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,
2017University of Ibadan
MPhil/PhD (Uncompleted) in Department of Virology • Department of Virology
2012Triune Biblical University- Global Extension
PhD in Christian Education in Christian Education • Christian Education
2011Experience
University of Port Harcourt
Senior Lecturer (Teaching & Research Virologist, Immunologist & Molecular Epidemiologist)
2011 - Present • Virus Research Unit, Department of MicrobiologyNew York University School of Medicine
Fulbright Visiting Research Scholar
2016 - 2017 • Department of Pathology, Research Center for AIDS & Infections & NYU Vaccine Discovery ConsortiumLead City University
Lecturer I (Teaching & Research Virologist)
2010 - 2011 • Department of MicrobiologyAffiliations
African Virologists
Founding Member
Member since 2019Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network
Founding Member (Membership No: NBGNI203)
Member since 2019African Vaccinology Network (AfVANET)
Founding Member
Member since 2016Grants and Awards
African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) Travel Fellowship/Award
African Population and Health Research Center
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Health Travel Award
Keystone Symposia
Hepatitis B Foundation 2019 Travel Grant
Hepatitis B Foundation
Best Lecturer of the Year Award
University of Port Harcourt
Joint Travel Grant/Fellowship
Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN)
African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) Travel Grant
African Population and Health Research Center
University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Continuing Medical Education Travel Grant
University of California - San Diego School of Medicine
International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) Travel Fellowship
Elsevier BV
Hepatitis B Foundation 2018 Travel Grant
Hepatitis B Foundation
Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria (FAAN) Travel Fellowship
Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria (FAAN)
European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Grant
European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Travel Grant
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Hepatitis B Foundation 2016 Travel Grant
Hepatitis B Foundation
African Doctoral Dissertation Research Fellowship (ADDRF) HIV Award
African Population and Health Research Center
European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Travel Grant
European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership
Fulbright Visiting Research Scholar Grant
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
