The Federal University of Technology, Akure, has announced the appointment of Professor Funmilola Omoya as the new Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences.

Professor Omoya's appointment was approved by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, following her election by the School. She is a renowned academic, researcher, and administrator with a distinguished career marked by significant contributions to Public Health and Microbiology.

As a Professor of Microbiology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Omoya has built a strong reputation in teaching, research, and university administration, with particular expertise in malaria control, infectious disease epidemiology, and sustainable biological interventions for disease prevention.

An alumna of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Omoya holds a Bachelor of Technology, Master of Technology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Microbiology from the University. She also obtained a Master of Public Health degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, which has equipped her with a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates microbiology, environmental health, infectious diseases, and public health practice.

Professor Omoya joined the University as a Graduate Assistant in 2001 and rose through the academic ranks to become a Professor in 2020. Before her appointment as Dean, she served as the pioneer Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, where she provided strategic leadership that laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of the Department.

Throughout her career, Professor Omoya has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the advancement of the University through active participation in several strategic committees, including the School of Sciences Intellectual Debate Seminar Committee, the FUTA Radio Airtime Committee, the FUTA Publications Committee, and the Examiners' Report Committee of the School of Postgraduate Studies.

Beyond the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Professor Omoya has contributed significantly to the wider academic and scientific community. She has served as a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Atmospheric Research, National Space Research and Development Agency, and has functioned as an External Examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in several Nigerian universities.

As an internationally recognised researcher, Professor Omoya's work focuses on malaria treatment and control, biological control of malaria vectors, natural products for antimalarial drug and vaccine development, public health, and infectious disease epidemiology. Her research has advanced environmentally sustainable approaches to malaria vector control and continues to contribute to global efforts aimed at reducing the burden of malaria, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Professor Omoya has authored and co-authored over one hundred scholarly publications in reputable national and international peer-reviewed journals. She has presented research findings at conferences, workshops, and scientific meetings across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.

She is an active member of several professional bodies, including the American Society for Microbiology, Nigerian Society for Microbiology, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria, Society for Applied Microbiology, Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World, and the Pan African Mosquito Control Association.

Professor Omoya is widely recognised for her commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals. She has successfully supervised numerous undergraduate projects, Master's dissertations, and Doctoral theses, many of whose beneficiaries now occupy strategic positions in academia, healthcare, research institutes, government agencies, and industry.

As the Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Professor Omoya is expected to provide strategic leadership that will further strengthen the School's academic programmes, promote impactful research, enhance staff and student development, and foster collaborations that advance innovation in medical education and biomedical sciences.

• Provide strategic leadership for the School of Basic Medical Sciences
• Strengthen academic programmes
• Promote impactful research
• Enhance staff and student development
• Foster collaborations that advance innovation in medical education and biomedical sciences

Congratulations to Professor Funmilola Omoya on her appointment as the Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences.