CURRICULUM VITAE A. PERSONAL DATA
1. Name UGWU ALPHONSUS CHINEDU
2. Date of Birth 7th April 1985
3. Marital Status Married
4. Postal Address Department of Biological Sciences
College of Natural Sciences,
Redeemer’s University. P.M.B 203
Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
5. Email Address [email protected]
6. Mobile Phone Number (234)8129002406
7. Name and address of Spouse Roberta Kamille Pennell-Ugwu
Redeemer’s University
Ede, Osun State
8. Name and Address of Next of Kin Roberta Kamille Pennell-Ugwu
Redeemer’s University
Ede, Osun State
9. Nationality Nigerian
10. State of Origin Enugu State
B. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
1. Higher Educational Institution attended with dates:
i. University of Cambridge, UK 2014 - 2021
ii. University of Oxford, UK 2013 - 2014.
iii. University of Ibadan, Nigeria 2003 - 2010
2. Academic and Professional Qualifications
i. Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Science, (University of
Cambridge, 2021)
ii. Master of Science in Integrated Immunology, (University of
Oxford, 2014).
iii. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Distinction (University of Ibadan,
October 2010).
3. Professional Qualifications
i. Project Management Professional (PMP) by Ciel Consulting
(2020)
ii. Safe carriage of Infectious Substances by Air, RoadSafe Europe,
(2018)
iii. Personal License Category B training course (PIL No I978249F3)
(2018)
iv. Advanced flow cytometry module, Babraham Institute, Cambridge,
UK (2015)
v. Use of Containment Facilities and microbiological safety Cabinet
course, Occupational health and safety Service, Cambridge, (2015) 4. Other Distinctions and Awards
i. Presidential Special Scholarship for Innovation and Development
(PRESSID) (For Masters and PhD studies)
ii. Travel and charitable project award, Fitzwilliam college,
University of Cambridge (2017)
iii. Faith Ivens-Franklin Travel grant, Keble College, University of
Oxford (2014)
iv. Irawo University Centre Partial Scholarship for academic
excellence (2006-2010)
v. Faculty Prize for best graduating student in Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Ibadan (2010)
vi. Departmental prize for the best graduating student in Veterinary
Anatomy, Veterinary Microbiology, Veterinary Parasitology,
Veterinary Reproduction (2010)
vii. Olufunmilayo Agbato Prize for the Best Student in Avian
Medicine (2010)
viii. Professor J.U. Akpokodje Prize for the Best Final Year Student
with Highest GPA in Veterinary Reproduction as a Subject (2010)
ix. Dean’s award for academic excellence; six of six sessions,
University of Ibadan (2004-2010)
C. EMPLOYMENT RECORD
1. Previous Working Experience Outside the University System
i. Examiner, BMAT marking scheme team, Cambridge Assessment
English, UK (November 2017)
ii. Tutor, Veterinary medicine, Oxbridge Academic programme
(Camprep), (Summer, 2016)
2. Previous Working Experience in other University System
i. Invigilator, University and College examination, Fitzwilliam
college, University of Cambridge (2014 to date)
ii. Resident Pathologist, Veterinary diagnostic pathology Lab,
University of Ibadan (2012-2013)
iii. Lecturer, Veterinary Public Health and preventive Medicine,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja (2011-2012)
iv. Resident Doctor, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja National youth service
corps (NYSC) (2011)
v. Research Assistant, Tuberculosis Laboratory, Veterinary Public
Health and preventive Medicine Department, University of Ibadan
(2010)
3. Working Experience at the Redeemer’s University
i. Lecturer 1, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural
Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State. (September 2018 Till
date) ii. Research Fellow, African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious
Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State. (September
2018 Till date)
iii. I co-teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Biological Sciences
Department such as Immunology and Immunogenetics, Advanced and
Pathogenic Mycology, Molecular and Genomic evolution, Biological
techniques, Biosafety and Bioethics.
D. DEPARTMENT/COLLEGE OF CANDIDATE
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences
E. DATE OF FIRST APPOINTMENT AT THE REDEEMER’S UNIVERSITY
01/09/2018
F. DATE OF CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT:
NA
G. CURRENT SALARY AND GRADE LEVEL:
N226,818.25 / RUASS 4 Step 03
H. CURRENT POSITON AND DATE OF LAST PROMOTION/
APPOINTMENT/ REGRADING:
Lecturer I/ 01/09/2018
I. MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES:
i. British society of Immunology (2018 Till date)
ii. The Microbiology society (2017 Till date)
iii. The Cambridge Philosophical Society (2017 Till date) iv. Member, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) (2010
Till date)
v. Member Cambridge Union Society, University of Cambridge (Life
member)
J. IMPORTANT ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS HELD AT REDEEMER’S UNIVERSITY:
Level Adviser (100 level, 2020/2021)
K. OTHER POSITIONS HELD WITHIN THE REDEEMER’S UNIVERSITY:
NA
L. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES:
i. Immune correlates of protection to Lassa virus Disease
ii. Zoonotic surveillance of Lassa diseases in Nigeria
iii. Immune correlates of protection to SARS-CoV-2
iv. Molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 among Nigeria patients
v. Natural and Vaccine induced response to SARS-CoV-2 variants in Nigeria
M. RESEARCH GRANTS ATTRACTED TO THE UNIVERSITY
Project Title Role Awarding Body Amount Grant Period Audacious Sentinel Lead ELMA 100 million 2020 -2025 Project Coordinator, Foundation USD clinics, hospitals, and public health, teams in Nigeria One Health and Research Biotechnology 1.5 million 2018-2023 accelerating Vaccines Fellow and Biological pounds for Ebola and Lassa science Research Fever (OVEL). Council (BBSRC) Zoonotic surveillance Associate Emerging 1.5 million 2021 -2023 of Lassa fever in Investigator Infectious USD Southern Nigeria Diseases Branch Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Silver Spring, MD, U.S.A. SARS-CoV-2 Immune Principal Cambridge- 30,000 2020-2022 correlates of protection Investigator Africa pounds in Nigeria (SIP-NG) ALBORADA Assessing the Effect of Lead Africa Centres for 350,000 2021 -2022 SARS-CoV-2 Variants Coordinator Disease Control USD on Vaccine-induced and Prevention, and Naturally acquired Africa Union Immune Responses in Commission Nigeria (SARS- CoVAN)
N. STUDENT SUPERVISION
i. POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION: 2 Students (2 MSc)
Student’s Name Student Matriculation Academic Number Level Session 2018/2019 Taweh, Fahn Momo RUN/MGB/18/7898 MSc
2019/2020 Alao, Oluwasina E RUN/MBG/19/8669 MSc.
ii. UNDERGRADUATE SUPERVISION: 4 students
Academic Session Student’s Name Matriculation Number 2018/2019 Gbadebo Oluwajumilo RUN/MCB/15/6121
2019/2020 Olowookere Ayomidipupo O RUN/MCB/17/6999
2020/2021 Mike-Raji Toluwanimi RUN/MCB/18/7743 Olaniyan Esther Marvellous RUN/MCB/17/6990
O. HONOURS/DISTINCTIONS AND AWARDS: i. Cambridge Africa Alborada Grant Award for SARS-CoV-2 Immune
correlates of protection in Nigeria.
ii. Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Africa Union
Commission Grant Award for Assessing the Effect of SARS-CoV-2
Variants on Vaccine-induced and Naturally acquired Immune Responses
in Nigeria (SARS-CoVAN).
P. MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM:
1. National Contributions i. Capacity building on Immunological assays for infectious diseases at
Federal Medical Centre Owo, and Alex Ekwueme Federal University
Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.
ii. Molecular diagnostic support for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Nigeria
iii. Odiiche Nwanyi foundation: educational project providing scholarship for
indigent children from Ugbene-Ajima community, Enugu state, Nigeria
(April 2017 till date)
iv. Mentor, Skills Outside School Foundation (2015 to date)
v. NYSC-MDGs-FACOR community development service: malaria
sensitization and distribution of insecticide treated nets at Gbui and
Gbessan communities in AMAC, Abuja (2011)
vi. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): Nigeria General
Election Giri Primary School, Gwako ward, Gwagwalada, Abuja. (April 9-
26, 2011) vii. Coordinator, Irawo Football Competition, Irawo University Centre
Agbowo, Ibadan (2006)
2. International Contributions i. Junior editor, Early-Stage Researchers journal (ESR) (2016 to date)
ii. President, Cambridge University Nigerian Society, University of
Cambridge, UK (2016-2017)
iii. Member, Organizing committee Africa Together conference, University of
Cambridge, UK (2016-2017)
iv. Mentor, Oxbridge Africa Mentorship Programme (2014 to date)
v. Treasurer, University of Oxford Nigerian Society, University of Oxford,
UK (2013-2014)
Q. IMPORTANT LEARNED CONFERENCE/ WORKSHOPS/COURSES
ATTENDED WITH DETAILS OF PAPER PRESENTATION:
Conferences/Workshops TITLE Dates 1. 1Africa CDC Webinar series on One Health Leading from the front: Genomic June 2020 . and COVID19 (Speaker) surveillance of COVID19 outbreak in Nigeria by ACEGID 2. 29th Annual Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Correlates of protective immunity Sep 2019 . Consortium (VHFC) Conference, Boulder to Lassa fever disease: update on Colorado, US (Speaker) cell mediated immunity 3. 31st Lassa fever International Conference Dissecting the Immune Correlates Jan 2019 (LIC) by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control of Protection in Lassa fever (NCDC), Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Infection Nigeria (Poster presentation) 4. 3Fitzwilliam Graduate conference, Arenaviruses, Nov 2017 . Fitzwilliam college, University of immunopathology,and Cambridge, UK persistence; the roles of Antigen (Speaker) presenting cells (APC) 5. 4Innate immunity conference, Freiburg, Heterogeneity of Bone marrow Sep 2017 Germany (Poster presentation) derived antigen presenting cells and their response to RNA virus infection and dsRNA 6. 5Emerging viruses conference, St Hilda's Understanding the roles of Sep 2016 . college University of Oxford, UK Antigen presenting cells (APC) in (Speaker) emerging virus zoonoses 7. 6Within host RNA virus persistence: July 2016 mechanisms and consequences, St Andrews Scotland, UK (Participant) 8. 7Education panel, Africa Together Mar 2016 . conference, Africa Society of Cambridge University (Panel lead and moderator) 9. 8NYSC/MDGs war against poverty (WAP) Mar 2011 . Agro-entrepreneurial Skill Training Abuja (Participant) 10. 9University of Ibadan/John D and Catherine Feb 2010 . T. MacArthur Foundation Gender Mainstreaming project – Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming, Ibadan 11. Project Management Professional (PMP) by Sep 2020 Ciel Consulting (2020)
12. Safe carriage of Infectious Substances by May 2018 Air, RoadSafe Europe
13. Personal License Category B training course Mar 2018 (PIL No I978249F3)
14. Advanced flow cytometry module, Oct 2015 Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK (2015)
15. Use of Containment Facilities and Feb, 2015 microbiological safety Cabinet course, Occupational health and safety Service, Cambridge
R. RESEARCH FOCUS
i. Immunology of Viral Diseases
My research is on understanding how the immune system modulates the
outcome of viral infection. My research aims to elucidate the correlates of
protective immune response to viral infections. I am currently a research
fellow at the African centre of excellence for genomics of infectious diseases (ACEGID) managing a Biotechnology and Biological science
Research Council (BBSRC) funded project One Health and accelerating
Vaccines for Ebola and Lassa Fever (OVEL). This project is aimed at
exploring the immune correlates of protection in Lassa fever infection,
disease progression and viral diversity in human and animals. The focus is
on establishing the baseline vaccine candidates need to achieve for further
clinical trial. I used ELISPOT, flow cytometry, ELISA and Luminex
multiplex ELISA to quantify the baseline immune correlates of protection
data in Lassa fever infection. I coordinate this project at our various
sampling sites (FETHA Abakaliki, FMC, Owo, and ISTH, Irrua). I am
also a principal investigator on a similar project (SARS-CoV-2 Immune
correlates of protection in Nigeria (SIP-NG) looking at the immune
correlates of protection in SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID19 diseases in
Nigeria. The SIP-NG project is funded by Cambridge-Africa
ALBORADA research fund. I am also involved in molecular diagnosis of
SARS-CoV-2 in ACEGID.
I hope through my research to generate data and knowledge that will
inform vaccine and diagnostics production as well as management and
prevention of these diseases.
S. CONTRIBUTION TO SUBMITTED RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS As Attached
T. PUBLICATIONS ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6347-1593
1. Articles Published In Learned Journal: i. Happi, A. N., Ugwu, C. A. and Happi, C. T. (2021). Tracking the
emergence of new SARS-CoV-2variants in South Africa. Nat. Med. 27,
372–373. [Springer Nature, USA]; Impact Factor: 36.130; %
Contribution: 50]
ii. Petrovan SO, Aldridge DC, Bartlett H, Bladon AJ, Booth H, Broad S,
Broom DM, Burgess N, Cleaveland S, Cunningham AA, Ferri M, Hinsley
A, Hua F, Hughes AC, Jones K, Kelly M, Mayes G, Radakovic M, Ugwu
CA, Uddin N, Verissimo D, Walzer C, White TB, Wood J, Sutherland WJ.
(2021) Post COVID-19: a solution scan of options for preventing future
zoonotic epidemics. Biological Reviews. DOI 10.1111/brv.12774.
[John Wiley & Sons, USA]; Impact Factor: 10.701; % Contribution: 25] iii. Botti-lodovico, Y., Nair, P., Nosamiefan, D., Stremlau, M., Schaffner, S.,
Ayodeji, O., Colubri, A., Dada, I., Ugwu, C.A., Elhamoumi, S., Eromon,
P., et al. (2021). The Origins and Future of Sentinel: An Early-Warning
System for Pandemic Preemption and Response. Viruses.
[MDPI, Switzerland]; Impact Factor: 3.816; % Contribution: 25] iv. Heinrich ML, Boisen ML, Nelson DK, Bush DJ, Cross RW, Ugwu CA,
Branco LM et al., (2020). Antibodies from Sierra Leonean and Nigerian
Lassa fever survivors cross-react with recombinant proteins representing
Lassa viruses of divergent lineages. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–19.
[Springer Nature, USA]; Impact Factor: 3.998; % Contribution: 25]
v. Ugwu, C.; Adekola, A.; Adewale Fasoro, O.; Oyesola, O.; Heeney, J.;
Happi, C. Insights into the Nigerian COVID19 Outbreak. Preprints 2020, 2020070181 (doi: 10.20944/preprints202007. 0181.v1). [Preprints, USA];
Impact Factor: NA; % Contribution: 50]
vi. Petrovan SO, Aldridge DC, Bartlett H, Bladon AJ, Booth H, Broad S,
Broom DM, Burgess N, Cleaveland S, Cunningham AA, Ferri M, Hinsley
A, Hua F, Hughes AC, Jones K, Kelly M, Mayes G, Radakovic M, Ugwu
CA, Uddin N, Verissimo D, Walzer C, White TB, Wood J, Sutherland WJ.
"Post COVID-19: a solution scan of options for preventing future zoonotic
epidemics". OSF; 2020. DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/5JX3G. [OSF, USA];
Impact Factor: NA; % Contribution: 25]
vii. Happi AN, Ugwu CA, Happi CT. Preparing for the next Ebola outbreak:
in-country genomic capacity in Africa. Lancet infect Dis 2019; 393: 850–
52. [Elsevier, USA]; Impact Factor: 24.446; % Contribution: 50] viii. Heinrich, M., Boisen, M., Branco, L., Hastie, K., Nelson, D., Ugwu, CA.,
Bush, D., Garry, R. et al (2019). Lassa fever immune response cross
reactivity to recombinant antigen-based immunoassays. American Journal
of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (vol. 101, pp. 71-71). [ASTMH, USA];
Impact Factor: 2.453; % Contribution: 50]
ix. Anise N. Happi, Angela J. Toeppb, C.A. Ugwu, Christine A. Petersen,
Jane E. Sykesc, “Detection and identification of blood-borne infections in
dogs in Nigeria using light microscopy and the polymerase chain reaction”
Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports 11 (2018) 55–60
[Elsevier BV, Netherland]; Impact Factor: 1.73; % Contribution: 25] x. Okanlawon F. A, Emikpe B. O and Ugwu C. “The Role Of Veterinary
Nurses In Post-Operative Animal Care Management In Nigeria” Bull.
Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr (2011) 59. 475-478 [African Union –Inter african
Bureau For Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)]; Impact Factor: NA; %
Contribution: 50]
2. Theses and Dissertations:
i. Arenavirus: The role of Antigen presenting cells (APC) in persistence and
immunopathology (PhD 2021). My work confirmed heterogeneity of invitro
generated bone marrow dendritic cell. It also showed that LCMV impairs antigen
presentation and cytokine production from dendritic cell both invitro and invivo.
Finally, it demonstrated the power of single cell RNA sequencing technology in
unravelling virus immune cell interactions.
ii. Mechanism underlying cell overgrowth induced by Jagged-1 over expression in
breast cancer cell line (MSc 2014). My work showed that cytoplasmic domain and
DSL domain is crucial in Jagged1 induced overgrowth in breast cancer cell and
that this may likely involve bidirectional signaling of Jagged1. iii. Prevalence Of Swine Mycobacteriosis In Slaughtered Pigs At Bodija Municipal
Abattoir, Ibadan, Oyo State (DVM 2010).
U. REFEREES
1. Professor Christian Happi
Director, African Center of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases
(ACEGID), Professor, Department of Biological Science, Redeemers University,
2. Professor Jonathan Heeney
Head, Lab of Viral Zoonotics (LVZ)
Professor of pathology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of
Cambridge, UK
3. Professor Victor Anosa
Professor of pathology, Department of pathology, Michael Okpara University of
Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
Signature: Date: 28/06/2021