Dr
Ifeoma Nancy
Nzelu
Dr. Ifeoma Nancy Nzelu is a veterinarian with interest in public health and food safety. She had her first, second and third degrees from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. Currently, she is a faculty with Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (formerly Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi), Nigeria, where she teaches and mentors undergraduates and postgraduates in the field of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Dr. Nzelu has received several awards and research grants including Biology Week Outreach and Engagement grant (2019) awarded by the Royal Society of Biology, Commonwealth Scholarship awarded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (2016), etc. Dr Nzelu has published several scientific papers in reputable journals and attended several scientific and non-scientific conferences and workshops, locally and internationally. Aside from Veterinary Medicine, Dr Nzelu has other professional certifications such as Project Management in Global Health (University of Washington, USA), International Computer Driving License, Bioinformatics for Genomic Medicine, etc. Dr. Nzelu is a member of the Royal Society of Biology and Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association. To her peers and acquaintances, she is commonly known by her middle name, Nancy. She is known to be amiable, thoughtful, proactive and progressive with a positive attitude towards life. She is married and has three children. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, listening to music and a happy hour with friends and family.
- application of parasite genomics in disease investigation and in the development of vaccine for preventive purposes
-- food safety
-- molecular epidemiology of neglected tropical diseases
--veterinary vaccinology
1. Epidemiological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in various food animals, and human populations in Benue State, Nigeria. This research will be extended to other states of the country and understudy the infection in wild animals. I came up with the research design of this study for my PhD having done an extensive literature review. I was able to use different methodologies to solve my research questions and arrive at the conclusions that have contributed to scientific knowledge (see abstract of PhD thesis attached). Methodologies used in the study included serology, questionnaire survey, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), quantitative-PCR (qPCR), phylogenetic analysis, sequence and network analysis. From the research, I have produced two conference papers, published two papers, while I am writing up two other papers. Moving forward, I'd like to investigate the genetic diversity of T. gondii in other animal populations (including wild animals and humans) throughout the country. Benue state is just one of Nigeria's 37 administrative territories. Knowing the parasite's genotype and strain will answer the question of virulence of isolates found in the country, and thus whether health authorities in the country should be concerned about Toxoplasmosis.
2. Schistosomiasis among people living in riverine areas and its associated risk factors in Benue State, Nigeria: I am working with a team of students on this study. Objectives of this study include to access the prevalence of intestinal and urogenital schistosomiasis, female genital schistosomiasis and conduct molecular characterization of the incriminating Schistosoma species in Benue state and determine whether there are hybridization of species that contribute to zoonotic schistosomiasis in the state. Also I am interested in understanding the genomics of Schistosoma and how it causes disease. In the future, I hope to extend the research to other parts of the country that are endemic for schistosomiasis.
3. Soil transmitted/Helminth Infections of zoonotic importance : My team and I are understudying some riverine communities in Benue State to assess the prevalence of soil transmitted/zoonotic helminth infections in these populations and the risk factors that may be associated with the infections. Going further, we hope to recommend to the appropriate authorities so that appropriate interventions can be instituted to reduce the prevalence. We have concluded studies in some communities and have provided interventions with collaborations with other partners. Reports of these studies will soon be published