Iyiola Oladunjoye

Research interests

Mutations in the tumour suppressor TP53, signalling molecules such as NRAS, and transcriptional regulators such as PPM1D are recurrent events in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) that can transform into secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (sAML). These mutations can generate novel epitopes capable of triggering immune recognition, making them attractive targets for preventive cancer vaccines. However, the immune system often fails to mount an effective response due to immune tolerance mechanisms. My project aims to identify and validate immunogenic mutations that drive disease progression and to develop heterologous viral-vector vaccines (ChAd/MVA) capable of inducing mutation-specific T-cell responses that prevent malignant transformation. Through integrated immunogenicity screening, vaccine optimisation, and preclinical research, I aim to define immune mechanisms that can intercept the leukemic transition of MPN to AML and inform future preventive vaccine strategies.

Background

I studied a BSc in Microbiology at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, gaining extensive experience in environmental microbiology and public health. I later proceeded to complete the highly competitive Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree in Vaccinology (LIVE), training across five European institutions: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Universiteit Antwerpen, Université Jean Monnet, and Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1. I accrued skills and advanced training in immunology, infectiology, clinical research, and vaccine regulation, complemented by industrial visits and lectures at GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi, the Vaccine Formulation Institute, and Boehringer Ingelheim. I completed my MSc thesis at the Oxford Vaccine Group under the supervision of Dr Daniel Wright and Professor Teresa Lambe. In this project, I focused on viral-vector vaccine design against outbreak pathogens, and contributed to research on the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 fourth-dose booster, investigating anti-vector immunity in human cohorts (1). Before starting my DPhil, I continued with the group as a Research Assistant, supporting the Marburg virus Phase I clinical trial and Sudan Ebola vaccine preclinical testing. These experiences strengthened my interest in vaccine immunology and its application to disease prevention and translational research.