Dr
Chukwu Emelda Eberechukwu
Biographical Info
Biographical Info:
Dr. Emelda Chukwu, Senior Research Fellow
Head, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research
Dr. Chukwu is a seasoned Medical Microbiologist and Senior Research scientist with over a decades’ experience conducting research on Infectious Diseases epidemiology and genetic basis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). She has made substantial contributions to understanding microbial diversity, distribution, and transmission dynamics of AMR through a One-Health approach. She is the principal investigator and team lead of the AMR research group of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) comprising of multidisciplinary team of researchers seeking ways to mitigate the evolution and spread of AMR. She is currently involved in the national mass administration of Azithromycin to children under the age of five in Nigeria (SARMAAN project) as the AMR lead/ Co-Investigator with a goal to improve childhood survival indices.
She is an adjunct Senior lecturer at the Trinity University, Sabo, Yaba where she has impacted knowledge and skills on the undergraduate students of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department with graduate and postgraduate supervision. She has convened and facilitated capacity development trainings for One-health professionals including Biomedical Scientists, Doctors, Pharmacists and Researchers on Microbiology techniques, AMR detection and antimicrobial stewardship strategies.
Her extensive work on infectious Diseases and AMR has resulted in numerous publications, international recognitions and awards including Nobert Elias fellowship (Germany), Institut Merieux young investigator award, Fleming fund certified AMR surveillance professional designation and selection as an Africa Academy of Science Affiliate Fellow for her significant contribution in tackling the problem of AMR through surveillance, improving antimicrobial stewardship and developing innovative tools to track antibiotic use.
Discipline:
Medical Microbiology
Area Of Specialization:
BIOLOGICAL &HEALTH SCIENCES
Institution:
Nigerian Institute of Medical Research
Research interest:
My research focuses on infectious disease epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with a particular emphasis on surveillance, education, and antimicrobial stewardship. My early work explored anaerobic bacteriology, elucidating its role in human infections and identifying diagnostic genetic markers. Currently, my research is centered on addressing the growing threat of AMR in Nigeria. I have contributed to generating baseline data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding AMR among both the general population and healthcare providers. These studies highlighted the need for context-specific strategies and provided epidemiological insights critical for shaping policies to mitigate the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens. As part of AMR surveillance efforts, we conducted a laboratory-based study in Lagos State across four sentinel sites, revealing high resistance levels to third-generation cephalosporins. This work demonstrated the potential of isolate collection in tracking resistance trends, a crucial approach in resource-limited settings with inadequate AMR monitoring infrastructure. My research findings have informed antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) workshops for clinicians and pharmacists on the rational use of antibiotics and campaigns promoting ASP implementation in healthcare facilities, supporting the development of facility-specific antibiograms to guide empirical treatment and curb AMR spread.
My One Health research extends to environmental AMR surveillance including the monitoring of wastewater canals as a means of tracking SARS-CoV-2 and other public health threats. This study facilitated community surveillance of COVID-19 trends and led to a policy advisory on Vibrio cholerae O1 detection in Lagos State, signaling an impending cholera outbreak. Overall, my work integrates epidemiological research, policy engagement, and intervention strategies to combat infectious diseases and AMR in Nigeria.
Awards:
• NIMR Director- General’s young researchers contest award. 14th November 2019
• 2019,2020,2021 & 2024 Departmental Staff of the year award- Microbiology department, NIMR
• 2019, NIH Fogarty Emory-Nigeria Research Mentoring Training Program (EN-RTP) award (medium term)
• 2020-2022, NIH Fogarty Emory-Nigeria Research Training Program (EN-RTP), Mentored Research award (Long-term trainee- 2years).
• 2023-2024, Elected Trainee International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) Science Advice Skill Development Program (SASDP) 2023- Cohort 2 (6 months)
• Institut Mérieux Young Investigator Award laureate 2020 - “Fighting against Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and improving Antibiotic stewardship”. Awarded in October 2020
• Best Abstract presenter at the International Conference on Health Advancement, Innovation and Research (iCHAIR) 2022
• Selected as Africa Academy of Science Affiliate member 2022-2026
• Inducted into the Nigeria Young Academy (NYA) 2024-2028
Roles/Contributions:
• Editorial Board Member/ Reviewer: Nigerian Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research (NJCBR) August 2019 till date.
• Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning- Appointed as Member 2020 Technical working group for the preparation of Medium-term National development Plan (MTNDP) 2021-2025, 2026-2030 and Nigeria Agenda 2050. Thematic area- Digital Economy, Bio-economy, Science, technology and Innovation. June 2020-2021
• Chairperson- Bioeconomy subcommittee on the development of Diagnostic report and National development plan for Bio-based economy. June 2020 till date
• Board Member- NIMR Institutional Review Board- January 2021 till date
• Head of Research (HOR), Centre for Infectious Diseases Research – July 2021 till date
• International Chapter President - Graduate Women in Science (GWIS) June 2022 – Till present
• Head of Center- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), Microbiology Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research March 2024 till present.
• Secretary, Nigerian Young Academy (NYA) Publicity Committee
• Member, Nigerian Young Academy (NYA) Fund-raising committee
• Member, Nigerian Young Academy (NYA) Webinar and Workshop committee
Scopus:https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57192203754
Google Scholar:https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ZxJZyIkAAAAJ&hl=en