Dr. Okonkwo Chibuzor Onyinye

MBBS (Sydney), FRACS (Paediatric Surgery)

Dr. Okonkwo Chibuzor Onyinye holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) where she graduated with a Second Class Upper Division in 2007. She proceeded to the University of PortHarcout, Chioba Rivers State for her MSc degree in Medical Biochemistry after the Mandatory NYSC in 2008 and graduated with a Distinction in 2012. She obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Biochemistry with Distinction from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State Nigeria in 2018. She started her career as an Academic at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike as an Assistant Lecturer in October 2012. She later joined the University of Calabar where she is currently a Lecturer II in the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences. Her goal is to groom a team of Students who will be well-grounded in their Subject area, morally upright, and able to bring solutions to the economic problems in society through Teaching and Research. She has held several positions of responsibility at MOUAU and UNICAL. She has served as Academic Advisor to students, Assistant Examination Officer, Faculty Representative, member of departmental Accreditation sub-committee, member departmental Research Committee, member vetting of Departmental Practical Handbook, member Departmental and Faculty Academic Boards, Coordinator Biochemistry practicals among others. She is very dedicated, hardworking, and result-oriented. Dr. Okonkwo has over 20 scientific publications in reputable academic journals. Her research interests are in the area of integrated pest management, particularly the development of biopesticides of botanical origin for the management of insect pests and vectors. Her goal is to produce insecticidal oils of botanical origin that could replace the more toxic synthetic pesticides currently in use, so that the environment, wildlife, and humans are protected from these harsh chemicals. She is also interested in Molecular Biology, Plant Biochemistry (especially plants with medicinal and insecticidal potentials), Nutritional Biochemistry, and toxicology. She has worked with several plants and identified potential insecticidal compounds through molecular studies. Recently, she is working on the effect of some insecticidal plant extracts on the gene polymorphism of selected insects using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR). She is happily married with four children. .