Professor Akani, Nedie Patience, a distinguished Nigerian Microbiologist and an esteemed academic at Rivers State University. Professor Akani was born on June 9, 1962, in Rivers State, Nigeria. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Port Harcourt, obtained in 1985. She further pursued a Master of Philosophy in Applied Microbiology from the then Rivers State University of Science and Technology, now Rivers State University, in 1990, and crowned her academic achievements with a PhD in Environmental Biology from the same institution in 2016.
Professor Akani embarked on her academic career as an assistant lecturer at Rivers State University in 1991. Her dedication and commitment to the field of microbiology saw her rise to the rank of senior lecturer in 2016 and attain the esteemed position of Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Public Health in 2022. Throughout her career, she has imparted knowledge in various courses, including Introductory Microbiology, Pathogenic Microbiology, Epidemiological Surveillance in Public Health, and Public Health Microbiology at both undergraduate and graduate levels. She has guided over 80 undergraduate projects and supervised 13 PhD, 25 MSc, and 3 PGD students, demonstrating her passion for mentoring and nurturing future scientists. Notably, she served as the Head of the Department of Microbiology from 2020 to 2022.
Professor Akani’s research interests are broad and impactful, focusing on Microbial Ecology, Environmental Microbiology, and Public Health Microbiology. Her primary interest lies in Public Health Microbiology, covering Human, Animal, Food, Water, and Environmental Microbiology, with a significant focus on Human Health and Disease. Her research has led to interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly with Epidemiology and Clinical Medicine. Her expertise spans Emerging and Re-emerging Communicable Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Resistance Genes, Environmental and Public Health Microbiology, Concomitant Microbial Infections in Multifactorial Systems in Disease Establishment, and Ecotoxicology. Her proficiency in data analysis using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and statistical packages such as SPSS Version 22 further underscores her comprehensive skill set.
Professor Akani has an impressive record of over 100 publications in reputable scientific journals and has presented her research at numerous local and international conferences. Her contributions to science have been recognized with the award of Fellow of the International Society of Comparative Education, Science, and Technology (ISCEST) in 2019, an organization she currently presides over since 2021.
Her professional services are extensive and include roles as an external examiner for the University of Port Harcourt, University of Africa, Toru-Orua, and Niger Delta University. She also serves as the President of ISCEST, a Board of Trustee Member of Our Water and Health Africa Network, and the Coordinator of MathTech Thinking Foundation in Nigeria. Additionally, Professor Akani has served as a reviewer and editor for several scientific journals, contributing to the advancement of microbiology in Nigeria.
Professor Akani’s dedication to her field extends beyond her professional commitments. She is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Society for Microbiology, Mycological Society of Nigeria, Nigerian Society for Microbiology, International Society of Comparative Education, Science, and Technology, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Nigeria Biological Safety Association, and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World.
Beyond her professional life, Professor Akani enjoys singing, reading, and has a profound passion for God. She is happily married to Dr. Alexander Bekweri Akani, and they are blessed with four children.
