Dr. Iheanyi Omezuruike Okonko
AIDS and HIVDiseasesEpidemiologyGastroenterology and HepatologyMicrobiologyViral Diseases Medical Virology Molecular Epidemiology AIDS HIV Epidemiology Gastroenterology and Hepatology Microbiology Viral Diseases Hepatitis C virus research Hepatitis B Virus Studies Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research Hepatology

Bio

Dr. Iheanyi Omezuruike Okonko is a distinguished Senior Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where he serves as a Teaching and Research Virologist, Immunologist, and Molecular Epidemiologist. He earned his PhD in Virology from Ebonyi State University and holds advanced degrees in Christian Education. Dr. Okonko has conducted groundbreaking research on viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and infectious diseases, with over 198 publications and 1,910 citations to his name. His work has earned him numerous international grants and fellowships, including a Fulbright Visiting Research Scholar grant at New York University School of Medicine and travel awards from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Hepatitis B Foundation, and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership. He is a founding member of several prestigious professional societies, including the African Society for Virology, African Vaccinology Network, and the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network. Dr. Okonko’s h-index of 23 and i10-index of 60 reflect his sustained impact in the fields of virology and molecular epidemiology.

Educational Journey

Ebonyi State University

PhD Virology in Department of Applied Microbiology, • Department of Applied Microbiology,

2017

University of Ibadan

MPhil/PhD (Uncompleted) in Department of Virology • Department of Virology

2012

Triune Biblical University- Global Extension

PhD in Christian Education in Christian Education • Christian Education

2011
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Experience

University of Port Harcourt

Senior Lecturer (Teaching & Research Virologist, Immunologist & Molecular Epidemiologist)

2011 - Present • Virus Research Unit, Department of Microbiology

New York University School of Medicine

Fulbright Visiting Research Scholar

2016 - 2017 • Department of Pathology, Research Center for AIDS & Infections & NYU Vaccine Discovery Consortium

Lead City University

Lecturer I (Teaching & Research Virologist)

2010 - 2011 • Department of Microbiology
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Affiliations

African Virologists

Founding Member

Member since 2019

Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network

Founding Member (Membership No: NBGNI203)

Member since 2019

African Vaccinology Network (AfVANET)

Founding Member

Member since 2016
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Grants and Awards

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African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) Travel Fellowship/Award

African Population and Health Research Center

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Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Health Travel Award

Keystone Symposia

2020
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Hepatitis B Foundation 2019 Travel Grant

Hepatitis B Foundation

2019
Show all 16 grants

Research

Seroprevalence of HBsAg antigenaemia among patients in Abeokuta, South Western Nigeria

Global Journal of Medical Research August 10, 2010