New Faculty Focus: Olufunmilola Abraham   

Title: Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Educational/professional background: Received Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from University of Lagos, Nigeria, in 2007, and practiced as a hospital and community pharmacist in Nigeria. Received MS (2011) and Ph.D. (2013) from UW–Madison in Social and Administrative Pharmacy (Ph.D. minor in Industrial and Systems Engineering and Graduate certificate in Patient Safety).

Previous position: Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy

How did you get into your field of research? Through personal experience and working with pharmacy students, I became passionate about technology use to improve quality of pharmacy practice and patient care for underserved, understudied and vulnerable populations, particularly children.

What attracted you to UW–Madison? The faculty at the School of Pharmacy, the emphasis on patient-centered care, the UW infrastructure, and the city of Madison.

What was your first visit to campus like? It was an eye-opening experience. I first came as a graduate student from Nigeria and it was my first time in the United States. I had a host family that did an exceptional job showing me around the city and the University.

Favorite place on campus? Memorial Union, being around Lake Mendota

What are you most enjoying so far about working here? The supportive environment. Faculty and staff are very helpful and collaborative.

Do you feel your work relates in any way to the Wisconsin Idea? My research focuses on improving the quality of care that pharmacists and pharmacies provide to families in their clinical and community settings. My line of work centers on understanding patients’ and family caregivers’ medication-related needs to safely and appropriately use both over-the-counter and prescription medicines. My research findings help to inform policy around medication use and pharmacy practice to improve the lives of patients and their families.

What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter at parties? I am currently trying to make learning about safe use of medications and health for children fun through digital games.

Hobbies/other interests: Walking, reading, roller-skating, music, dance.

Learn more about Dr. Abraham.