Department of Biochemistry

Professor Felix U. Igwe

Head of Department

Biochemistry

The Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science was fully established in 2016 to train high level manpower and promote general and practical educational pursuit in Biochemical Sciences. Before 2016, it existed as a Biochemistry Unit in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science established at the inception of Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University) in 1980.

Activities in the Department commenced with the appointment of Professor Ibiba F. Oruambo as the pioneer Head of Department on 9^th March 2016. The Department has full accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and currently runs Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) programmes leading to the award of Bachelor of Science (BSc), Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degrees in Biochemistry and related disciplines. The degree programmes are designed to expose students to various areas of specialization in Biochemistry such as Enzymology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Biochemistry, Nutrition, Toxicology, Industrial Biochemistry, Medical/Clinical Biochemistry, Pharmacological Biochemistry, Forensic Biochemistry, etc. Thus the knowledge of Biochemistry is uniquely and strategically positioned to play vital role in emerging fields such as Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics, Ecotoxicology, Human and Animal Toxicology, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology which addresses human, environmental and industrial challenges in society. The Department also offers service courses in Biochemistry to other Departments and Faculties in the University.

Staff list in the Department

Name	Rank	Area Of Specialisation	Email
Prof. F. U. Igwe	Professor/HOD	Environmental Biochemistry & Toxicolog	igwe.felix@ust.edu.ng
Prof. I. F. Oruambo	Professor	Molecular Biochemistry & Environmental Toxicology	ibibaforuambo@yahoo.com
Prof B. A. Amadi	Professor	Nutritional Biochemistry & Toxicology	achor.amadi@ust.edu.ng
Dr A. Dokubo	Senior Lecturer	Medical Biochemistry & Enzymology	dokubo.awolayeofori@ust.edu.com
Dr N. Nwachoko	Senior Lecturer	Nutritional Biochemistry & Toxicology	nwachoko.ndidi@ust.edu.ng
Dr K.T. Nwauche	Senior Lecturer	Medical/Environmental Biochemistry & Toxicology	kelechi.nwauche@ust.edu.ng
Dr. I. Wopara	Senior Lecturer	Medical Biochemistry/Immunochemistry	iheanyichukwu.wopara@ust.edu.ng
Dr T. Odinga-Israel	Lecturer I	Environmental Biochemistry & Toxicology	tamuno-boma.odinga@ust.edu.ng
Dr F.N. Okwakpam	Lecturer I	Medical Biochemistry & Enzymology	okwakpam.felicia@ust.edu.ng
Dr U.B. Akuru	Lecturer I	Nutritional Biochemistry & Toxicology	udiomine.akuru@ust.edu.ng
Dr C.O. Nwaokezi	Lecturer I	Environmental Biochemistry & Toxicology	juchryson@rocketmail.com
Dr M. Jamabo	Lecturer I	Molecular Biology & Biotechnology	miebaka.jamabo@ust.edu.ng
Dr J. G. Tetam	Lecturer II	Environmental Biochemistry	jack.tetam1@ust.edu.ng
Dr P. A. C. Amechi	Lecturer II	Environmental Biochemistry	amechi.prince@ust.edu.ng
Mrs W. Nda-Wonodi	Assistant Lecturer	Environmental Biochemistry	woroma.nda-wonodi@ust.edu.ng
Mr C. S. Amadi	Assistant Lecturer	Biochemistry & Toxicology	chigozirimsteve69@gmail.com
Mr M. S. George	Assistant Lecturer	Environmental Biochemistry & Toxicology	george.miebaka@ust.edu.ng
Miss B. G. Ibiama	Assistant Lecturer	Environmental Biochemistry & Toxicology	ibiama.boma@ust.edu.ng
Ms D. A. George	Assistant Lecturer	Environmental Biochemistry	george.damiete@ust.edu.ng
Mr V. D. Nkomadu	Graduate Assistant	Biochemistry	nkomadu.valentine@ust.edu.ng
Mr C. D. Elendu	Graduate Assistant	Biochemistry	chinule.elendu@ust.edu.ng
Mrs P. P. Ndu	Technologist I	Biochemistry	patricia.ndu@ust.edu.ng
Miss L. O. Eme	Technologist II	Biochemistry	lilianolueme@gmail.com
Mr E. Peterside	Technologist II	Biochemistry	emmanuel.peterside@ust.edu.ng
Miss W. E. Ehoro	Technologist II	Biochemistry	wining.ehoro@ust.edu.ng
Mr C. Ikegwuru	Technologist II	Biochemistry	ichijioke50@yahoo.com
Mrs G. O. Chinda	Technologist II	Biochemistry	chinda.ozichinaka@ust.edu.ng
Miss O. D. Nwogu	Technologist II	Biochemistry	dennis.nwogu@ust.edu.ng
Mrs T. S. Leemene	Technologist II	Biochemistry
Mrs N. M. Briggs	Principal Executive Officer		briggs.ngozi@ust.edu.ng
Mr S. A. Chinda	Administrative Officer I		stanley.ama@ust.edu.ng
Miss B. E. Jaja	Administrative Officer II		jaja.bomaephraim@ust.edu.ng
Mrs A. A. Okogbule	Clerical Officer		alina.okogbule@ust.edu.ng

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 train and develop highly skilled and innovative manpower who are not only equipped with knowledge in all the modern aspects of Biochemistry, but are poised to provide professional services to meet National and Global challenges in Biochemical Sciences and related disciplines.

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.