Dr. Quazim Alayo joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology as an instructor in July 2025. He earned his medical degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, followed by advanced training in global health science at the University of Oxford and immunology at Harvard Medical School. Under the mentorship of Dr. Dan Barouch, his early research focused on T-cell immune responses to viral vectors. He later studied the impact of oncolytic Herpes Simplex virus on tumor-infiltrating leukocytes in a mouse model of glioblastoma in Dr. E. Antonia Chiocca’s laboratory at Harvard Medical School. He completed his internal medicine training at St. Luke’s Hospital before pursuing gastroenterology and inflammatory bowel disease fellowships at Washington University in St. Louis.
His research focuses on the intersection of gastroenterology and immunology, with a particular emphasis on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Dr. Alayo’s work integrates clinical insights with translational science to better understand immune mechanisms in IBD and develop novel therapeutics. Under the mentorship of Dr. Gwendalyn Randolph, his current research explores the role of B cells and their trafficking in Crohn’s disease, specifically investigating B cell-derived lymphotoxin alpha and its potential role in preventing sarcopenia. His clinical interests include IBD, immune checkpoint inhibitor colitis, and microscopic colitis. Beyond research, Dr. Alayo is committed to medical education and mentorship, actively guiding fellows, residents, and medical students in both clinical and research settings. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, watching soccer, and spending time with his family.