Dr. Oluwatoyin Asojo, also known as the ‘Protein Whisperer,’ is making significant contributions to fighting some of the world’s most neglected diseases by developing potential vaccines for those who need them most. Her work has been recognized by Science News, highlighting her dedication to both scientific research and student mentorship.
Dr. Asojo is an associate professor at the National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Her expertise lies in understanding protein structures, which she has applied to tackle proteins involved in diseases that disproportionately impact people living in poverty around the world. One such disease is hookworm infection, where Dr. Asojo contributed to determining the X-ray structure of Na-ASP-2, a pathogenesis-related-1 protein from the nematode parasite Necator americanus. This discovery was crucial in developing a vaccine antigen for human hookworm infection, demonstrating her commitment to addressing global health issues.