Assoc. Prof. Dr. Augustine Ovie Edegbene | Aquatic ecology | Best Scholar Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Augustine Ovie Edegbene, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Nigeria

🌍 Dr. Augustine Ovie Edegbene, an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Nigeria, is a distinguished scholar with dual PhDs in Water Resources Science and Zoology. With over 15 years of teaching and research experience, he has mentored 50+ students globally. 🌊 His pioneering research in aquatic ecology led to the first macroinvertebrate biotic index in West Africa. 🌱 Dr. Edegbene serves as the Deputy Director of the Institute of Global Health and Health Security and co-leads Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction at the Global Young Academy. 📚 A prolific author, his work advances freshwater ecosystem monitoring.

Professional Profile:

Google Scholar

Orcid

Scopus

Suitability for the Best Scholar Award:

Dr. Augustine Ovie Edegbene stands out as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Scholar Award due to his outstanding contributions to environmental science, particularly in the areas of aquatic ecology, biodiversity conservation, and climate change. His dual PhDs in Water Resources Science and Zoology provide a strong interdisciplinary foundation, allowing him to address complex environmental challenges with innovative solutions. Dr. Edegbene’s research has had a profound global impact, exemplified by his development of the first macroinvertebrate biotic index in West Africa, a groundbreaking tool for monitoring the health of freshwater ecosystems in the region. This achievement underscores his leadership and transformative role in advancing environmental science in West Africa.

Education & Experience

🎓 Education:

PhD in Water Resources Science 🏞️
PhD in Zoology 🐾
Bachelor’s & Master’s in Biological Sciences 🧬

💼 Experience:

Associate Professor, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Nigeria 🏢
Deputy Director, Institute of Global Health and Health Security 🏥
Co-lead, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, Global Young Academy 🌏
15+ years of teaching and research experience 📚
Mentor to 50+ postgraduate students globally 🌐

Professional Development

🚀 Dr. Edegbene is a leader in biodiversity conservation, climate change, and aquatic ecology. 🌊 He has developed innovative biotic indices for freshwater ecosystem biomonitoring, transforming environmental science in West Africa. As a reviewer for 50+ international journals and editorial board member for Discover Sustainability and Frontiers in Environmental Science, he contributes significantly to global academia. 📖 His collaborations span six continents, highlighting his international impact. 🌍 Dr. Edegbene has spearheaded high-impact projects, such as developing tools for biomonitoring wadeable riverine systems and studying Lassa fever in Nigeria. 💡 His expertise integrates science diplomacy and sustainability.

Research Focus

🔬 Dr. Edegbene’s research focuses on applied aquatic ecology, freshwater biodiversity, and climate change. 🌿 He developed the first macroinvertebrate multimetric index in West Africa and introduced macroinvertebrate trait-based biomonitoring in Africa. 🌊 His work advances water governance, ecological health, and socio-ecology in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 🌏 His interdisciplinary approach bridges public health and environmental sciences, including the study of emerging diseases like Lassa fever. 🦠 As a global collaborator, Dr. Edegbene fosters innovations that address critical environmental and health challenges, ensuring resilience and sustainability in diverse ecosystems. 💧

Awards & Honors

🏅 Fellow, African Research Excellence Fund (AREF)
🌟 Member, Global Young Academy (GYA)
🌍 Member, Society for Freshwater Science (SFS)
📖 Editorial Board Member, Discover Sustainability (Springer)
🔍 Guest Editor, Frontiers in Environmental Science & Ecology and Evolution
📜 Over 40 peer-reviewed publications indexed in SCI & Scopus

Publication Top Notes:

📄 Anthropogenic impact on water chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrate associated changes in a southern Nigeria stream
- Cited by: 126
📄 Identifying and classifying macroinvertebrate indicator signature traits and ecological preferences along urban pollution gradient in the Niger Delta
- Cited by: 52
📄 Developing and applying a macroinvertebrate‐based multimetric index for urban rivers in the Niger Delta, Nigeria
- Cited by: 51
📄 Exploring the distribution patterns of macroinvertebrate signature traits and ecological preferences and their responses to urban and agricultural pollution in selected rivers
- Cited by: 46
📄 Effect of anthropogenicity on the composition and diversity of aquatic insects of a municipal river in North Central Nigeria
- Cited by: 43

Short Bio

🎓 Chui Petra Kienyiy is a dedicated environmental scientist from Cameroon, currently pursuing her MSc in Natural Resources Management at Egerton University, Kenya. With a strong academic background and varied professional experience, she is passionate about environmental sustainability and innovative research in natural resource management.

Education

📚 Petra’s academic journey began with a B.Tech in Environmental Engineering from the University of Bamenda (2012-2016), where she researched soy effluent treatment. Currently, she is pursuing her MSc in Natural Resources Management at Egerton University (2020-Present), focusing on the spatial and seasonal variations of microplastics and surface water quality in Kenyan ecosystems.

Experience

🌍 Petra has held various roles, including Project Manager at Gordon’s Agricultural Organization-Uganda (2021-2022), where she managed administrative tasks and developed digital platforms. She also served as a Biology Teacher and Secretary at Gratitude Bilingual College in Cameroon (2019-2020), and as a Stock Accountant at SALEH Business (2018-2019). Her earlier roles include environmental delegate, intern, and data collector in multiple organizations, contributing to environmental audits, agricultural training, and waste management surveys.

Research Interest

🔬 Petra’s research interests lie in environmental sustainability, focusing on the assessment of microplastic pollution, water quality, and innovative waste management techniques. Her MSc research explores the spatial and seasonal variations of microplastics in the River Njoro and Lake Nakuru ecosystems in Kenya.

Awards

🏆 Petra has been recognized for her innovative contributions with the Audience Award on Digital Innovation at StartHub Africa (April 2022) in Nairobi, Kenya. She is also a recipient of the prestigious MasterCard Foundation Scholarship (2020) for her Master’s program and received Presidential grants (2012-2016) for her outstanding academic performance during her undergraduate studies.

Publications

📖 Petra has contributed to several publications and conference proceedings, reflecting her research interests:

Spatial and Seasonal Variations of Microplastics and Surface Water Quality in River Njoro and Lake Nakuru Ecosystems, Kenya. (Under Review)

Seasonal Variations of Surface Water Quality in River Njoro and Lake Nakuru Kenya (2023, Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research)

Integrated Water Resources Management and River Basin Governance: The case of Congo Basin Forest in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Implications for Environmental Sustainability. (Conference Proceedings)

Biogeochemical Processes in Forest Ecosystems: A Review (Conference Proceedings)