Philip A. Adeniyi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor & Principal Investigator
Department of Biology
Brain Aging and Vascular Biology (BRAIV) Lab
Biography
Dr. Philip A. Adeniyi is an anatomist and neuroscientist whose research concentrates on brain aging, neurodegeneration, and the cellular and vascular mechanisms that cause white matter injury and cognitive decline. His work integrates neurobiology, vascular biology, and translational neuroscience to understand how aging-related changes in the brain contribute to disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and related neurodegenerative conditions.
A central theme of his research is the role of white matter degeneration, glial dysfunction, and impairment of the neurovascular unit in aging and disease progression. His work has advanced understanding of iron dysregulation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis as key mechanisms underlying oligodendrocyte vulnerability and myelin pathology.
Dr. Adeniyi is the Founder and Principal Investigator of the Brain Aging and Vascular Biology (BRAIV) Lab, where he leads interdisciplinary research to uncover mechanisms of brain aging and translate these findings into therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
In addition to his research program, he is the Founder of Africa Young Scientists (AYS) and the Africa Young Scientists Mentorship Program (AYSMP), initiatives dedicated to strengthening scientific capacity, mentorship, and research training for early-career scientists across Africa and beyond.
Education
- 1.
2018
Ph.D. Anatomy (Neurobiology)
Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria
Dissertation: Ultrastructural and immunofluorescence assessment of the impacts of nicotine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine on the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus of adolescent mice. Dissertation Advisor: Adebayo K. Adefule, Ph.D. LSU Advisor: Charles C. Lee, Ph.D.
- 2.
2016
Disease Model Mechanism (DMM) & ISN–CAEN Predoctoral Research Fellow
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, Baton Rouge, LA
Mentor: Charles C. Lee, Ph.D. Project: Electrophysiological and histochemical evaluation of the role of nicotine on the impacts of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in young mouse brains.
- 3.
2013
ISN–CAEN Graduate Research Fellow
University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
Mentor: Micaela Morelli, Ph.D. Project: Behavioral, biochemical, and neurohistoarchitectural assessment of the impact of MDMA in adolescent and adult mice.
- 4.
2011
M.Sc. Anatomy (Neurobiology)
College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Dissertation: Assessment of the impacts of tobacco smoke and aqueous extract on the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal-dependent activities. Dissertation Advisor: E. A. Caxton-Martins, Ph.D.
- 5.
2008
B.Sc. (Hons.) Anatomy
College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Dissertation: Assessment of the impacts of tobacco aqueous extract on the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal-dependent activities. Dissertation Advisor: O. K. Ghazal, MB.BS.
Professional Appointments
- 1.
2026 – Present
Principal Investigator & Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track)
Department of Biology (Anatomy), College of Innovation & Technology, The University of Michigan-Flint
- 2.
2020 – 2026
Postdoctoral Scholar in Neuroscience
School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR
- 3.
2019 – 2020
Postdoctoral Fellow in Neural Systems
School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
- 4.
2017 – 2020
Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- 5.
2012 – 2017
Lecturer, Department of Anatomy
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- 6.
2020
Faculty Instructor in Neuroanatomy
School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Awards & Prizes
- 2025
Cryo-EM Workshop Grant (PAIR-UP Program)
Pacific Northwest Cryo-EM Center (PNCC)
- 2024
Cell Science PAIR-UP Imaging Analysis Workshop Grant
Allen Institute for Cell Science
- 2024
PAIR-UP Advanced Imaging Techniques Workshop Grant
ZEISS North America (ASCB-supported)
- 2024–2026
Oregon Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Scholar (ADRC REC Scholar)
Oregon Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
- 2023
PAIR-UP Molecular Medical Imaging Workshop Grant
Michigan State University
- 2023
PAIR-UP Two-Photon Microscopy Workshop Grant
Northwestern University
- 2022
Young Members Symposia Speaker (ISN–APSN)
International Society for Neurochemistry
- 2019
Young IBRO Regions Connecting Award
International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)
- 2018–2019
IBRO–ARC Bursary Fellowship
International Brain Research Organization
- 2017–2018
IBRO Advanced Neuroscience Schools
International Brain Research Organization
- 2017
Young Investigator Colloquium Speaker (ISN–ESN)
International Society for Neurochemistry
- 2016
ISN–JNC Flagship Neuroscience School Fellow
International Society for Neurochemistry
- 2016
ISN–CAEN Travel Award
International Society for Neurochemistry
- 2015–2016
Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM) Travel Award
The Company of Biologists, UK
- 2013
Neuroscience Teaching Tools Workshop Fellow
IBRO & Grass Foundation
- 2013
IBRO Alumni Symposium Speaker
International Brain Research Organization
- 2012–2013
ISN–CAEN Research Award
International Society for Neurochemistry
- 2009–2011
Brain Awareness Campaign Grants
IBRO / Dana Foundation
- 2010
Best Postgraduate Student Award
Anatomical Society of Nigeria
- 2006–2008
National Merit Scholarship Award
NNPC & Total Upstream Nigeria Limited