Professor Ernest Bassey Etta Asikong holds; B.Sc, M.Sc and Ph.D in Microbiology with specific bias in Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology. He was Acting Head of the Department of Microbiology, University of Calabar. He is target oriented, focused, articulate, reliable, trustworthy, astute, resourceful, innovative and highly imaginative in thoughts. He is also a team player, emotionally and physically stable and completes task on schedule. He has held several positions within and outside the University including Examination Officer, Academic Adviser, Member Examination malpractice committees, Faculty Member, coordination of Pre-Degree Biology etc. He is one time Chairman Nigerian Environmental Society-NES Cross River State Chapter. He successfully hosted the Annual General Meeting-AGM and Conference during his tenure as chairman. He was appointed Deputy Editor in Chief Journal of Nigerian Environmental Society JNES. He also belongs to several other professional groups. He has won several awards including best science teacher, NYSC state award, best staff-students relationship award, Award of Excellence etc. He has published widely in local and international scientific Journals. He has written several scholarly books including Introduction to Environmental Microbiology, Pollution and waste Management. He is also an Environmental consultant, especially on Environmental Impact Assessment-EIA and Bioremediation. His Ph.D Thesis on “Biogas generation from Water hyacinth, Cassava Peels, Poultry Droppings and Cow-dung in Cross River State, Nigeria” is a scholarly research contribution to knowledge and Science and has won Science and Technology Education Post Basic-Innovators of Tomorrow STEP-B- IOT Award and Cross River State grant. Dr Asikong is a Christian, proudly married to Mrs Margaret E. Asikong, and are blessed with children, Emmanuella, Favour and Divine. [2] EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED WITH DATES  University of Calabar, Calabar - 2005-2011  University of Calabar, Calabar - 1991-1995  University of Calabar, Calabar - 1982-1986  Agbo Comprehensive Secondary School, Egboronyi, Abi LGA - 1975-1980  Govt. Pri. Sch. Itigidi and St Bens. Pri. Sch. Agbara, Ekureku, Abi LGA. 1970-1975. [ 3] ACADEMIC/ PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS  Ph.D Environmental Microbiology& Biotechnology - 2011  M.Sc (Hons) Microbiology - 1995  B.Sc (Hons) Microbiology (Second Class Upper) - 1986  WASC - 1980  First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) Distinction - 1975 [4] EMPLOYMENT AND WORKING EXPERIENCE;  Former Acting Head of Department, Microbiology Department, University of Calabar, Calabar 2012-2014  Federal University Lafia, Nassarawa State, on Sabbatical Leave 2015-2016  University of Calabar, as Lecturer Currently as Professor 1993-date  UNICEF Assisted Water & Environmental Sanitation Project (WATSAN), (now RUWATSSA) Laboratory), as Principal, Microbiologist, Water Quality & Environmental Analyst - 1992  Post Primary School Management Board, CRS As Principal Master (III) Biology (Grade Level 13) - 1988-1992  General Hospital, Wukari, Taraba State As Microbiologist – NYSC - 1986-1987 [5] SCHOLARSHIPS AND PRIZES: (List scholarships and prizes won prior to and during University Teaching career) (i) The only Microbiology student with Second Class (Hons) Upper division in 1986 graduating class. (ii) Supervisor of 2nd prize student winning project at Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) National Conference/ science exhibition competitions in 1988 and 1989 at Ibadan and Minna, respectively. (iii) Promotion on merit to grade level 09 by Cross River State Government in 1989 from 08 within one year due to (iii) above. (iv) Federal Government Scholarship Award for Master of Science M.Sc. programme 1990/91. (v) Federal Government Scholarship Award for Master of Science M.Sc. programme. 1991/1992. [6] HONOURS AND DISTINCTIONS. i) First School Leaving Certificate- Distinction ii). Gold Award as Best lecturer on student/lecturer relationship by 2005 graduating class of Microbiology Department, University of Calabar, Calabar iii). Award of Excellence by National Association of Microbiology Students (NAMS) University of Calabar Chapter. 2012 iv). Award of Honour by National Association of Science Students (NASS), Faculty of Science, 2013. v) Award of Honour by Students Union Government (SUG), University of Calabar, Friday 11th April, 2014. vi) Award of Honour by Students Union Government (SUG), University of Calabar, 19th June, 2015 vii) Award of Honour by National Association of Microbiology Students (NAMS) University of Calabar Chapter. 2016. viii) Best graduating microbiology student in 1986 graduating class (only student with second class (Hons.) Upper Division). ix) Best science teacher, Cross River State 1989.