K43TW011920
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Developmental Neurotoxicity and Autism Spectrum Disorder - Project Summary
The Emerging Global Leader Award (K43) aims to advance the career development and research activities of Dr. Omamuyovwi Ijomone, a senior lecturer/researcher at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Dr. Ijomone's overall research goal is to contribute novel information to understanding the mechanisms of neuronal degeneration. Particularly, he aims to understand how the brain is affected by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors that trigger neuronal death at critical stages of development.
Neurodevelopmental disorders are diverse conditions resulting from aberrant brain development. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), amongst other conditions, falls in this category. The etiology of these diseases is not fully understood; however, it involves gene-environmental interplay. Environmental overexposure to heavy metals, specifically nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn), have been linked to ASD pathogenesis.
During this program, Dr. Ijomone's research will pioneer the use of the innovative Caenorhabditis elegans model in the Nigerian biomedical research community to investigate the role of ASD risk genes, NRXN and NLGN, in morphological, behavioral, and molecular alterations caused by developmental Ni and Mn exposures. His research approach will build on gene expression and genetic analysis methodological toolkit to specifically: 1) investigate the role of NRXN and NLGN in neurodevelopmental deficits of Ni and Mn exposures; and 2) elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental deficits of Ni and Mn exposures upon NRXN and NLGN mutations.
Dr. Ijomone's career development goals for this program are to: 1) build on existing and acquire new knowledge and skills to effectively design and test hypothesis-driven translational research ideas; 2) improve grantmanship and manuscript writing skills, as well as improve skills for effective communication of scientific findings to policymakers and the general public; and 3) contribute to the scientific platform in Nigeria and build local research capacity.
Dr. Ijomone will undertake this program under the collaborative mentorship of Prof. Michael Aschner (USA mentor), Prof. Ganiyu Oboh (Nigeria mentor), and Prof. Herbert Lachman (co-mentor, USA). Prof. Aschner is a leading neurotoxicologist with research interest in genetic and environmental interplay during CNS development and senescence. Prof. Oboh is a top Nigerian researcher with expertise that includes toxicology and neuroprotection. Prof. Lachman is a physician and behavioral geneticist interested in the molecular and genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD. Prof. Janis Weeks (USA), a professor emerita with extensive experience in using the C. elegans model for translational research, will provide additional guidance.
Dr. Ijomone will use the K43 award in a structured research and training program to enable him to develop into a fully independent investigator and a scientific leader.
The Emerging Global Leader Award (K43) aims to advance the career development and research activities of Dr. Omamuyovwi Ijomone, a senior lecturer/researcher at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. Dr. Ijomone's overall research goal is to contribute novel information to understanding the mechanisms of neuronal degeneration. Particularly, he aims to understand how the brain is affected by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors that trigger neuronal death at critical stages of development.
Neurodevelopmental disorders are diverse conditions resulting from aberrant brain development. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), amongst other conditions, falls in this category. The etiology of these diseases is not fully understood; however, it involves gene-environmental interplay. Environmental overexposure to heavy metals, specifically nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn), have been linked to ASD pathogenesis.
During this program, Dr. Ijomone's research will pioneer the use of the innovative Caenorhabditis elegans model in the Nigerian biomedical research community to investigate the role of ASD risk genes, NRXN and NLGN, in morphological, behavioral, and molecular alterations caused by developmental Ni and Mn exposures. His research approach will build on gene expression and genetic analysis methodological toolkit to specifically: 1) investigate the role of NRXN and NLGN in neurodevelopmental deficits of Ni and Mn exposures; and 2) elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental deficits of Ni and Mn exposures upon NRXN and NLGN mutations.
Dr. Ijomone's career development goals for this program are to: 1) build on existing and acquire new knowledge and skills to effectively design and test hypothesis-driven translational research ideas; 2) improve grantmanship and manuscript writing skills, as well as improve skills for effective communication of scientific findings to policymakers and the general public; and 3) contribute to the scientific platform in Nigeria and build local research capacity.
Dr. Ijomone will undertake this program under the collaborative mentorship of Prof. Michael Aschner (USA mentor), Prof. Ganiyu Oboh (Nigeria mentor), and Prof. Herbert Lachman (co-mentor, USA). Prof. Aschner is a leading neurotoxicologist with research interest in genetic and environmental interplay during CNS development and senescence. Prof. Oboh is a top Nigerian researcher with expertise that includes toxicology and neuroprotection. Prof. Lachman is a physician and behavioral geneticist interested in the molecular and genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD. Prof. Janis Weeks (USA), a professor emerita with extensive experience in using the C. elegans model for translational research, will provide additional guidance.
Dr. Ijomone will use the K43 award in a structured research and training program to enable him to develop into a fully independent investigator and a scientific leader.
Funding Goals
THE JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER (FIC) SUPPORTS RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING TO REDUCE DISPARITIES IN GLOBAL HEALTH AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN U.S. SCIENTISTS AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS ABROAD. FIC SUPPORTS BASIC BIOLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH, AS WELL AS RELATED RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. THE RESEARCH PORTFOLIO IS DIVIDED INTO SEVERAL PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT A WIDE VARIETY OF FUNDING MECHANISMS TO MEET PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Nigeria
Geographic Scope
Foreign
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 312% from $95,917 to $395,345.
University Of Medical Sciences, Ondo was awarded
Neurotoxicity & Autism Spectrum Disorder - Research on NRXN & NLGN Mutations
Project Grant K43TW011920
worth $395,345
from Fogarty International Center in July 2022 with work to be completed primarily in Nigeria.
The grant
has a duration of 5 years and
was awarded through assistance program 93.989 International Research and Research Training.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 6/20/25
Period of Performance
7/25/22
Start Date
6/30/27
End Date
Funding Split
$395.3K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$395.3K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to K43TW011920
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
K43TW011920
SAI Number
K43TW011920-4014685469
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Non-Domestic (Non-U.S.) Entity
Awarding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Funding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Awardee UEI
NQ57WKGRPP95
Awardee CAGE
SFDR2
Performance District
Not Applicable
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John E. Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0819) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $192,526 | 100% |
Modified: 6/20/25