifications
Date Title Institution name Country 2022 Fellow, The Australian Society for Microbiology (FASM) The Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Australia -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Book Chapters
Year Citation 2015 Ogunniyi, A., & Paton, J. (2015). Vaccine Potential of Pneumococcal Proteins. In J. Brown, S. Hammerschmidt, & C. Orihuela (Eds.), Streptococcus Pneumoniae: Molecular Mechanisms of Host-Pathogen Interactions (pp. 59-78). United Kingdom: Elsevier.
DOI Scopus82013 Ogunniyi, A., & Paton, J. (2013). Regulation of pneumococcal surface proteins and capsule. In M. Vasil, & A. Darwin (Eds.), Regulation of Bacterial Virulence (1 ed., pp. 190-208). United States: American Society for Microbiology Press.
DOI -
Conference Papers
Year Citation 2015 Knippenberg, S., Ueberberg, B., Maus, R., Bohling, J., Ding, N., Tarres, M. T., . . . Maus, U. A. (2015). Streptococcus Pneumoniae Triggers Progression Of Pulmonary Fibrosis Through Pneumolysin. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Vol. 191 (pp. 1 page). Denver, CO: AMER THORACIC SOC. -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2017 Pi, H., Khazandi, M., Ogunniyi, A. D., Page, S. W., Venter, H., & Trott, D. J. (2017). Characterization of a potential newclass of antimicrobial agent for Gram-negative bacteria. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS. Taipei, TAIWAN: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 2016 Kopecki, Z., Ogunniyi, A. D., Trott, D., & Cowin, A. J. (2016). DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL BIOLUMINESCENT MODELS OF WOUND INFECTION. Poster session presented at the meeting of WOUND REPAIR AND REGENERATION. WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2011 Weber, M., Lambeck, S., Ding, N., Henken, S., Kohl, M., Deigner, H. P., . . . Bauer, M. (2011). Hepatic Induction of Cholesterol Biosynthesis Reflects a Remote Adaptive Response to Pneumococcal Pneumonia. Poster session presented at the meeting of INFECTION. SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. -
Report for External Bodies
Year Citation 2007 Steinhoff, M. C. (2007). Animal models for protein pneumococcal vaccine evaluation: A summary. Elsevier BV.
DOI -
Patents
Year Citation 2016 Alsharifi, M., Babb, R., Chen, A. Y., David, S. C., Hirst, T. R., Ogunniyi, A. D., & Paton, J. C. (2016). 050231, Streptococcal Vaccine. Australia. 2016 Alsharifi, M., Babb, R., Chen, A. Y., David, S. C., Hirst, T. R., Ogunniyi, A. D., & Paton, J. C. (2016). 050231, Streptococcal Vaccine. Australia. 2015 Alsharifi, M., Babb, R., Chen, A. Y., Hirst, T. R., Ogunniyi, A. D., & Paton, J. C. (2015). 2015901098, Streptococcal Vaccine. Australia. 2015 Alsharifi, M., Babb, R., Chen, A. Y., Hirst, T. R., Ogunniyi, A. D., & Paton, J. C. (2015). 2015901098, Streptococcal Vaccine. Australia. 2005 Rhee, D., Kwon, H., Choi, M., Ogunniyi, A., & Paton, J. (2005). WO/2005/063283, Vaccine comprising recombinant CIpP protein of streptococcus Pneumoniae. Korea.
Funding Scheme |
CI/PI/AI Names |
Amount Funded |
Years of Funding |
Project Title |
NHMRC Ideas Grant (APP2020758) |
Ogunniyi A, Garg S, Woolford L, Soares da Costa T |
$981,046 |
2023-2025 |
A novel dual therapy approach to treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections |
IC220100050: ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre (ARC ITTC) |
Blaskovich M (CI) Trott D (CI), Henderson I (CI) Amirali Popat A (CI), Guo J (CI) Elliott A (CI), Soares Magalhaes R (CI), Turni C (CI), Wilson D (CI), Ogunniyi A (CI), Soares da Costa T (CI), Parekh H (CI), Ziora Z (CI), De Cerqueira G (PI), Page S (PI), van Merkestein R (PI), Boot-Handford M (PI), Sceats M (PI), Bright M (PI), Chandrasekaran N (PI) |
$4,508,426 |
2023-2027 |
ARC Training Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance (ARC CEA-StAR) |
Contract Research (UA227512); Contracting Party: Invion Limited and RMWC Unlimited Innovation Pty Ltd |
Ogunniyi AD (CI) Trott DJ (CI) |
$74,019 PLUS Contract Variation 1 ($50,713) |
2022-2023 |
Evaluation of the in vitro antimicrobial activity of 5 photodynamic therapy compounds against Gram-positive, Gram-negative (including periodontitis-causing bacteria) and fungal pathogens. |
Research Roadmap Grant Scheme 2021, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Adelaide |
Wilson DW (CI), O’Handley R (CI), Richter K (CI), Gancheva MR (CI), Ogunniyi AD (CI), Sheppard AE (CI), Ebrahimie E (CI), Abraham R (CI), Trott DJ (CI) |
$37,000 |
2022 |
Deciphering the mechanism of action of a new class of cell membrane-active antimicrobials: a pathway to widespread applications in human and animal health |
ICERA DSTG To Neoculi Pty Ltd |
Page SW (CI), Trott D (CI), Garg S (CI), Ogunniyi AD (CI) |
$339,963 |
2021-2022 |
Tier 2 Priority: Enhanced Human Performance – Operating in CBRN Environments |
Contract Research (UA216024); Contracting Party: Zoetis Indonesia |
Ogunniyi AD (CI) |
$32,556 |
2021 |
Zoetis Lincospectin Checkerboard / FIC studies |
Contract Research Variation 1 (UA194233-S02); Contracting Party: Botanix Pharmaceuticals Ltd |
Ogunniyi AD (CI) |
$42,594 |
2019 |
Cannabidiol MIC and MBC against clinical isolates of canine otitis externa in Australia and time-kill assay against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 |
Contract Research (UA194233); Contracting Party: Botanix Pharmaceuticals Ltd |
Ogunniyi AD (CI) |
$19,546 |
2019 |
Efficacy testing of synthetic cannabidiol in a bioluminescent murine model of Staphylococcus aureus scald wound infection |
Contract Research (UA172503); Contracting Party: The University of Queensland |
Trott D (CI); Ogunniyi AD (CI) |
$12,000 |
2018 |
Efficacy trials of MCC5145 against S. pneumoniae D39 bacteraemia using a bioluminescent intraperitoneal mouse model of sepsis |
Contract Research (UA172408); Contracting Party: CSIRO |
Trott D (CI); Ogunniyi AD (CI) |
$33,150 |
2018 |
Literature Review on the presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food in Australia and New Zealand |
Contract Research (UA183243-S01); Contracting Party: Bayer Australia Ltd |
Trott D (CI); Ogunniyi AD (CI) |
$47,911 |
2018 |
Mastitis Product Registration (benzyl penicillin) MIC Study |
DEBRA Australia |
Kopecki Z (CI), Cowin A (CI), Vasilev K (CI), Ogunniyi AD (CI) |
$40,000 |
2018 |
Safe and intelligent dressings for treatment of infected wounds |
Research Themes Investment Scheme (101796) Seed Funding, University of South Australia |
Thomas N (CI), Prestidge C (CI), Ogunniyi AD (CI), Kopecki Z (CI), Cowin A (CI), Wormald PJ (PI) |
$40,000 |
2018 |
Re-sensitising resistant bacteria against antibiotics: Giving new power to failing medicines. |
Research Themes Investment Scheme, University of South Australia |
Kopecki Z (CI), Cowin A (CI), Venter H (CI), Garg, S (CI), Coad B (CI) Page, S (PI), Trott D (CI), Ogunniyi AD (PI) |
$40,000 |
2018 |
New in vivo technologies for preclinical assessment of novel antimicrobial drugs against wound infections |
Research Themes Investment Scheme Development Funding, University of South Australia |
Donner E (CI), Short M (CI), Williams C (CI), Ogunniyi AD (CI), Djordjevic S (PI) Reynolds B (PI), King B (PI) |
$82,788 |
2018-2020 |
Antimicrobial resistance burden in migratory and resident bird species in the northern Adelaide coastal zone |
Partnership Enabling Grant Scheme, Division of Information Technology Engineering and the Environment, University of South Australia |
Lombi E (CI), Wedding B (CI), Smith E (CI), Myers B (CI), Condina M (CI), Ogunniyi AD (CI) |
$36,000 |
2018 |
Use of hydrodynamic cavitation for degradation of PFAS, pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in contaminated waters |
ORG121561: AMPC Research Grant; Australian Meat Processor Corporation |
Trott D (CI); Deo P (co-CI); Khazandi M (co-CI); Ogunniyi A (co-CI) |
$30,000 |
2016 |
Twin Oxide Cabinet Microbiological assessment |
FND000138: DIIS - Innovation Connections; Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation & Science |
Trott D (CI); Ogunniyi A (co-CI); Khazandi M (co-CI) |
$100,000 |
2015-2016 |
Investigation of ECAS4 technology for improving water quality and shelf life in the seafood industry |
ARC Linkage grant |
JC Paton (CI), AD Ogunniyi (CI), M Alsharifi (PI), TR. Hirst (PI) |
$275,000 |
2012-2015 |
A single vaccine for influenza and pneumonia |
Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation Project Grant |
AD Ogunniyi (CI), LK Mahdi (AI) |
$70,000 |
2012-2013 |
Molecular analysis of alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase: Role in pneumococcal meningitis |
NHMRC Project Grant |
JC Paton, AD Ogunniyi |
$1,106,169 |
2010-2015 |
Molecular analysis of pneumococcal pathogenesis |
Meningitis Research Foundation (UK) |
AD Ogunniyi, JC Paton, LK Mahdi |
UK£196,773 ($437,000) |
2008-2011 |
Characterization and vaccine potential of pneumococcal virulence factors expressed during meningitis |
Channel 7 Research Foundation grant |
UH Stroeher (CI), AD Ogunniyi (AI) |
$47,000 |
2008 |
Characterisation of Virulence Genes of Streptococcus pneumoniae Involved in Otitis Media |
NHMRC Equipment Grant |
JC Paton, R Morona, AW Paton, AD Ogunniyi, AR Jilbert, SR McColl |
$61,000 |
2008 |
Grant to purchase small equipment |
Women’s and Children’s Hospital Research Foundation |
AD Ogunniyi, JC Paton |
$40,000 |
2000 |
Regulation of capsule expression in Streptococcus pneumoniae |
Women’s and Children’s Hospital Research Foundation |
JC Paton, AD Ogunniyi |
$30,000 |
1999 |
Regulation of capsule expression in Streptococcus pneumoniae |
Although I am a Research-only academic, I gave 2 lectures each to 2nd year Biomed, 3rd year Infection and Immunity A and MSc Biotech students annually from 2011 until the end of 2014 at The University of Adelaide. I was also involved in setting and marking exam questions for 3rd year Infection and Immunity A and MSc Biotech courses and was occasionally involved in tutorials for the MSc Biotech students during that period. I have also given a total of 13 lectures to 3rd year Infection and Immunity students at The University of South Australia (4 lectures in 2017, and 3 lectures each in 2018, 2019 and 2020). Collectively, these activities have allowed me to interact closely with all academic staff, students and colleagues, leading to exchange of ideas and problem solving as well as gaining familiarity with modern approaches to tertiary education and opportunity to attract and recruit prospective Honours, MSc and PhD students.
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2024 Principal Supervisor Preclinical evaluation of new derivatives of the anticoccidial drug robenidine as novel antibacterial agents Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Sayara Bista 2023 Principal Supervisor Identification of pneumococcal serotype-independent antigenic regions and mobile genetic elements driving antimicrobial resistance gene mobility Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Gabriel Temitope Sunmonu 2022 Co-Supervisor New antimicrobial formulations and their efficacy for canine otitis externa and other fungal infections. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Bhumi Savaliya -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2018 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Pre-Clinical In Vitro and In Vivo Testing of Novel Antimicrobials for the Treatment of Bacterial Infections Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Hang Thi Nguyen 2012 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Development of a Novel Co-vaccination Approach for Pneumococcal and Influenza Infections Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Rachelle Babb 2010 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Characterisation of Streptococcus pneumoniae opacity phase variation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Melissa Hui Chieh Chai 2010 - 2013 Co-Supervisor Molecular Characterisation of the Polyhistidine Triad Proteins of Streptococcus Pneumoniae Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Charles Plumptre 2006 - 2010 Co-Supervisor Pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Lauren McAllister 2003 - 2007 Co-Supervisor Differential Expression of Streptococcus Pneumoniae Genes during Pathogenesis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Kim Suk Le Messurier -
Other Supervision Activities
Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name 2017 - ongoing Co-Supervisor The effect of hospital effluent on the antimicrobial resistance ecology of waste water. University of South Australia - Master - Ms Hong Nguyen
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2023 - ongoing Member Innovation and research sub-committee, South Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan South Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan (SAAMRAP) Australia 2022 - 2024 Member The University of Adelaide Animal Ethics Committee (Science) The University of Adelaide Australia 2022 - ongoing Member Australian Society for Microbiology, South Australia Branch Australian Society for Microbiology Australia 2021 - ongoing Member School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Research Committee The University of Adelaide Australia -
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2021 - ongoing Member Australian Society for Antimicrobials (ASA) Australia 2009 - ongoing Member Australian Society for Microbiology Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles