Department of Biochemistry

Professor Felix U. Igwe

The Current Head of Department

Biochemistry

The Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science was established in 2016 to train high level manpower and promote general and practical educational pursuit in Biochemical Sciences.

Activities in the Department commenced with the appointment of Prof I.F. Oruambo as the pioneer Head of Department, on 9^th March 2016. The Department was set up to run undergraduate and postgraduate programmes leading to the award of Bachelor of Science (BSc.), Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Biochemistry and related disciplines.

Academic activities commenced in the 2016/2017 academic session with admission of the first set of undergraduate students. In 2017, the NUC Resource Verification Team visited the Department and approved its establishment to run degree programmes designed to expose students to various areas of specialization in Biochemistry such as Molecular Biology, Environmental Biochemistry, Nutrition, Toxicology, Enzymology, Industrial Biochemistry, Clinical/Medical Biochemistry, etc. Thus the knowledge of Biochemistry is uniquely and strategically positioned to play vital role in emerging fields of studies, such as Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics, Eco-toxicology, Human and Animal Toxicology, Medicine, Pharmacology and Biotechnology/Genetic Engineering which address human and environmental challenges. The Department also offers service courses in Biochemistry to other Departments in the University.

Staff list in the Department

Name	Rank	Area Of Specialisation	Email
Prof. I.F. Oruambo	Professor	Molecular Biochemistry& Environmental Toxicology	ibibaforuambo@yahoo.com
Prof. F.U. Igwe	Professor & HOD	Environmental Biochemistry & Toxicology	igwe.felix@ust.edu.ng
Dr. N. Nwachoko	Senior Lecturer	Nutrition & Toxicology	nwaochoko.ndidi@ust,edu,ng
Dr. A. Dokubo	Lecturer l	Medical Biochemistry& Enzymology	dokubo.awolayeofori@ust,edu,ng
Dr.T. Odinga	Lecturer l	Environmental Biochemistry& Toxicology	bomaodinga@gmail.com
Dr. U.B. Akuru	Lecturer ll	Nutrition & Toxicology	udiomine.akuru@ust,edu,ng
Ms M. Jamabo	Lecturer ll	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology	miebakajamabo@yahoo.com
Ms F.N. Okwakpam	Lecturer ll	Enzymology	feliciaokwakpam@yahoo.com
Mr. C. O. Nwaokezi	Lecturer ll	Environmental Biochemistry & Toxicology	juchryson@rocketmail.com
Mrs W.Nda- Wonodi	Assistant Lecturer	Nutrition and Toxicology	woromawonodi@gmail.com
Ms D.A. George	Graduate Assistant	Environmental Biochemistry	damieteg@gmail.com
Mr. V.D. Nkomadu	Graduate Assistant	Enzymology	valnkoms@yahoo.com
Mr. G. A. Obediah.	Senior Technologist	Biochemistry	appolus.gogo@ust,edu,ng
Mr. G. J. Tetam	Technologist I	Biochemistry	jack.tetam@ust,edu,ng
Mrs P.P. Ndu	Technologist II	Biochemistry	triciasnipes24@gmail.com
Mrs. E. Ikpe	Principal Executive Officer	Law
Mrs. N. Briggs	Principal Executive Officer	Public Administration
Mr. S. Ama- Chinda	Administrative Officer II	Management	sama.chinda@yahoo.com
Mrs. F. Chituru- Wike	Administrative Officer II	French	splendo080355@gmail.com
Ms. N. Nyebuchi	Administrative Officer II	Management	nyenancy219@gmail.com

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To provide a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning of Biochemical Sciences
To Conduct qualitative and impactful research in Biochemical Sciences and other related disciplines
To produce innovative Professional Biochemists with requisite skills to create positive impact on the society and mankind

STRUCTURE OF THE UNIT

Organizational Structure (Organogram)

Dean of Faculty

HOD

Academic Staff

Chief Laboratory Technologist

Administrative Staff

Technologists / Lab Assistants

Students

The Department has Academic Staff, Technical Staff and Administrative Staff with an expanding population of over eight hundred (800) students. The staffs are committed to providing quality services to students and the academic community at all times.

The Head of Department (HOD) superintends over all academic activities and general administration of the Department. Decision making process in the Department occurs at two levels; The Departmental Board and The Departmental Board of Examiners.

The Departmental Board, made up of all Senior Staff in the Department, meets monthly to deliberate on issues of general interest to the Department. The Departmental Board of Examiners, made up of all academic staff from the rank of Assistant Lecturer and above, meets at least once in a semester or when the need arises to consider students results or other academic matters affecting students.

To facilitate the activities of these Boards, members are appointed into standing and ad-hoc committees and assigned specific duties and timelines. Examples of these committees include; Quality Assurance, Research and Publications, Welfare, Examination, Disciplinary, Environmental, etc. Also, lecturers are appointed as Exam Officer, Timetable Officer, Seminar Coordinator, Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Coordinator, etc to oversee designated activities on regular basis.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAMMES

The primary philosophy of the department is to produce and equip our graduands with the required knowledge and skills in Animal Production by providing them with relevant education in Animal Agriculture as applied to all stages and phases of production and distribution of both macro- and micro-livestock and their products. Additionally, our philosophy is driven-based on the vision of promoting intensive theoretical and practical (on farm and laboratory) training in sustainable livestock production. This is achievable through the mission of promoting innovative and industry driven, collaborative and sustainable research in the basic aspects of Animal Science using the approved curriculum with strong emphasis on professional standards. The ultimate goal being to produce skilled professional manpower well-equipped with comprehensive knowledge to produce the different livestock species relevant to the national and global animal production industry.

OBJECTIVE

Produce Biochemists who can independently initiate and carry-out original researches in Biochemistry and related subjects.
Fill man-power needs in science and technology-based global and national economies in biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Produce professionals who can skillfully apply scientific methods to solve practical problems in the field, industry, laboratory or healthcare facilities.