Prof Chioma Blaise Chikere is a Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology in the Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where she was employed in 2005 as an Assistant Lecturer.
She is also the Director, Entrepreneurial Centre, University of Port Harcourt. Prof. Chikere received 2005 Organization of Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) PhD Fellowship for split-site programme at the Universities of Port Harcourt and Pretoria, in Nigeria and South Africa respectively. She has published widely with over 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 60 local and international conference papers presented and 9 articles in conference proceedings.
Her Ph.D. Thesis entitled ‘Bacterial Diversity and Community Dynamics during the Bioremediation of Crude Oil- Polluted soil’ was awarded by National Universities Commission (NUC) Nigeria the ‘BEST DOCTORAL THESIS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES’ for 2010. Other awards and honours to her credit are: International Foundation of Science (IFS) Sweden research grants in 2007 and 2012; University of Port Harcourt 2015 distinguished merit award for diligent and meritorious; 2016 TWAS-UNESCO Associateship (June 2016-Dec. 2020) to Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA); the Elsevier Foundation (EF) 2017 Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge 2nd prize; Applied Microbiology International (AMI formerly SfAM) conference abstract scholarship travel grants; Academic Associate appointment by UNISA (2021-2024); TCC-Africa 2021 trainee; 2022 SciDev.Net 20 % women in climate action research in the global South; 2022 Sense about Science (UK) global risk practitioner HERS-SA Academy 2021 Alumna and Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings Advisory Board member.
Her professional membership spans notable national and international scientific organizations with active involvement and roles such as Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Africa (2022 – 2024), council member and recently senior country Ambassador, International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) (2022 – 2026). Professor Chikere is happily married to Dr. Blaise Ositadinma Chikere and they are blessed with 4 amazing children.