Dr. Chinyere Ulekwu Okoro

MBBS (Sydney), FRACS (Paediatric Surgery)

Dr Okoro, Chinyere Ulekwu started her career as a graduate Science teacher with the Cross River State School system, Nigeria from January, 1991 to April, 2003. She later transferred to Abia State School Management Board by April, 2003 where she worked till September, 2008. Her quest for academic excellence caused her to pursue her Masters and PhD degrees in Food and Industrial Microbiology. With these higher qualifications, she secured a lecturing job with the University of Calabar from Sept 2008 till date. Her teaching and research interests are in the areas of food processing and preservation through fermentation processes, Industrial Microbiology and food safety. Her education started with obtaining the First School Leaving Certificate in 1974, West African School Certificate 1979, General Certificate of Education 1980, Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1986. Other higher qualifications include Post Graduate Diploma in Microbiology, 2000, Master of Science in Food/Industrial Microbiology (2006) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Food/Industrial Microbiology, 2016. A Grant/financial assistance was approved for her by the Abia State Government to enable her pursue her PhD research. She teaches courses in Microbiology and Food Science & Technology Departments including Introduction to Food Science & Technology, Food Microbiology, Advanced Industrial Microbiology, Food Fermentation Processes, Milk and dairy products etc, etc. She teaches and mentors graduate students in her field of specialty. Dr Okoro, C.U. has attended several academic conferences. She was one of the local organizers of "CALABAR 2015": A South East Regional Food Summit/Workshop & 26th Induction Ceremony of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science & Technology. The theme of the conference was "Development and Promotion of Pre-packaged Food Industrial Clusters: Challenges and Opportunities" on Thursday, 4th - Saturday, 6th June, 2015. Her science activities include engagement in research, science practicals and writing of scientific publications. The following research projects are to her credit: 1. The okra-effect of okra varieties: A B.Sc. Thesis in Food Science & Tech at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, June 1986. 2. Microbiological and biochemical changes occurring during the fermentation of laboratory prepared chicken and beef sausages. An M.Sc. thesis at University of Calabar, August 2006. 3. Microbial bioprocessing and physicochemical studies of select fresh meat and locally processed meat samples. A Ph.D thesis at the University of Calabar, November 2016. She belongs to the following professional associations: • Member Nigerian Society of Microbiology. • Professional member, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (No: 15/11901/M). She has published 15 papers and is still publishing. .