Joseph Oludare Owasoyo

Professor Joseph Oludare Owasoyo, DVM/Ph.D., 75, of Pine-Bluff, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2020. He was born on August 9, 1945, to the family of Mr. Solomon and Mrs. Felicia Owasoyo in Ifon, Ondo State of Nigeria. His value on education was kindled by his parents who enrolled him at Saint Andrews Primary School, Owo, Ondo State of Nigeria. He later proceeded to Victory College, Ikare, Ondo State, Nigeria for his secondary school education.

In pursuit of his educational and professional ambition, in 1964 he left Nigeria to pursue higher education in the United States. He attended the University of California, Davis and obtained the Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 1968. Thereafter, he enrolled at Tuskegee University (Alabama) with double majors and received the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science and the DVM in Veterinary Medicine in 1972. Because of his deep interest in interdisciplinary science, he attended the same university for further graduate education and obtained the Master of Science Degree in Veterinary Science - Pharmacology in 1976. He later obtained the Ph.D. in Toxicology at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky., in 1986.

Dr. Joseph Owasoyo served on the faculty at outstanding colleges and universities in the United States and in Nigeria. At Tuskegee University, he taught Veterinary Pharmacology and Human Physiology from 1972 to 1976. At the University of Ibadan, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ibadan, Nigeria, Professor Owasoyo taught Veterinary Physiology and Veterinary Pharmacology to the Veterinary Medicine students from 1976 to 1980. He was an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria from 1980 to 1982. And as a graduate assistant at the Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky., from 1982 to 1986, he completed the course and research requirements for the Ph.D. in Toxicology. In 1978, he accepted employment at Florida A&M University as a Research Associate for Pharmacology and Toxicology in the College of Pharmacy. There he did research with Dr. Charles. A. Walker and others on the research team. He authored and co-authored more than twenty articles in professional journals. In 1987, Dr. Walker became Chancellor for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and invited Dr. Owasoyo to join him as Associate Director of the Research Center, now named the Charles R. Walker Research Center. Dr. Owasoyo accepted the appointment. Later, as a Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the Department of Biology, he taught introductory Biology courses, Biology Seminar, and Special Topics courses to Biology students. He also developed and taught a General Pharmacology course to Biology students and Pathophysiology course to nursing students. In 2019, Dr. Joseph Owasoyo, Professor, voluntarily retired from UAPB after completing his journey as a scientist, teacher, published author in scientific journals and noted citizen of the United States of America and Nigeria.

Dr. Owasoyo was a member of different social and academic organizations including Sigma XI Scientific Research Society, New York Academy of Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, International Society for Chronobiology, Southeastern Pharmacology Society, Society of Neuroscience, International Brain Research Organization, Aerospace Medical Association and Egbe Omo Yoruba.

Professor Joseph Oludare Owasoyo is survived by Mrs. Philomena Owasoyo (Wife), USA; Mr. John K. Owasoyo (Son), USA; Mrs. Titilayo M. Lawal (Sister), Nigeria; Mr. Sunday Owasoyo (Brother), Italy; Mr. Felix D. Owasoyo (Brother), Nigeria; Dr. Abayomi Ajai (Nephew), Nigeria; Mr. Akinyemi P. Ajai (Nephew), USA; Mr. Olusesan Owolabi (Nephew), USA; Mrs. Kudirat Babatunde (Niece), Nigeria; Mr. Kayode Lawal (Nephew), USA; Mr. Taiwo Lawal (Nephew), Nigeria; Mr. Kehinde Lawal (Nephew), Nigeria; and Mrs. Olubukola Oluwafemi (Niece), Nigeria. He is also survived by 13 great-nephews and great-nieces. May his gentle soul rest perfectly peacefully in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ and until we meet again on the day of resurrection, Adieu Professor Joseph Oludare Owasoyo.

A graveside service will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 15, 2021, at Graceland Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff, Ark. www.Brownfuneralhomeandmortuary.com