Adeyinka Gladys Falusi
Adeyinka Gladys Falusi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, Nigeria |
| Occupation(s) | Professor of haematology, bioethicist |
| Known for | Research on sickle-cell disease, alpha-thalassemia, human genetics, bioethics; founding Sickle Cell Association of Nigeria and Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation |
Adeyinka Gladys Falusi, NPOM, is a distinguished Nigerian Professor of haematology and formerly directed the Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. Her expertise encompasses human genetics, bioethics, and molecular genetics, with a particular emphasis on inherited blood disorders such as sickle-cell disease and alpha-thalassemia.
Early life and education
Hailing from Ekiti State in southwestern Nigeria, Falusi grew up in Efon Alaaye. Motivated by a neighbor who achieved professorship, she initially pursued Chemistry at the University of Ibadan (UI) before transitioning to Haematology at the College of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan. She completed her M.Phil in 1981 and obtained her PhD in 1986, conducting research centered on blood disorders prevalent among Nigerian populations.
Career
Professor Falusi’s primary focus lies in the genetic aspects of Sickle Cell Disease alongside efforts to promote public education and awareness. She played a key role in founding the Sickle Cell Association of Nigeria (SCAN) and also established the Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation, acting as a trustee for the organization.
In 2001, she led the University of Ibadan and University College Hospital Institutional Review Committee, spearheading the establishment of Nigeria’s first well-structured Institutional Ethics Committee at the University of Ibadan. By 2005, she was coordinating the Nigeria Networking for Ethics of Biomedical Research in Africa, fostering enhanced ethical practices in biomedical research across the continent.
Honors and awards
In recognition of her work on hereditary blood disorders, Professor Falusi was honored with the L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science in 2001 and served in that capacity for four years. She received the National Productivity Order of Merit Fellowship in 2005. The Nigerian Academy of Science, the foremost scientific institution in Nigeria, inducted her as a fellow in 2009. Additionally, she was bestowed with the Ekiti State Merit Award by Governor Kayode Fayemi in 2013. The Access to Basic Care (ABC) Distinguished Personality Award followed in 2014 for her international advocacy efforts on behalf of individuals affected by sickle cell disease.
Publications
Her scholarly contributions include over 60 journal articles and book chapters as well as more than 80 conference papers. Her investigations predominantly address genetics related to non-communicable diseases such as breast cancer, asthma, malaria, and notably haemoglobinopathies like sickle cell disease and thalassaemias. Significant research has explored genetic modifiers and hematological parameters within these conditions.
Beyond sickle cell disease studies, she has also published works concerning ethics and standards governing research conduct.
Family
Falusi is married to Professor Abiodun Falusi, an expert in Agricultural Economics; together they have five children.
See also
External links
• Adeyinka Falusi on researchgate.net
- Nigerian women academics
- L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science laureates
- 21st-century women scientists
- Academic staff of the University of Ibadan
- Bioethicists
- Nigerian hematologists
- Living people
- Nigerian women scientists
- Nigerian women biologists
- People from Ekiti State
- Yoruba academics
- University of Ibadan alumni