Oluwole Ariyo, a Molecular Biologist/Virologist and a tenured Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology joined Allen University, South Carolina, USA in 2006. He served as Chair, Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences between 2009 and 2011. Prior to that, he was the Biology Coordinator for two years (2007 - 2009). He was formerly the Chair, Allen University Curriculum Committee and currently the Lead person for Institutional Review Board (IRB). He is also an Adjunct Professor at Strayer University and Midlands Technical College.

Dr. Oluwole Ariyo's Ph.D. was in Plant Molecular Virology with the doctoral research conducted at DSMZ-Plant Virus Division as a DAAD scholar in Germany. During his doctoral program in Germany, he made success with generating different infectious virus clones and developed a reliable protocol in the delivery of these virus constructs to enhance accurate virus testing for resistance studies in plants (results published in Journal of Virological Methods, Phytopathology, Plant Disease etc). His postdoctoral research placement was at University of South Carolina, USA during which, he investigated biogenesis of microRNAs in Rice and Corn.

Dr. Ariyo's current research is on, 'Elucidation of Gene Expression Patterns during Rice and Wheat Inflorescence Development'. He is at present, the Director and Principal Investigator for Environmental Justice Institute at Allen University. In the last 13 years, he has been a Principal Investigator on ten different grant awards. Therefore, he has a wealth of experience when it comes to grant writing. This has culminated in his quest for seasoned knowledge in Project Management. Consequent to this, he has satisfied 35 credit hours of continuing education instruction in Project Management Certificate at University of South Carolina, USA. Dr. Ariyo has mentored over 140 undergraduate students in research. He believes strongly that integrating research and hands-on activities into teaching is a pragmatic approach to ensure significant students' learning outcomes and skills acquisition.