FUTA Appoints Professor Akeem Olalekan Lawal as Dean of School of Basic Medical Sciences

FUTA Appoints Professor Akeem Olalekan Lawal as Dean of School of Basic Medical Sciences

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has appointed Professor Akeem Olalekan Lawal as the new Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences. This appointment, confirmed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, will take effect from August 1, 2024, and will span a two-year term.

Professor Lawal's appointment follows his victory in an election conducted by the Board of the School of Basic Medical Sciences on July 24, 2024. His selection as Dean marks a significant milestone in his distinguished career.

A prominent scholar in Biochemistry and Environmental Cardiology, Professor Lawal's academic journey began with a First-Class Honors degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ibadan in 1997. He later obtained a master’s degree from the same institution in 2003. His academic pursuits were further advanced by a Commonwealth Scholarship, which led him to earn a PhD from the University of Strathclyde, UK, in 2010.

Professor Lawal's postdoctoral research took him to prestigious institutions, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa, where he was awarded the Claude Leon Fellowship. His research work has been widely recognized, earning him numerous accolades, such as the Best Graduating Student Award at the University of Ibadan and the Gordon Research Award in the USA.

In 2023, Professor Lawal was named among the World’s Top 2% Best Scientists by Stratford University, a testament to his significant contributions to the field. He has developed novel heme oxygenase-1 knockout mice and authored over 50 papers in high-impact journals, further solidifying his reputation as a leading researcher.

Throughout his career, Professor Lawal has been a mentor to numerous PhD and master’s students, many of whom have achieved professorial ranks. His leadership experience includes acting headships at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) and Lagos State University College of Medicine.

Professor Lawal is also an active member of several esteemed professional organizations, including the American Heart Association and the British Toxicological Society. His contributions to the academic community extend to serving as a reviewer for top-tier journals and as an external examiner for various universities.

As he assumes his role as Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Professor Lawal brings a wealth of experience and expertise that is expected to advance the institution's academic and research standards.