Pharm.

Soliu Abiola ATUNWA is an astute, vibrant, young, and team-player academic and

researcher. He is a Lecturer II in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of

Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin. His research interest is a tripartite course.

He has keen interest in Neuro-Psycho/Behavioral Pharmacology with bias in the design,

development and evaluation of innovative, adaptive, inexpensive and effective CNS-related

pharmacological models/techniques; Ethno-pharmacology with bias in the discovery,

development, and safety evaluation of indigenous medicinal plants or other natural products

with bias on moieties with CNS activities (analgesic and anti-inflammatory potentials); and

Pharmacology/Public Health Education through public enlightenment and education on the

side-effects, abuse and misuse of CNS drugs with emphasis on Narcotics.

Currently, Pharmacist Atunwa is a PhD candidate at the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty

of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. His PhD research project is focused

on the development of novel therapeutic targets with cognitive potentials from natural

products used in the management of Alzheimer’s disease. He is currently a beneficiary of

TETFund Scholarship Award and recently won a travel grant also from TETFund Conference

Sponsorship Award. He is also a co-winner of IBR/TETFund Research Grant, 2018 and University

of Ilorin Senate Research Grant (SRG) in 2015. He was also a recipient of Islamic Development

Bank Scholarship in 2006 to 2010. He has not less than twenty publications and conference
proceedings in both international and national reputable journals to his credit with several

others under peer-review. He has attended and presented papers at many seminars/meetings;

symposia/workshops; and both international and local conferences.

Prior to joining the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology as a full time Lecturer in 2014,

He has worked as a Business Development Manager and National Sales Manager with Health

Systems and Health Services Consultants Ltd, Ilorin in 2012 and 2016 respectively; as a hospital

pharmacist with Oyo State Hospitals Management Board (OYSHMB) in 2013, as a community

practitioner with Ayo Pharmacy, Ilorin and Kaosara Pharmacy Ltd, Ilorin in 2011 and 2012

respectively; and as a pupil pharmacist with Mocdim Int’l Pharmacy, and Vanguard Pharmacy

Ltd, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria between 2008 and 2010.

He is an alumnus of Islamic Primary School 1 and Obaseeku High School, Eruwa, Oyo State. He

graduated from the ‘Great Ife’ Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

in April, 2010 in Pharmacy. His desire to excel in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences propelled

him into securing a second degree in Master of Science in Pharmacology (M.Sc Pharmacology).

Also, because of his strong penchant for knowledge, he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in

Warehousing and Materials Management (Production Mgt) from Certified Institute of Warehousing and

Materials Management, Lagos, Nigeria in 2014; Proficiency Certificate in Management from Nigerian

Institute of Management (Chartered), Lagos, Nigeria; Diploma in French from Alliance Françaoise

D’Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria in 2010; and Advance Diploma in Computer Proficiency in 2006 from FAMAD

Computer Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria.

During his sojourns as an undergraduate and Intern Pharmacist at O.A.U., Ile-Ife and University

of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin respectively, he has demonstrated academic attitude of

passionately presenting pharmacology related topics at different fora. He also served as a Peer
Education Trainer with HIV/AIDS-PET/NYSC Project on “National Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS

Prevention and Care Project through NYSC” during his National Youth Service Corp (NYSC)

Programme in Nasarawa State where he adopted the Nasarawa State Girls’ College as his

teaching practice/project study centre from 2011 to 2012.

Pharmacist Atunwa is a member of European Psychiatric Association (EPA), International

Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group (NeuPSIG),

Society for Neuroscientists in Africa (SONA), West African Society of Pharmacologists (WASP),

West African Society of Toxicologists (WASOT), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Science

Association of Nigeria (SAN), Nigeria Society for Neuroscientists (NSN), National Association of

Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), Certified Institute of Warehousing and Materials

Management, Nigeria Institute of Management (Chartered), Obafemi Awolowo University

Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA), Islamic Development Bank Scholars’ Association

(IDBSA). He has held different positions at the Academic and Professional Communities which

include but not limited to: Co-ordinator of the Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and

Biotechnology, Examination Officer of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty

Representative at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, 500 Level Adviser, and

Coordinator for 300 Level Pharmacology Courses among others.