Hakeem O. Lawal

Hakeem O. Lawal is a Professor & Vice Chair in the Department of Biological Sciences at Delaware State University. His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. He investigates vesicular neurotransmitter transporters, particularly the role of acetylcholine and dopamine in neural function and disease pathogenesis.

Education: B.S. Microbiology (University of Lagos, 2001), M.S. and Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology (University of Alabama, 2007–2008), Post-doctoral scholarship at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine (2013).

Research interests include neurotoxicology (e.g., pesticide effects), aging-related neurodegeneration, and CRISPR-based genetic tools. He leads grants from the NSF and NIH, including an REU Site program and Alzheimer’s research training initiatives. His lab’s work bridges basic science and translational studies, emphasizing inclusive STEM education and mentorship.

Selected grants: NSF Award #2131750 (vesicular acetylcholine transporter studies), NSF #2244195 (REU Site), NIH USTAR (Alzheimer’s training). Collaborations focus on neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and drug discovery.

Labs/Teams: Lawallab.org, affiliated with Delaware State’s CAST College. Expertise includes grant writing, project management, and electrophysiological techniques.