UK Pharmaceutical Sciences Alumni Profile: 2003 Grad Continues Success with Return to Academia

Oct 26, 2009

University of Kentucky alumnus Moses Oyewumi has met many challenges in his journey to becoming a pharmaceutical scientist, but with determination and guidance from several fellow UK alumni, he now has what he calls, "the best career ever."

Oyewumi, a native of Nigeria and a 2003 graduate of the UK Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program, currently is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) in Rootstown, Ohio.

His research emphasis is in the creation, characterization and application of novel nanoparticulate and microparticulate delivery systems as well as the assessment of novel drug delivery systems using in-vitro and in-vivo models. He also has studied targeted drug delivery systems in cancer, neuroprotection and neurodegeneration and the oral delivery of macromolecules

After receiving his Ph.D., he completed postdoctoral training at the former Center for Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (CPST) at UK in 2004 and at the University of Iowa in 2005. For the next four years, he worked for Emisphere Technologies Inc., in New York as a scientist in pharmaceutics research and development before taking his first academic position at NEOUCOM earlier this year.

But Oyewumi's career path began many years ago half way around the world when he received his pharmacy degree in 1990 from the Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria. There he received every top award, including best graduating student and best overall student in the program. "In Nigeria, when you get a pharmacy license you can open your own drug store and make a good living for your family," he said. "Once I received my degree my parents were very excited but then I told them I wanted to pursue more training. They were surprised when I wanted to keep going to school and not make any money."

He began attending a research institute in Nigeria where his passion for research grew. Although it cost more than 15 times his annual salary for a plane ticket to Ireland, Oyewumi was able to raise the money to attend a conference at Trinity College in Dublin in March 1998. It was at this scientific conference that he met and impressed UK alumnus and then UK faculty member, Dr. Michael Jay. "I think he saw my perseverance by how hard I had worked to come to the meeting and he told me about UK and I became determined to go there to continue my studies," Oyewumi said.

After many obstacles in obtaining his visa, Oyewumi arrived in Kentucky in the fall of 1999. Although the semester had already started, he worked quickly to catch up with his fellow graduate students while also adjusting to a new culture. After meeting another UK alum and former faculty member Dr. Russ Mumper, Oyewumi says he knew he wanted to be mentored by him. "I liked his energy and his passion for research," he said. "I also liked that he had spent time working in industry and was able to bring that experience into his lab and his teaching."

Mumper says he also was impressed by Oyewumi's love of learning and knowledge. "He was one of the most motivated students that I had ever come across and he received several awards as well as had one of his papers receive a 'top-10' cited award for a journal," said Mumper, who is now the John A. McNeill Distinguished Professor and director of the Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery at the University of North Caroline School or Pharmacy.

Oyewumi eventually followed in Mumper's footsteps by working and gaining experience in the pharmaceutical industry. At Emisphere Technologies, Inc. he led a team of formulation scientists in oral solid formulation development and scale-up of various products including oral formulations for GLP-1, Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, Insulin, Heparin, Gallium nitrate, and Vitamin B12. He also designed and developed new formulations across all projects involving small molecules and macromolecules.

Despite his achievements, he made his move back to a University setting earlier this year as an assistant professor at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Pharmacy where his dean, Dr. David Allen, is also a UK pharmaceutical sciences alumnus. "We are delighted that Moses has joined our faculty," said Allen. "His training has aptly prepared him for a faculty position and he has hit the ground running at full speed. His excitement about his work is palpable and infectious to others."

Mumper also approves of his former student's career move. "I am thrilled that Moses decided to return to academia to begin the next phase of his career. I want to see the excitement on student's faces when Moses is sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm."

And for Oyewumi, to continue the work he has started as well as have the ability to mentor future scientists is a dream fulfilled. "I always knew that in the long run I would pursue a career in academic research," he said. "To me, having an impact on other lives is the greatest benefit."