Dr Tom Otieno: Meet Siaya-Born Chemist Who Rose To Become Dean At US University, Classroom Named After Him
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Dr Tom Otieno has spent more than 30 years building an impressive academic career in the United States.
He currently serves as the Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).
His work is to oversee the university’s academic programmes, which range from agriculture and computer science to engineering, mathematics and chemistry.
On September 30, 2026, the university named a classroom after him. They were recognising his contributions to scientific research and the education of generations of students.
Dr Tom Otieno’s Background and Education
Dr Tom Otieno was born and raised in Ugenya Kager, Siaya County. He attended the University of Nairobi, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
He graduated in 1986 with First Class Honours.
After graduating, he moved to Canada, enrolling at the University of British Columbia to pursue a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Inorganic Chemistry.
After completing his PhD, Otieno proceeded to Southwest Texas State University in the United States for a postdoctoral research fellowship.
From Chemistry Professor to University Dean
Dr Otieno joined Eastern Kentucky University in 1995 as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry.
He swiftly rose through the university’s academic ranks to attain full professorship in a span of just eight years.
Otieno then assumed several administrative positions, including Coordinator of the Graduate Programme in Chemistry, Assistant Dean and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Interim Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
In April 2016, he was appointed Kentucky University’s Interim Dean of the College of Science.
Announcing the appointment, then-university President Dr Michael Benson praised his experience.
“He (Dr Otieno) brings notable expertise in the areas of faculty development, research and grant funding,” Benson said.
Otieno subsequently became the founding dean of the College of Science and later the inaugural dean of the College of STEM.
He heads seven academic departments, including Engineering and Technology, Computer Science and Information Technology, and Chemistry and Forensic Science.
Dr Otieno’s Scientific Research and $1.5 Million Project
Aside from his administration duties, Dr Otieno has built his research career around inorganic chemistry.
He has specialised in the synthesis and characterisation of metal-containing compounds.
His research seeks to examine how chemical structures influence the physical and chemical properties of materials.
He has published scientific papers in various journals such as Inorganic Chemistry, Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, and Acta Crystallographica.
In one of his research projects proects, he received a $1.5 million grant from the US National Science Foundation.
Otieno has publicly advocated for improved access to STEM education, scholarships and practical learning opportunities.
“Investing in scholarships means investing in the potential of our students to become leaders in STEM disciplines,” he said in one of his publications.
According to him, scholarships allow students to concentrate on their academic work rather than struggling to meet basic financial needs.
Appointment to Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation
On July 1, 2023, Dr Otieno was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC).
The nonprofit organisation promotes scientific innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development in Kentucky.
Away from his university responsibilities, Otieno is married to Dr Iddah Otieno.
Dr Iddah is also an educator who works at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky.
The couple has been blessed with three children: Ephraim Ochieng’ Otieno, Christopher Otieno, and Rebecca Otieno.
Their daughter, Rebecca, works at Churchill Downs, Home of America’s Famous Kentucky Derby
