Folusho Falade

Associate Professor of Biology

“My teaching philosophy fundamentally revolves around fostering interdisciplinary thinking, enhancing practical skills and nurturing students’ innate curiosity.”

Folusho Falade brings a wealth of experience in studying infectious zoonotic diseases in both laboratory and field settings to his teaching at Transylvania. Falade’s interest in biology was initially ignited by his father, a veterinary parasitologist, who acquainted him with the intricate world of single-cell organisms. The elder Falade’s emphasis on the parasite responsible for malaria spread by mosquitoes significantly fueled Falade’s curiosity in a subject that has only become more critical due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Falade sees cell biology as an ideal fit for a liberal arts education. He cites the global strategy to combat infectious diseases as just one example of how cell biology is consistent with Transylvania’s multidisciplinary approach to education. “As I teach diverse topics such as zoonotic diseases and disease epidemiology, a liberal arts education encourages students to explore the ethical implications of scientific advancements,” he says, noting that the liberal arts “also provides a global perspective on how subjects like public health, infectious diseases and cell biology can impact society.” 

Falade blends practice with theory by incorporating his research interests into his course activities, believing that it is crucial for students to engage in high-quality research experiences at the undergraduate level. “Many of my students have not participated in any cell culture activity before Transy,” he says. “In my lab classes, they get to participate in hands-on cell culture of various eukaryotic cell lines.” These labs, which allow students to work directly with mammalian and parasite cultures, not only impart theoretical knowledge, but also equip them with tangible skills that are invaluable for future careers in the biological sciences.

He finds fulfillment in sharing this sort of knowledge and experience with his students, drawing analogies that they can easily understand, such as likening a pathogen’s remodeling of a cell to a homeowner doing renovations. “In these moments, I witness a captivating transformation,” he says, adding, “I see a spark of curiosity ignite in their eyes as they begin to understand concepts that initially seem so far off.”

Falade hopes to eventually harness his global network to create international study abroad course opportunities for biology students. 

“Teaching brings me immense joy, and this joy is enriched by the personal connections I establish with my students,” Falade says. 

Outside of the classroom, Falade enjoys sports, with a particular interest in soccer, and serves as a youth pastor in his local church, where he provides mentorship to teens and young adults.

“By immersing students in applied classes encompassing cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, we prepare them not solely for the scientific realm but also for a multitude of spheres, he says. “This process shapes them into knowledgeable and engaged global citizens.”

Academic History

  • Ph.D, Molecular Parasitology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 2007
  • M.Sc., Zoology (Parasitology), University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 2001
  • B.Sc., Zoology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, 1998

Professional Memberships

  • American Society of Parasitologists
  • American Society for Microbiology
  • American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists

Courses Taught at Transy

  • Advanced Cell Biology
  • Integrated Concepts in Biology: Molecules and Cells
  • Cell Biology

Areas of Research and Specialization

  • Molecular Parasitology
  • Protozoan Cell Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Infectious Diseases

Recent Publications

Otarigho, B and Falade, M. O. (2023). Computational Screening of Approved Drugs for Inhibition of the Antibiotic Resistance Gene mecA in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains. Biotech 12(2), 25.

Everson N, Bach J, Hammill JT, Falade MO, Rice AL, Guy RK, Eagon S (2021). Identification of Plasmodium falciparum heat shock 90 inhibitors via molecular docking. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 35:127818.

Eagon S, Hammill JT, Sigal M, Ahn KJ, Tryhorn JE, Koch G, Belanger B, Chaplan CA, Loop L, Kashtanova AS, Yniguez K, Lazaro H, Wilkinson SP, Rice AL, Falade MO, Takahashi R, Kim K, Cheung A, DiBernardo C, Kimball JJ, Winzeler EA, Eribez K, Mittal N, Gamo FJ, Crespo B, Churchyard A, García-Barbazán I, Baum J, Anderson MO, Laleu B, Guy RK (2020). Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationship of Dual-Stage Antimalarial Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines. J Med Chem. 63(20): 11902-11919.

Barrows RD, Hammill JT, Tran MC, Falade MO, Rice AL, Davis CW, Emge TJ, Rablen PR, Kiplin Guy R, Knapp S (2020). Evaluation of 1,1-cyclopropylidene as a thioether isostere in the 4-thio-thienopyrimidine (TTP) series of antimalarials. Bioorg Med Chem. 28(22): 115758.

Eagon S, Hammill JT, Bach J, Everson N, Sisley TA, Walls MJ, Durham S, Pillai DR, Falade MO, Rice AL, Kimball JJ, Lazaro H, DiBernardo C, Kiplin Guy R (2020). Antimalarial activity of tetrahydro-β-carbolines targeting the ATP binding pocket of the Plasmodium falciparum heat shock 90 protein. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 30(21):127502.

Matz J.M, Watanabe M, Falade M, Tohge T, Hoefgen R and Matuschewski K (2019). Plasmodium Para-Aminobenzoate Synthesis and Salvage Resolve Avoidance of Folate Competition and Adaptation to Host Diet. Cell Rep 26(2): 356-363

Falade, M. O.; Komoni, F and Nwuba, R. I. (2017). Efficacy of Lophira alata Leaf Extracts and its Combination with Artesunate in mice prior exposed to Plasmodium berghei. Drug Res doi: 10.1055/s-0043-120759

Falade, M. O. and Otarigho, B. (2017). Characterization of potential drug targeting folate transporter proteins from Eukaryotic Pathogens. F1000Research 6:36, doi: 10.12688/f1000research.10561.2.

Falade, M. O.; Opene, A. J. and Otarigho, B. (2016). DNA barcoding of Clarias gariepinus, Coptodon zillii and Sarotherodon melanotheron from Southwestern Nigeria. F1000Research 5:1268, doi: 10.12688/f1000research.7895.1

Posayapisit, N.; Songsungthong, W.; Koonyosying, P.; Falade, M. O.; Uthaipibull, C.; Yuthavong, Y.; Shaw, P. J. and Kamchonwongpaisan, S. (2016). Cytochrome c and c1 heme lyases are essential in Plasmodium berghei. Molecular Biochemical Parasitology 210(1-2)32-36