Dr Emeka Chibuzor Okechukwu

Emeka photo

Research Fellow

School of Science and the Environment

Molecular Plant and Microbial Biosciences Research Unit

Contact Details

email: e.okechukwu@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 543068

Dr Emeka Chibuzor Okechukwu has broad experience in plant-microbe interaction, molecular biology, novel molecular breeding and tissue culture techniques. He has also worked as a lecturer and researcher in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria for some years. He joined the University of Worcester in November 2020 as a research fellow in the Professor Mahmut Tör’s research group. His current research is on exploiting microbial biological agents in controlling downy mildew in pulses. Prior to joining the University of Worcester, his PhD research was on understanding the roles of beneficial microbe effectors in plant growth and stress resistance. He expanded his practical experience in plant microbe interaction, molecular biology, plant genetic transformation and tissue culture during his PhD research.  In addition, his M.Sc. research was on genome-wide studies of heat tolerance in bread wheat in multiple heat prone locations.   

Emeka has won several academic awards such as (1): Exceptional talent endorsement in his field of research by the Royal Society, UK in 2020. (2): Chancellor's International Scholarship from the University of Warwick UK (this was the only one awarded in the School of Life Sciences that year) in 2015. (3): PhD scholarship from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Nigeria in 2014 to study in the University of Adelaide Australia. (4): MSc research scholarship from International Centre for Agricultural Research Development in Dry Areas (ICARDA), Syria in 2012. (5): Best graduating student (B.Sc) award from the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria in 2008.

Qualifications

  • 2019: PhD. Plant and Environmental Sciences. University of Warwick, United Kingdom.
  • 2014: M.Sc. Plant Breeding and Genetics (Distinction). University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • 2008: B.Sc. Crop Protection (First Class Honours). University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Member of the Molecular Plant and Microbial Biosciences Research Unit

Research Interests

  • Plant-microbe interaction
  • Molecular biology
  • Marker-assisted breeding, plant engineering and genome editing
  • Plant tissue culture
  • Bioinformatics

Membership of Professional Bodies

British Society of Plant Pathology

Crop Science Society of Nigeria

Publications

  1. Chikezie O Ene, Alozie Anyim, Uchechukwu P. Chukudi, Emeka C. Okechukwu and Ugochukwu N. Ikeogu (2019). Growth and yield response of selected improved soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) varieties to varying weeding regimes under a tropical condition. Journal of Central European Agriculture 20(1): 157-178.
  2. Agatha Ifeoma Atugwu, Emeka Chibuzor Okechukwu, Onyia Vincent N, Chukwu Chinenye, and Ede Vincent Nkemdirim (2019). Studies on adaptability of advanced generations of wild and cultivated tomato crosses in a humid environment. Researchjournali’s Journal of Agriculture. Vol. 6 (7).
  3. Jandong, E.A; Uguru, M. I. and Okechukwu, E. C. (2019). Genotype-by-environment interaction and stability analysis of soybean genotypes for yield and yield components across two locations in Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research 14 (34) :1897-1903.
  4. Jandong, E.A; Uguru, M. I. and Okechukwu, E. C. (2019). Estimation of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for grain yield and yield components in soybean (Glycine max L.). African Journal of Biotechnology. (in press).
  5. Francis C. Ogbonnaya, Awais Rasheed, Emeka C. Okechukwu, Abdulqader Jighly, Farid Makdis, Tadesse Wuletaw, Adel Hagras, Michael I. Uguru, and Christian U. Agbo (2017). Genome‐wide association study for agronomic and physiological traits in spring wheat evaluated in a range of heat prone environments.
  6. N. Onyia, Emeka C. Okechukwu, Agatha I. Atugwu and Ndueso. Michael Akpan (2017). Genetic Variability Studies on Twelve Genotypes of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) for Growth and Yield Performance in South Eastern Nigeria. Not Sci Biol, 9(1):110-115.
  7. Ndueso M. Akpan, Peter E. Ogbonna, Vincent N. Onyia, Emeka C. Okechukwu, Ima-obong I. Dominic, Agatha I. Atugwu (2017). Genetic control and heterosis of quantitative traits in several local eggplant genotypes. Not Sci Biol, 9(4):520-524.
  8. O. Ogbu, P. E. Ogbonna, V. N. Onyia and E. C. Okechukwu (2016). Yield improvement of Egusi melon (Colocynthis citrillus L.) through intergeneric hybridization with watermelon Citrillus lanatus L.). The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 26(5): 1291-1297.
  9. O. Orji, Peter. E. Ogbonna, Vincent. N. Onyia, and Emeka. C. Okechukwu (2016). Improvement of fruit taste quality of ‘egusi’ melon (Colocynthis citrullus L.) through hybridization with watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thumb). Journal of Tropical Agriculture. 54 (1) :1-6.
  10. Akpan, N. M; Ogbonna, P. E; Onyia, V. N; Okechukwu, E. C; and I. A. Atugwu (2016). Variability studies on ten genotypes of eggplant for growth and yield performance in south eastern Nigeria. Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 26(4):1034-1041.
  11. Ndueso AKPAN, Peter OGBONNA, Vincent ONYIA, Emeka OKECHUKWU, Agatha ATUGWU, and Ima-obong DOMINIC (2016). Studies on the variability and combining ability for improved growth and yield of local eggplant genotypes (Solanum melongena L.). Notulae Scientia Biologicae 8 (2):226-231.
  12. Emeka C. Okechukwu, Christian U. Agbo, Michael I. Uguru, and Francis C. Ogbonnaya (2016). Germplasm evaluation of heat tolerance in bread wheat in Tel Hadya, Syria. Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research 76 (1): 9-17.
  13. E. Ezeaku, H. A. Ajeigbe and E. C. Okechukwu (2016). Evaluation of introduced pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) genotypes for growth and yield performance in Subano-sahelian ecology of Nigeria. The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences 26(1): 163-169.
  14. Ezeaku, I. E., Mbah, B. N., Baiyeri, K. P. and Okechukwu, E. C (2015). Integrated crop- livestock farming system for sustainable agricultural production in Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research 10(47): 4268-4274.
  15. E. Ezeaku, E.C. Okechukwu and S.C Aba (2014). Climate change effects on maize (Zea mays) production in Nigeria and strategies for mitigation. Asian Journal of Science and Technology, India 5 (12): 862-871.
  16. Baiyeri, K. P., Aba, S., Okechukwu, E. C., Chukwudi, P.U., Amuji, C. F., Osadebe, V. O., and Mbadianya, F.I (2014). Crop production and youth employment in Nigeria. Proceedings of the 2nd National Annual Conference of Crop Science Society of Nigeria (CSSN), held at University of Nigeria, Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria on September 21-25, 2014.
  17. Baiyeri, K. P., Aba, S., Okechukwu, E. C., Chukwudi, P., and Amuji C. F. (2013). The Role of crop science in the agricultural transformation agenda of Nigeria. Proceedings of the 1st National Annual Conference of Crop Science Society of Nigeria (CSSN), held at University of Nigeria, Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria on September 15-19, 2013.
  18. C. U. Agbo, E. C. Okechukwu, Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva and E. I. Eze (2012). Gongronema latifolia Clones: Genetic Effects on some Phytochemical Composition and Anti-microbial Activity against Salmonella typhi. Dynamic Biochemistry, Process Biotechnology and Molecular Biology 6 (1): 95-101.