LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 9, 2025) — The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (UKCOP) proudly announces the promotion of three outstanding faculty members, effective July 1, 2025. Olufunmilola Abraham, Ph.D., and Penni Black, Ph.D., have been promoted to the rank of full professor, and Doug Oyler, PharmD, has been promoted to associate professor. These promotions, approved by the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees, honor each individual’s exemplary achievements in research, teaching and service.
“These promotions are a reflection of the exceptional caliber of our faculty,” said R. Kip Guy, Ph.D., dean of the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. “Drs. Abraham, Black, and Oyler have each demonstrated outstanding dedication to our mission through transformative research, innovative teaching and deep engagement with both the academic and healthcare communities. We are proud to celebrate this well-earned recognition of their contributions.”
Olufunmilola Abraham, Ph.D. Promoted to full professor, Pharmacy Practice & Science
Abraham is chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science and director of the Collaborative Research on MEdication use & family health (CRoME) Lab. Her community-engaged research spans adolescent health, medication safety, cancer education and game-based health interventions. Abraham is a 2024 Early Investigator Advancement Program (EIAP) associate with the National Cancer Institute, a former NIH KL2 Scholar and the 2018 recipient of the American Pharmacists Association’s Wiederholt prize for best published paper in economic, social, and administrative sciences.
She has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications, delivered over 70 scientific presentations, and her work has been cited over 1,400 times. Her research is supported by organizations such as the NIH, American Cancer Society, and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
Penni Black, Ph.D. Promoted to full professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Black serves as assistant dean of professional studies and is recognized for her leadership in oncology research, specifically in understanding resistance to targeted therapies in lung cancer. She has served as principal investigator on projects funded by the American Cancer Society, Kentucky Lung Cancer Research Program, and Joan’s Legacy Foundation.
A dedicated educator, Black has been recognized repeatedly for her excellence in teaching, including multiple Professor of the Year awards and the Michael J. Lach Award for Innovative Teaching Practices. Her commitment to education and curriculum innovation has also been central to her role as assistant dean, where she helps shape the academic experience for future pharmacists and scientists.
Doug Oyler, PharmD Promoted to associate professor, Pharmacy Practice & Science
Oyler is a nationally recognized leader in opioid stewardship and substance use disorder research. He founded UK HealthCare’s Office of Opioid Safety, which received the 2019 Best Practices Award from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Gage Award from America’s Essential Hospitals. His research, which focuses on opioid use, prescriber behavior, and medication safety, has been funded by the NIH, FDA, and U.S. Department of Justice.
He is a contributor to the HEALing Communities Study, a national initiative aimed at reducing opioid overdose deaths. Oyler has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and is frequently engaged in state and national policy efforts to improve opioid prescribing practices.
***
The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy remains committed to fostering faculty excellence in education, research and clinical practice. These promotions highlight the College’s dedication to developing leaders who impact healthcare in the Commonwealth and across the nation.