The First Female Professor of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology in Nigeria, Professor Oluwafunmilayo Ayoka Omoteleola Adebambo will launch her Autobiography and deliver the Second Valedictory Lecture of the University on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 by 10:00am at the Institution’s Ceremonial Building.
Professor Adebambo who retired from the service of the University in December, 2018 having served meritoriously in various capacities including First Head of Department of Animal Breeding and Genetic and First Female Dean, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM) will be delivering a Lecture titled, “The Days of Small Beginning”.
A highly reputed Scholar par excellence, the Valedictory Lecturer recorded another First through a major breakthrough in the production of the First Improved Indigenous Chicken Breed, code-named “FUNAAB Alpha”, after 24 years of research
It would be recalled that the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) formally presented the certificate of the first improved indigenous chicken breed customised and branded as FUNAAB Alpha to the University last year.
An erudite Scholar, Professor Adebambo is a recipient of Federal Government Scholarship for undergraduate studies 1970-1973; Pfizer price for the Best Student in Animal Science at the University of Ibadan in 1973; University of Ibadan Scholarship for postgraduate studies 1973-1976; British Council Grant for training in Pig Breeding, Feeding and Management of Pigs 1982; Commonwealth Fellowship to study Immunogenetics and Disease Monitoring from September 1986 to July 1987; Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Research grant for Hybrid Pig Breeds Development 1984 – 1985 and Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Research Grant for pig and Rabbit Development 1987 – 1989.
Others include Rare Breeds International Travel Grant to Great Britain on Policy Drafting on Genetic Conservation of Animal Breeds July 1989; Directorate of Foods, Roads and Rural Infrastructure Grant for indigenous Hybrid Pigs Multiplication 1989 – 1993; Rare Breeds International Travel Grant to Budapest Hungary on Conservation of Rare African Animal Breeds July 1991; ILCA International Travel Grant to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Proposal writing for African Breeds Conservation 1992 and University of Agriculture RESDEC research grant for Indigenous Poultry Breeds Development for Nigeria (1994-1996); (1998-2001).
Furthermore, she bagged the World Bank assisted National Agricultural Research Projects grant for training in Molecular characterization of Ruminant animal Breeds (Genomics) 1996 – 1998; India’s Technical Cooperation/ SCAAP Training Grant for Specialized training in Poultry Breeding, Artificial Insemination and Hatchery Management – 2001; University of Agriculture RESDEC research grant for Indigenous Poultry Breeds Development for Nigeria – (2006-2007) and World Bank assisted UNAAB Biotechnology project (STEP-B) for Capacity Building in Animal Biotechnology 2008-2010.
In addition, the Valedictory Lecturer benefitted from the World Bank assisted Research grant for training in Molecular Characterization of Animal Muscle Development (Proteomics) at the Ohio State University USA 2009; Nigerian Institute of Animal Science Equipment support grant for Students training in Animal Biotechnology Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, UNAAB 2010 and Institute of Food Security and Rural Agricultural Research (IFSERAR, UNAAB) Research Grant for Molecular characterization of Indigenous chicken of Nigeria ( 2010).
The First Female Professor of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology in Nigeria is a Life member, Genetics Society of Nigeria; Life Member, Nigerian Society for Animal Production; Member, British Society for Animal Production; Member, American Society for Animal Science; Member, Rare Breeds International (World Society for Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources); Member, World Poultry Science Association; Member, Animal Science Association of Nigeria and Registered Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science.
Her Research interests centre on Genomic Imprinting in ruminants, Functional Genomics in growth and muscle development; Genetic Determinants of Meat quality; Genetic improvement of indigenous poultry and pig breeds and Genetic Characterization of Nigeria’s Livestock breeds.