Toluleke Famuyiwa

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science Department of Biology Ph.D. candidate, Toluleke Famuyiwa, has distinguished himself as a dynamic scholar and educator during his FAU years. Famuyiwa's doctoral research focuses on reducing multidrug resistance in prostate cancer treatment using drug combination method and nanoparticle drug delivery technique. And in recent months Famuyima has been one of the four team members of Keep Moving, a project of the COVID-19 Change Challenge to keep FAU students positive and motivated during this pandemic. Famuyima also mentors FAU undergraduate students who are completing their honors thesis research under his mentorship.

"I combined two drugs (3-bromopyruvate and SC-514) with the aim to reduce drug resistance in prostate cancer treatment." Famuyiwa explained. "Additionally, I utilize PLGA (Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles to effectively deliver the two drugs to the prostate cancer cells."

Famuyiwa's prostate cancer research is done under the supervision of Dr. James Kumi-Diaka, as well as other professors on his Ph.D. research committee: Dr. Waseem Asghar, Dr. James Hartmann, Dr. Gregg Fields and Dr. Erik Noonburg whom he credits into shaping him into the researcher he is today. Famuyima also gives back by mentoring undergraduate students.

As a scholar Famuyima has been awarded the McKnight Dissertation Fellowship from Florida Education Fund and Graduate Fellowship for Academic Excellence from Florida Atlantic University, Graduate College.

"The most rewarding part of being a researcher has been watching the numerous undergraduate students further develop their passion for science through gaining research experience, completing their Direct Independent Studies (DIS), and completing their honors thesis research under my mentorship," said Famuyima, who in the next five years hopes to become a research professor whose contributions will help to create a world where being diagnosed with any stage of prostate cancer is no longer a death sentence. He also hopes to establish a foundation, Solution Illuminators LLC, to coach and mentor undergraduate students who lack experience or skills required to begin their careers.

Over the last two years Famuyima has honed his teaching skills as an adjunct instructor at Broward College, teaching Anatomy and Physiology labs, Anatomy and Physiology class, Climate Change class, and labs for non-Biology Majors.

And in recent months Famuyima has been one of the four team members of Keep Moving, a project of the COVID-19 Change Challenge to keep FAU students positive and motivated during this pandemic. Their Instagram page – faukeepmoving – has 1,615 followers thus far.

"Our audience affirmed that they needed motivation and laughter during this difficult time of COVID-19 pandemic and they looked forward to the daily videos and motivational quotes." Famuyima said. "We plan to register Keep Moving as a club at FAU during the 2020 Fall semester."

Famuyima, who was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and now lives in Davie, says that in his limited free time he enjoys watching movies, listening to music, spending time with his family, riding his bicycle, exercising, traveling, and watching or reading biographies about the people who inspire him.

"One of my favorite memories was when I won the Graduate Owl of the Year during the 2019 FAU Broward Achievement Awards," he said.