About
Academic and researcher whose work focuses on biotechnology, microbiology, and environmental sustainability. Her research addresses microbial processes and environmental management in developing contexts.
Biography
Professor Chioma Blaise Chikere is a distinguished Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology and the Head of the Department of Microbiology at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, as well as a Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Internationally recognized for her pioneering research in bioremediation, microbial ecology, and environmental sustainability, she has authored over 60 journal articles and more than 70 conference publications, contributing significantly to scientific advancement and sustainable development globally. She earned the prestigious Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) PhD Fellowship and completed her split-site doctorate at the Universities of Port Harcourt and Pretoria, with her doctoral thesis receiving the National Universities Commission Award for the Best Doctoral Thesis in Biological Sciences in Nigeria. Professor Chikere has received numerous international awards and research grants, including the TWAS-UNESCO Associateship and the Elsevier Foundation Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge Prize. Passionate about mentorship and empowering future scientists, she has successfully supported several PhD fellows and continues to advocate for gender equity and research excellence across Africa. Her collaborations with leading institutions worldwide, including the University of Glasgow, Auburn University at Montgomery, and Cape Peninsula University of Technology, align strongly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, advancing impactful research, innovation, and environmental sustainability on a global scale.