Benson Otarigho, PhD
Department of Genetics, Division of Division of Discovery Science
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Instructor, Department of Genetics, Division of Discovery Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2017 | University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, NG, Cellular Parasitology Programme, Cell Biology, and Genetics (Zoology), Ph.D. (Cellular Parasitology) |
| 2011 | University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, NG, Parasitology (Zoology), M.Sc (Parasitology) (Ph.D. grade) |
| 2006 | Delta State University. Abraka, Abraka, Delta State, NG, Zoology, B.Sc. Hons, (Zoology) (2nd upper) |
Postgraduate Training
| 2024-2024 | Postgraduate Fellow, Genetics, Cell Biology, Immunology, Neurobiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2017-2023 | Postgraduate Scholar, Immunology, Neurobiology, Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon |
| 2016-2017 | Lecture/Teaching, Parasitology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Edo State University Uzairue, Iyamho, Edo |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Lecturer II, Department of Biological Sciences, Edo State University Uzairue, Iyamho, Edo, 2016 - 2017
Other Professional Positions
Postdoctoral Fellow, Immunology, host-pathogen interactions, neurobiology, and Genetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2024 - Present
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Course Curriculum Development for Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Edo State University Uzairue, 2016 - 2017
Member, Technical Committee of the Tenders Board, Edo State University Uzairue, 2016 - 2017
Member, Academic Brief Review Committe, Edo State University Uzairue, 2016 - 2017
Honors & Awards
| 2017 | Travel Grant, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Scholarship Award by Keystone Symposia Global Health Series, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| 2017 | Travel Grant, Society of Neuroscientists of Africa Travel Award sponsored by The International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) and International Society of Neurochemistry (ISN) |
| 2013 | TWAS-CNPQ POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME, THE WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (TWAS) |
| 2013 | Travel Grant for Molecular Biochemistry in Health Applications, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Agence Tunisienne de Coopération Technique (ATCT), and Institut Pasteur in Tunis (IPT) Travel Grant |
| 2003 | Delta State Bursary, Delta State, Nigeria |
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2024. Neuronal NPR-15 modulates molecular and behavioral immune responses via the amphid sensory neuron-intestinal axis in C. elegans. Poster. 2024 Genetics and Systems Biology Joint Retreat. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Neuronal NPR-15 modulates molecular and behavioral immune responses via the amphid sensory neuron-intestinal axis in C. elegans. Poster. 2023 MMI Retreat by the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Portland, OR, US.
- 2023. GPCR/NPR-15 controls the interplay between flight and fight response to pathogen infections via sensory neurons. Invited. Meeting by the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Portland, OR, US.
- 2022. Immunity-longevity tradeoff neurally controlled by GABAergic transcription factor PITX1/UNC-30. Invited. 2022 MMI Retreat by the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Portland, OR, US.
- 2022. Immunity-longevity tradeoff neurally controlled by GABAergic transcription factor PITX1/UNC-30. Poster. 2022 MMI Retreat by the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Portland, OR, US.
- 2021. Immunity-longevity tradeoff neurally controlled by GABAergic transcription factor PITX1/UNC-30. Invited. Meeting by the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Portland, OR, US.
- 2019. Cholesterol regulates innate immunity via nuclear hormone receptor NHR-8. Invited. Meeting by the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Portland, OR, US.
- 2019. Cholesterol regulates innate immunity via nuclear hormone receptor NHR-8. Invited. 2019 MMI Retreat by the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. Portland, OR, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2012. Laboratory Evaluation of The Molluscicide Potency of Cymbopogon citratus and Chromolaena odorata on The Different Developmental Stages of Biomphalaria pfeifferi. Conference. 3rd Unibadan Conference of Biomedical Research. Ibadan, Oyo, NG.
National Presentations
- 2014. Population Dynamics of Freshwater Snails in Eleyele Dam, Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Conference. 9th Annual Conference of Zoological Society of Nigeria (ZSN). Ibadan, Oyo, NG.
- 2013. Molluscicidal potency of Ficus exasperata (Vahl) against juvenile and adult Biomphalaria pfeifferi. Conference. 13th Annual Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Society of Experimental Biology (NISEB). Ilorin, Kwara, NG.
International Presentations
- 2025. Glutamate Ionotropic NMDA Receptor NMR-2 Regulates innate Immunity via Nervous System in C elegans. Poster. 25th International Worm Meeting. Davis, US.
- 2024. Mechanism of the interplay between molecular and behavioral immune defense via neurons-intestinal axis. Poster. Metabolism, Aging, Pathogenesis, Stress, and Small RNAs in C. elegans Meeting. Madison, US.
- 2019. Cholesterol is required for proper immunity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Conference. 22nd International C. elegans Conference. Los Angeles, US.
- 2017. Characterization of potential drug targeting folate transporter proteins from Eukaryotic Pathogens. Poster. ISCB Africa ASBCB Conference on Bioinformatics 2017. Entebbe, UG.
- 2017. Identification of Novel Biomarkers of Schistosoma mansoni in Biomphalaria glabrata. Poster. Keystone Symposia on Vectors, Pathogens and Diseases: Current Trends and Emerging Challenges (T1). Durban, ZA.
- 2017. Identification and Characterization of Eukaryotic Pathogens` Sodium and Chloride- dependent Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Transporters. Poster. 13th Conference of the Society of Neurobiologist of Africa. Kampala, UG.
- 2014. Shotgun proteomics of whole and depleted hemolymph from Biomphalaria glabrata, the snail host of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni. Poster. 2nd Meeting of the Brazilian Proteomics Society jointly with the 2nd Pan American HUPO Meeting. Búzios, BR.
- 2013. Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics of Anopheles gambiae Complex. Conference. International Conference on Science and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Ibadan, NG.
- 2013. Molecular Characterization, Phylogenomic, Phylogeography, and Evolution of freshwater snails in the genus Bulinus and Biomphalaria from schistosomiasis endemic areas in Southwest, Nigeria. Conference. A training course on Molecular Biochemistry in Health Application held in Institut Pasteur de Tunis-Tunisia. Tunis, TN.
Formal Peers
- 2017. The use of multimedia in teaching and research. Iyamho, Edo, NG.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2014 - 2015 |
| Title: | Proteomics patterns as biomarkers for the early detection of Schistosoma mansoni in a murine model |
| Funding Source: | The third World Academic of Science (TWAS) |
| Role: | Key |
| ID: | 3240274297 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Otarigho B, Falade MO, Duffin MD. Potential Natural Inhibitors of MRSA ABC Transporters and MecA Identified Through In Silico Approaches. Microorganisms 13(5):1431, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40572319.
- Otarigho B, Butt A, Aballay A. Neuronal NPR-15 modulates molecular and behavioral immune responses via the amphid sensory neuron-intestinal axis in C. elegans. Elife 12(RP90051), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38446031.
- Otarigho B, Falade MO. Natural Perylenequinone Compounds as Potent Inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni Glutathione S-Transferase. Life 13(10):1957, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37895339.
- Otarigho B, Falade MO. Computational Screening of Approved Drugs for Inhibition of the Antibiotic Resistance Gene mecA in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains. BioTech (Basel) 12(2):25, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37092469.
- Otarigho B, Aballay A. Immunity-longevity tradeoff neurally controlled by GABAergic transcription factor PITX1/UNC-30. Cell Reports 35(8), 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34038721.
- Otarigho B, Falade MO, Castro-Borges William. Insights from the shotgun-based proteomics analysis of Biomphalaria glabrata. Bioinformation 17(1):266-273, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34393445.
- Otarigho B, Aballay A. Cholesterol Regulates Innate Immunity via Nuclear Hormone Receptor NHR-8. iScience 5, 2020. PMID: 32361270.
- Otarigho B, Falade MO. Analysis of antibiotics resistant genes in different strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Bioinformation 14(3):113-122, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29785070.
- Otarigho B, Falade MO. Identification and characterization of sodium and chloride-dependent gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters from eukaryotic pathogens as a potential drug target. Bioinformation 14(1):21–30, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29497256.
- Mofolusho O Falade, Otarigho B. Comparative Functional Study of Thioester-containing Related Proteins in the Recently Sequenced Genome of Biomphalaria glabrata. Iran J Parasitol 13(1), 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29963089.
- Oyedibu Oyebayo Oloyede, Otarigho B, Olajumoke Morenikeji. Diversity, distribution and abundance of freshwater snails in Eleyele dam, Ibadan, south-west Nigeria. Zoology and Ecology 27(1):35–43, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Falade MO, Opene AJ, Otarigho B. DNA barcoding of Clarias gariepinus, Coptodon zillii and Sarotherodon melanotheron from Southwestern Nigeria. F1000Res 2016(5):1268, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27990256.
- Oyedibu Oyebayo Oloyede, Otarigho B, Olajumoke Morenikeji. Conditions of Eleyele dam in Ibadan Nigeria inhabited by Melanoides tuberculata. Sustainability of Water Quality and Ecology 7:22-31, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Otarigho B, Olajumoke A. Morenikeji. Efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves of Chromolaena odorata as molluscicide against different developmental stages of Biomphalaria pfeifferi. African Journal of Biotechnology 12(4):2013, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Otarigho B. Molluscicidal potency of Ficus exasperata (Vahl) against juvenile and adult Biomphalaria pfeifferi. Zoology and Ecology 23(2):147–156, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Otarigho B, Falade MO. Survival potential, fecundity and fertility of Biomphalaria pfeifferi (Krauss, 1848) during acclimatization in the laboratory. Zoology and Ecology 23(2):157–161, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Otarigho B. Efficacy of Chromolaena odorata leaf extracts on Biomphalaria pfeifferi eggs in control of Schistosomiasis. Zoology and Ecology 22(3–4):236–239, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
Review Articles
- Otarigho B, Aballay A. Neurotransmitter Signaling in Molecular and Behavioral Immune Responses to Pathogens in C. elegans. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews. e-Pub 2025.
Abstracts
- Otarigho B, Falade MO. Characterization of potential drug targeting folate transporter proteins from Eukaryotic Pathogens. iscb africa asbcb conference on bioinformatics 2017.
- Otarigho B, Aballay A. Cholesterol is required for proper immunity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. 22nd International C. elegans Conference.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 19, 2026