Academic Staff Directory

CHIKA CHRISTIANA NWANKWO (Ph.D)

Dr. Mrs. Chika Christiana Nwankwo is a Lecturer in the School of Science Laboratory Technology, of the University. She obtained her Higher National Diploma (HND) in Biology/Microbiology with Upper Credit from the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, a Post Graduate Diploma and a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Biology from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) in 2007 and 2009 respectively. She has a Ph.D  in Environmental Microbiology of University of Port Harcourt 
Dr. Mrs. Chika. C. Nwankwo has supervised over 20 B.Tech projects. She has attended and presented several papers in conferences both locally and internationally  and attended workshops such as Phylogenic Construction, IITA, Ibadan and the 14th UNAAB Biotechnology Summer course on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in Abeokuta. 
She  is a member of the Nigerian Society for Microbiology(NSM), Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology(NISLT) and American Society for Microbiology (ASM). She is a member of the University Degree Result Verification Committee, Time Table Officer for School of Science Laboratory Technology (Regular Programme), Welfare Officer of the School of Science Laboratory Technology, an Invigilator of the University’s School of Basic Studies Examination, Course Adviser to Years 1,2, 3 students of Microbiology Technology programme.
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Mobile: 2348033384882  

Research Area
•    Molecular Ecobiology of Crude oil-polluted mangrove swamps of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria
•    Environmental pollution and Bioremediation of hydrocarbon polluted areas

Contribution to knowledge
Based on available information, there has not been any documented study in molecular ecobiology of crude-oil polluted mangrove swamps of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Dr. Mrs. C. C. Nwankwo carried out a detailed study for the first time on microbial diversity in Niger Delta Mangrove swamps using Next Generation Sequences (NGS).The study was able to isolate and molecularly characterize an entirely novel bacterial species that have the potential of degrading hydrocarbons and their dominance in mangrove swamps of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The strength of interactions that exist between hydrocarbon degrading bacteria and physicochemical, heavy metal and soil structures as well as interactions among microorganisms in the mangrove swamps of the Niger Delta was also established in the study. It was also established that the age of crude oil spill is very important and should be taken into consideration in achieving bioremediation successes. Thus, Dr. Mrs. C. C. Nwankwo has opened new frontiers into bioremediation of hydrocarbon polluted mangrove swamps in the sub-Sahara African region.