Ayotunde Adeagbo

A University of Louisville physiologist has won a Fulbright award to teach and study herbal medicine in Nigeria in the coming academic year.

Ayotunde Adeagbo, associate professor in U of L's physiology and biophysics department, will return to his native country to teach and conduct research on two plants used in African cultures to treat high blood pressure and diabetes. Scientists already have isolated an anti-malarial compound from one of the plants.

"I developed an interest in plant-based pharmaceuticals after my mother had a stroke several years ago and was successfully treated with some of these traditional remedies," says Adeagbo.

His mother's recovery prompted him to wonder what the active ingredients in the herbs might be and why they are effective, he said.

While in Nigeria, he will gather the preliminary data he needs to seek research funding to study the plants in a laboratory. He also will teach at his alma mater, the University of Ibadan, where he will offer courses in pharmacodynamics and molecular biology not now available to graduate students.

"Post-graduate education is so important to realizing the potential of developing countries like Nigeria," he said. "There are severe challenges to the health system, including a continual 'brain drain' of highly educated personnel. I hope I can contribute in some way to restoring a highly educated workforce there."

The Fulbright Scholar program, the U.S. government's flagship program in international educational exchange, sends 800 faculty and professionals abroad each year. Grantees lecture and conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields.