Dr. Gloria Ajugwo

I, Dr Gloria Ajugwo Chidiebere, am a medical microbiologist with a PhD from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, awarded 9th November, 2024. I began my academic journey with bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial microbiology and medical microbiology, respectively, both from the Federal University of Technology Owerri.

During the course of my doctoral research in medical microbiology, my interest was in finding alternatives to synthetic antibiotics, where I worked with different plant extracts, with the intention of evaluating the various molecular docking affinities of the phytochemicals with the enzyme DNA gyrase. My overall goal was to combat multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens from clinical samples.
I have also contributed to the field through conference presentations, publications and collaborations.

Prior to my second doctoral research in Germany, I was a lecturer with the Department of Microbiology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Where I acquired experiences in various academic and non-academic activities, such as teaching undergraduate courses, conducting laboratory analysis and supervising students' projects.

I bagged the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) awards, which took me to Germany for my research, where I continued with my passion for advancing health, working with chemicals in the environment using the zebrafish embryo model.

As part of my community service outside of academia, I have also worked as a volunteer in some associations, such as welfare secretary of my street association, member of my church media and welfare team, etc.