TITLE (PROF/DR/): PROF

NAME: FRANCISCA OBIAGERI NWAOKORIE

POSITION: PROFESSOR   SPECIALISATION: Anaerobic Infection Diagnosis and   Microbiomics, Oral Microbiology, Microbial Genetics, Laboratory Quality and Management             

EDUCATION/TRAINING (Begin with Bachelor’s degree or other initial professional education, such as nursing, include postdoctoral training and residency training if applicable. Add/delete rows as necessary.)

INSTITUTION AND LOCATION	DEGREE (if applicable)	Completion Date MM/YYYY	FIELD OF STUDY
Federal Polytechnique Bauchi, Bauchi State	HND	10/199	Microbiology
Med. Lab. Sci. Council Nigeria, School of Medical	AMLSCN	11/ 95	Microbiology
Laboratory Sciences, LUTH, Lagos Nigeria
Med. Lab. Sci. Council Nigeria, School of Medical	FMLSCN	05/00	Bacteriology
Laboratory Sciences, LUTH, Lagos Nigeria
Imo State University Owerri, Nigeria	MBA	11/02	Management
University of Lagos, Nigeria	M. Sc.	06/03	Med Micro & Para
University of Lagos, Nigeria	Ph.D.	01/09	Med Microbiology

 Personal Statement

I am a Professor of Anaerobic Infection Diagnosis and Microbiomics. My passion is to advance laboratory diagnosis to ensure good healthcare delivery through anaerobic infection diagnosis and human microbiome using innovative computational and molecular biology. I am utilizing this to explore the gut microbiome in oral and neurodegerative diseases while  promoting compliance to local and international regulatory standards on laboratory quality management, development, commercialization and use of innovative in vitro diagnostic medical devices. My career part is designed to constantly seek to bridge scientific research with one health global impact- collaborating with experts and industries to empower youths, young scientists and integrate with local communities through innovation and advocacy. My goal is to eventually translate research prototypes into scalable products and training models that address Africa’s challenges in medical laboratory diagnosis, youth unemployment, and sustainable development through collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches.

Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honours

1. AFRETEC-UNILAG Innovation-in-Health Challenge Project Team  2025
2. Secretary and member;Women Advisory Board, Innovative Rapid Enabling, Affordable, point-of-Care HPV self-testing strategy (I-REACH) programme March, 2025

• Trainer/Assessor/LaboratoryAuditor, WHO-AFRO SLMTA/SLIPTA Programme in Nigeria/CDC- Lagos State Ministry of Health (2023); AIDS Preventive Initiative (APIN) 2012-Date

1. Member,Board of Advisors. Daedalus Health Information Systems Inc. USA,          2019-Date.
2. Vice President, LUTH/CMUL/UNILAG Chapter, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria (AMLSN)- 2021- 2024
3. Member, Board of Fellows, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (FAMLSN) 2022-Date)

• Site Investigator, Lead-Biorepository Team: PPMI CMUL, 2021-Date
• Co-Investigator, Lead Microbiome Team NIHR-TraPCAf, 2021-Date.

1. Co-Investigator, Lead Microbiome Team; NIH IRABL RO1 Study 2024
2. Editor Board member, mBio Americaln Society for Microbiology (ASM) 2024

Selected Most Recent Publications  /Contributions to Knowledge (five (5) maximum)

1. Nwaozuru, U., Obiezu-Umeh, C., Uzodufa, S.A. Salako, Akinsolu,F. T.,  Ezechi, O. C., Gbajabiamila, T., Nwaokorie F.O., Alade, O. T.,  Eleje, G. U., Lusher J.,  Foláyan M.O. (2025). Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of oral cancer in Nigeria. BMC Oral Health 25, 414 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05724-w
2. Nnawuihe, U.C., Ehizele, A.O., Afolabi, A.O. NwaokorieO.,Joanne Lusher,  Folahanmi Tomiwa Akinsolu,   Abideen Olurotimi Salako, Oliver Chukwujekwu Ezechi &  Moréniké Oluwátóyìn Foláyan (2025). Risk indicators for dental caries among preschoolers, school children/adolescents and adults in Nigeria: a scoping review. BMC Oral Health 25, 281 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-05668-1.
3. Nwaokorie FO., Abdalla, .M, Edet UO., Abdalla AME.,  Ekomobong A, , Shami A,, Bassey IU, Tayeb FJ , Destiny E. Charlie DE.,  David  BO,  Hajedri NA, Archibong  PC, Akinboboye BO., Alaribe  SC. (2024). In-silicoassessment of bioactive compounds from the chewing stick (Salvadora persica) against N-acetylneuraminate lyase (5ZKA) of Fusobacterium nucleatum involved in salicylic acid metabolism. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1316: 138733.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.138733.
4. Nwaokorie FO.,Edet UO, Odeniyi OM, Ndu UC, Alabi O, Umeizudike KA. In vitro antimicrobial activity of selected mouthwashes on Streptococcus species isolated from adult patients with dental caries. Babcock Univ. Med. J.2024 7(2): https://doi.org/10.38029/babcockuniv.med.j..v7i2.
5. Nwaokorie FO.Akinboboye BO.  Akeredolua, PA, Dania A. (2024). Effect of Denture On Oral Microbiome Diversity of Denture-Wearing Older Adult. Nigerian Journal of Dental Research. Nig J Dent Res 2024; 9(2): 53-62. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njdr.v9i2.2.
6. Akase IE, Agabi OP, Ojo OO, Anyanwu RA, Awodumila S, Ayilara S, Ede OJ, Ghajiga P, Kalejaiye O, Nwanmah C, Nwaokorie F,Ogbenna A, Olajide M, Perez-Giraldo GS, Orban ZS, Jimenez M, Koralnik IJ, Okubadejo NU.  (2024).A systematic analysis of neurologic manifestations of Long COVID in Nigeria. J Neurovirol. doi: 10.1007/s13365-024-01232-9.
7. Eleje, G.U., Okoh, E.E., Igbodike, E.P., Akinsolu, FT., Nwaokorie, F. O.,Lusher, J.M., Tantawi, M. E., Salako, A. O.,Ezechi, O. C., Foláyan, M.O. (2024). Prevalence and associated risk factors for noma in Nigerian children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health 24, 685 92024) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-024-04451-y
8. Ehizele, A.O., Adebayo, E.T., Adewole, I.E., Abodunrin, O.R., Akinsolu, F.T., Nwaokorie, F., Alade, O.T., Salako, A.O., Lusher, J., Ezechi, O.C., Foláyan M.O. (2024), Prevalence of Dental Caries Among 6–11-Year-Olds in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Oral  4, 600–615.https://doi.org/10.3390/oral4040047.
9. Nwaokorie, F.O,Edet, U.O., Akaninyene, P.J., Kanki, P. and Ogunsola, F.T, (2023). Prediction of functional proteins associated with the gut microbiome of an adult population in Lagos State, Nigeria. Scientific African 19: e01445 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01445.
10. Walker, R., Fothergill-Misbah, N., Kariuki, S. Ojo, O.,  Cilia, R., Dekker, M. C. J.,  Agabi, O., Akpalu, A.,  Amod, F.,  Breckons, M.,  Cham, M.,  Del Din.,  Dotchin, C.,  Guggsa, S.,  Kwasa, J.,  Mushi, D.,  Nwaokorie, F. O., Park, T.,  Rochester, L.,  Rogathi, J.,  Sarfo, F. S.,  Shalash, A., Ternent, L.,  Urasa, S., Okubadejo, N. (2023) Transforming Parkinson’s Care in Africa (TraPCAf): protocol for a multimethodology National Institute for Health and Care Research Global Health Research Group project. BMC Neurol 23, 373 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-023-03414-0.

Collaborators/ Networks International inclusive

1. Rose Gidado, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja
2. Prof Walker Richard, NewCastle University, USA

• Prof Rufus Akinyemi, University of, Ibadan

1. Paulinus Offutalu, Laboratory Manager,Public Health In- Vitro Diagnostics (IVD), Laboratory, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria.
2. Director, Training Services; Standard Organization of NigeriaNigeria