Tonia Awoniyi
About Tonia Awoniyi
Tonia Awoniyi serves as the Director of the NIH Ethics Office at the National Institutes of Health since 2021. She has a background in law and management information systems, with previous roles at the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and the United States House of Representatives.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Tonia Awoniyi has served as the Director of the NIH Ethics Office since 2021. In this role, she oversees ethical standards and practices within the National Institutes of Health, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and promoting ethical conduct among NIH employees. Her leadership contributes to the integrity of research and public trust in the NIH's mission.
Previous Experience in Ethics
Before her current position, Tonia Awoniyi worked at the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics as the Director of Advice and Education from 2014 to 2021. In this capacity, she provided guidance on ethical issues and developed educational programs for members of Congress and their staff. Additionally, she served as Counsel for the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2010, where she advised on legal matters related to legislative ethics.
Education and Expertise
Tonia Awoniyi holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, which she completed from 1999 to 2002. She also studied Management Information Systems at the University of Baltimore for one year in 2002-2003. Earlier, she earned her undergraduate degree from Morgan State University, attending from 1994 to 1998. Her educational background equips her with a strong foundation in law and management.
Professional Background
Tonia Awoniyi's professional background includes significant experience in legal and ethical advisory roles. Her tenure at the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and as Counsel for the United States House of Representatives highlights her expertise in legislative ethics. This experience informs her current responsibilities at the NIH, where she applies her knowledge to foster ethical practices in biomedical research.