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Dr. Barack O. Abonyo, an associate professor of pharmacology in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is an example of a FAMU researcher who is discovering and developing innovative ways to improve human life. This past summer, Abonyo received recognition in the June 2010 edition of the International Innovation magazine regarding his research to develop a better treatment for asthma sufferers. To view a copy of the report, click here.
Abonyo received his bachelor of science degree in zoology (1991) from Kenyatta University, masters of philosophy in molecular biology from Moi University/Maseno College (1997), special graduate program in physiology (1999) at Dartmouth College and Ph.D. in physiology (2001) from East Carolina University.
Prior to joining FAMU, Abonyo was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Infectious Diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He joined FAMU in 2003 as a research associate and became a visiting professor in 2004. In 2005, he was appointed tenure earning assistant professor of biology, a position he held until 2008 when he became an assistant professor of pharmacology. Abonyo has trained seven graduate students and is currently supervising one postdoctoral fellow, four graduate students and two undergraduate students in his laboratory.
He has published 12 peer-reviewed manuscripts, one book, a chapter of a textbook and 12 abstracts. As an inventor, he has submitted two provisional patents. During his tenure at FAMU, Abonyo has attracted more than $1.5 million in federal research funds to FAMU including $200,000 for the much coveted R15 grant.
For recognition of his contribution in research, Abonyo received the Young Investigators award from the American Physiological Society (2003), university wide Emerging Researcher of the Year from FAMU (2010), Emerging Investigator of the Year Award from the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2010) and Teacher of the Year (2010). Dr. Abonyo’s work has also been highlighted by International Innovation Magazine June, 2010 edition.
Abonyo’s research work began in 1990 as an undergraduate research project on food habits and habitats of different species of Tilapia in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. The project provided the first documentation of the different types of foods the fish thrives on. The knowledge was useful for fish farmers who have since aggressively embarked on aquaculture of Tilapia, which has since become a major income generating activity to the local community.
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