We’re excited to highlight the work of Opeoluwa Iwaloye, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate conducting innovative research in Dr. Clayton Mathews’s lab and affiliate of the University of Florida Diabetes Institute. Her research focuses on the IFIH1 gene, a known risk factor for type 1 diabetes, and how it shapes immune cell behavior, particularly in macrophages. Through the use of iPSC-derived immune cells, Iwaloye is developing a novel co-culture model that includes macrophages, T cells, and beta cells—all from the same donor. Her work has broad potential for biomarker discovery, precision therapies, and early intervention strategies.
Collaboration is at the center of Iwaloye’s research approach. She was first drawn to the collaborative, curiosity-driven environment of the Mathews Lab during her lab rotations, which sparked her passion for type 1 diabetes research. Since then, she has expanded her partnerships beyond UF. Currently she is working closely with leading scientists at Washington University and the University of Kansas Medical Center on an NIH R01-funded project. These collaborations bring diverse expertise that enrich her work and offer valuable perspectives. Alongside her research achievements, Iwaloye has earned several competitive awards and was recently named a 2025 Scholar in the prestigious Scientist Mentoring & Development Program (SMDP) Biotech, which offers intensive training, mentorship, and networking to emerging scientific leaders.We wish her the best of luck and look forward to seeing her future achievements.
Read the full interview here:
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your academic journey?
My name is Opeoluwa Iwaloye, and I’m a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Infectious Diseases and Immunology department, affiliated with the Biomedical Sciences program at the University of Florida. I have a background in microbiology and molecular biology, and my current focus is on type 1 diabetes immunology. I conduct my research in Dr. Clayton Mathews’s Lab and am affiliated with the University of Florida Diabetes Institute.
When I first came to UF, I was broadly interested in immunology and explored various labs. I didn’t initially know much about the work happening in the Mathews lab, but during my rotation, I became really interested in their research and loved the lab culture of active learning and intellectual curiosity. That’s how I got started working in type 1 diabetes and fell in love with the science of type 1 diabetes immunology.
What area of research are you currently involved in as part of your graduate studies?
I study the role of a gene variant associated with type 1 diabetes risk called IFIH1. My goal is to understand how this gene affects immune cells, particularly macrophages, in the development of type 1 diabetes. To do this, I use iPSC-derived macrophages to model genotype-specific immune responses to viral mimics.
The iPSC model offers controlled, human-relevant modeling of disease mechanisms while eliminating background genetic variation. This platform enables precise comparisons of how risk versus non-risk genotypes affect macrophage activation and downstream CD8⁺ T cell responses in the context of T1D. Overall, my work provides opportunities for biomarker discovery, therapeutic target validation, disease modelling, and precision immunotherapy.
Why is this research important, and what potential impact could it have in the field?
Type 1 diabetes is influenced by many different genes and environmental factors, but no single gene has been identified as the sole cause. Studying individual genes like IFIH1 helps us better understand the disease mechanisms. Even though we don’t yet know the exact function of all the genes involved, by exploring them one by one, we can gradually build a more complete picture of the disease development. This is vital for advancing disease prevention, early intervention, and the development of effective treatments and therapeutics.
Can you describe a current project you’re working on and your specific role within it?
Now that I’ve identified some early results with macrophages, I’m working on developing a co-culture system that includes major immune cells involved in type 1 diabetes. Instead of studying macrophages in isolation, I’m incorporating beta cells and T cells into the same model. These immune cells are derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), all from the same donor, allowing me to study them in an isogenic system. This model will help me understand how IFIH1 affects macrophage behavior in a more complete immune environment.
What research methods or techniques are you using, and how did you learn them?
The main technique I use is flow cytometry. At one point, I was doing flow cytometry experiments every day. Other methods I use include handling and maintaining iPSC cultures, working with monocyte factories, CRISPR, molecular biology techniques, and various cell-based and immunological assays. Before joining the lab, I had only used flow cytometry a few times and never handled iPSCs, but at the beginning I learned a lot from other researchers in the lab, Amy Meacham, Ed Butfiloski, and Simi Ogundare were especially helpful. I’ve also learned a great deal from collaborating with Dr. Clayton Mathews and Richard Coffey, particularly in writing grants and performing T cell co-culture assays.
Are you collaborating with other students, faculty, or institutions? How have those collaborations shaped your experience?
Yes, I collaborate closely with members of the Mathews lab. Outside of UF, I have actively collaborated with several leaders in the field. I previously worked with Dr. Alan Attie at the University of Wisconsin and, for the past three years, have been collaborating with Dr. Jeffrey Millman at Washington University and Dr. Hubert Tse at the University of Kansas Medical Center on an NIH R01-funded project. These ongoing collaborations have been incredibly valuable to my research at UF. We meet monthly, and their feedback and diverse expertise consistently provide new perspectives that enhance the rigor and impact of my work.
Have you received any awards, fellowships, or recognitions during your time as a graduate research assistant?
Yes, I have received multiple travel grants to attend conferences within and outside of UF to attend conferences. Within the University of Florida, I have been awarded the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Graduate Program Travel Grant and the Graduate Student Council (GSC) Travel Grant, both of which supported my participation in scientific conferences.
Externally, I received the American Diabetes Association Early Career Travel Award, which enabled me to attend and present my research at the 2023 ADA Scientific Sessions. More recently, I was selected as a 2025 Scholar in the Scientist Mentoring & Development Program (SMDP) Biotech, a prestigious professional development award. Through this program, I participated in a 5-day intensive training and networking session and attended the BIO International Convention in Boston (June 2025). The award also includes a year-long industry mentorship and structured career development support.
What do you enjoy doing outside of your research and academic responsibilities?
Outside of research, I love spending time with my family. I recently had a baby, so I’m enjoying these special moments with her. I also love FaceTiming with my family back in Nigeria.
Where can people go to learn more about your work or connect with you?
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/opeoluwa-ope-iwaloye-517704101/
Email: opeoluwaiwaloye@ufl.edu
Phone Number (Business): (352) 273-9269
What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing graduate research in infectious diseases and immunology?
My advice is to stay open-minded. You never know what you’ll end up being passionate about. For example, I started with a general interest in immunology but ended up falling in love with type 1 diabetes research. The field is very welcoming, and if you keep a broad perspective and stay ready to learn new things, you’ll find the path that’s right for you, even if it’s different from what you first expected.
Interviewer: Julia Martin, UF Undergraduate
Interview with Opeoluwa Iwaloye
Transcribed: 7/6/2025
