What inspired you to become part of the pharmaceutical profession?
As a young man in Nigeria, I saw how my mother used Western and herbal medicines treat patients. I decided that I wanted to pursue medical sciences. I always had a passion to alleviate human suffering, which may stem from my mother who was a nurse. In those days, nurses had many responsibilities, including dispensing medicines.
What is your specialty, and why did you decide to choose it?
I decided to pursue research, researching the herbal medicines my mother used, so I could translate my findings into orthodox medicine. However, she died before I could tap into her knowledge of herbal medicines. This notwithstanding, I continued my pursuit of research because of my love for it, and I knew that I would be able to contribute by developing medicines. My specialty is clinical pharmacology, which is the study of drug action in humans. Through clinical trials, we help develop dosage regimen to maximize drug effect and minimize toxicity. Our role is to design and perform clinical trials, collect data, analyze data, create models that help us transform what we have learned into medical knowledge and develop guidelines for drug usage. After a drug is introduced to market, we also monitor it to determine if adverse effects, hitherto unknown, can be explained by dosage and patient factors or the dosage may need modification.
How long have you been involved in the profession?
For 23 years on three different continents -- United States, Nigeria and Great Britain.
What is the one goal that you have set for yourself relative to your career?
To always be at the cutting edge of the profession and to continue to be a sought-out opinion leader internationally in pharmacometrics. I also want to keep coming up with new and innovative ideas for designing and analyzing clinical trials, and developing drugs, which will enable us to market drugs faster and at a reduced cost.
What do you like best about working in the pharmaceutical field?
Solving challenging problems and providing innovative solutions. I am always looking for novel solutions. For each case, the second solution will be different than the first. The key is always providing unique solutions to unique problems.
What are your most proud accomplishments in your profession? In your life?
While working with the FDA, I turned my research into a policy document called the Population Pharmacokinetics Guidance for Industry, which is used by the industry and the FDA as a standard. The guide focused on pharmacokinetics in the population setting, the study of what the body does to medicine; and also used in pharmacodynamics, the study of what medicines do to the body.
Another proud accomplishment was being named the 1999 winner of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy's prestigious Russell Miller Award for outstanding contributions to clinical pharmacy literature.
What goes through your mind before you go to work each day?
How can I apply my God-given wisdom to excel in what I do. This relates to my job performance, oversight, and mentoring for my staff of eight.
What is your favorite part of the day?
The late afternoon, which is when I have the chance to do most of my thinking and reading.
What, if any, barriers or challenges have you personally had to overcome?
I have found it sometimes difficult to get some of my innovative ideas published in journals. However, I have always persevered and seen my work published. The other challenges I face are self-imposed. I am always looking for ways to raise my performance beyond where it is today. I impel myself to go for it all.
How do you address health care disparities among minority populations within your profession?
I have had the opportunity to mentor and encourage minorities to maximize their potential. They just need someone to tell them that they can do it.
Who is/are your role model(s) or mentor(s)?
I come from a family of 10 siblings. As the youngest they were all my role models while growing up. In my professional life, I had the chance to watch from a distance Dr. Lewis Sheiner, who was the founder of the pharmacometrics specialty. Donald McLeod, a leader in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, has been my close mentor.
What are your plans for the future?
I'd like to eventually own my own pharmaceutical business that focuses on research and consulting.
What words of wisdom do you have for students just graduating?
Never say I can't. I can't is not in my vocabulary. If you apply yourself, then you can do more and excel.
What do you like to do in your spare time (hobbies, interests, sports, travel, volunteering)?
I minister to the sick through my church. There are so many people who have needs. I like to reach out and help them with those needs. I want to be a blessing to others.
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