Dr. Chika E.P. Ejikeugwu

Contact

Dr. Chika Ejikeugwu
Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Fellow

Working group Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance

Dept. of Applied Microbial Ecology
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany

+49 15216452360

chika-ebiye-peter.ejikeugwu@ufz.de

Dr. Chika Ejikeugwu

Career path

Since 2023
 		Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Fellow at the Department of Applied Microbial Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig (Germany).
2021 till date Senior Lecturer & Researcher on AMR at the Enugu State University of Science & Technology, ESUT (Nigeria).
2021 Postdoc at Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, BAM (Berlin, Germany).
2018 Postdoc at the Laboratory of Infectious Disease Model, Institute for Life & Medical Sciences (LiMe), Kyoto Univeristy, Kyoto (Japan).

Education

2013 - 2017 PhD dissertation; Pharmaceutical Microbiology & Biotechnology
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
2010 - 2012 Master thesis; Pharmaceutical Microbiology & Biotechnology
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
2005 - 2008 Bachelor thesis in Applied Microbiology;
Ebonyi State University, Nigeria

Research interests

My research interests lie in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and infectious diseases. My long-term goal is to develop a robust knowledge base and skill set to comprehensively understand the key microbiological, epidemiological, and genetic mechanisms driving the evolution and transmission of AMR, particularly at the interface of environmental and hospital settings.

I am also keen to explore how antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and AMR influence the clinical efficacy of antibiotics and patient prognoses. My overarching aim is to contribute to the reduction of AMR incidence and disease burden while ensuring the optimization of antibiotic use in both human and animal health, with a particular focus on Nigeria, Europe and Africa.

As a Research Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Stiftung, I am leading the soilRESIST project, which investigates the threats posed by antibiotic mixtures to soil microbiomes and their functions in agricultural soils. This work focuses on understanding how antibiotic mixtures impact soil bacteria, promoting the abundance, reservoir, and spread of ARGs and AMR strains from manure to soil microbiomes. Additionally, the project examines how these dynamics affect crucial soil functions, such as the biodegradation of anthropogenic contaminants, within agricultural ecosystems.


2025
  • Platt, R. N., II, Enabulele, E. E., Adeyemi, E., Agbugui, M. O., Ajakaye, O. G., Amaechi, E. C., Ejikeugwu, C. P., Igbeneghu, C., Njom, V. S., Dlamini, P., Arya, G. A., Diaz, R., Rabone, M., Allan, F., Webster, B., Emery, A., Rollinson, D., & Anderson, T. J. C. (2025). Genomic data reveal a north-south split and introgression history of blood fluke populations across Africa. Nature Communications, 16, 3508. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58543-6
2021
  • Ejikeugwu C, Nworie O, Saki M, Al-Dahmoshi HOM, Al-Khafaji NSK, Ezeador C, Nwakaeze E, Eze P, Oni E, Obi C, Iroha I, Esimone C, Adikwu MU (2021). Detection of metallo-β-lactamase and AmpC genes in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from abattoir and poultry origin in Nigeria. BMC Microbiology, 21(124):1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-021-02179-1
2020
  • Ejikeugwu C, Hasson SO, Al-Mosawi RM, Alkhudhairy MK, Saki M, Ezeador C, Eze P, Ugwu M, Duru C, Ujam NT, Edeh C, Udu-Ibiam O, Iroha I, Adikwu M (2020). Occurrence of FOX-1 AmpC Gene among Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in abattoir samples from south-eastern Nigeria. Reviews in Medical Microbiology, 31(2):99-103. https://doi.org/10.1097/MRM.0000000000000201
2019
  • Ejikeugwu C, Saki M, Nwakaeze E, Eze P, Chinedu O, Carissa D, Edeh C, Esimone C, Iroha I, Adikwu M (2019). Characterization of blaIMP-1 MBL genes among Klebsiella species from abattoir samples by multiplex PCR. Gene Reports, 16:100428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genrep.2019.100428
  • Oli AN, Ogbuagu VI, Ejikeugwu CP, Iroha IR, Ugwu MC, Ofomata CM, Okeke KN, Emechebe GO, Okoro JC, Okani CO, Onah SK (2019). Multi-Antibiotic Resistance and Factors Affecting Carriage of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Pediatric Population of Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. Medical Sciences, 7:104. https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci7110104
2018
  • Ejikeugwu C, Esimone C, Iroha I, Adikwu M (2018). First Detection of FOX-1 AmpC β-lactamase gene expression among Escherichia coli isolated from abattoir samples in Abakaliki, Nigeria. Oman Medical Journal, 33(3):134-140. https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2018.44
  • Ejikeugwu C, Esimone C, Iroha I, Eze P, Ugwu M, Adikwu M (2018). Genotypic and Phenotypic characterization of MBL genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from the non-hospital environment. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology (JPAM), 12(4):1877-1885. http://dx.doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.12.4.23
2017
  • Ejikeugwu C, Esimone C, Iroha I, Igwe DO, Ugwu M, Ezeador C, Duru C, Adikwu M (2017). Molecular Identification of MBL Genes blaIMP-1 and blaVIM-1 in Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Abattoir by Multiplex PCR Technique. Research Journal of Microbiology, 12: 266-273. https://doi.org/10.3923/jm.2017.266.273
2014
  • Ikegbunam MN, Anagu LO, Iroha IR, Ejikeugwu C, Esimone CO (2014). Abattoirs as Non-Hospital Source of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Producers: Confirmed by the Double Disc Synergy Test and Characterized by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. PLoS ONE, 9(4):e94461. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0094461
2013
  • Ejikeugwu C, Iroha I, Adikwu M, Esimone C (2013). Susceptibility and Detection of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Enzymes from Otitis Media Pathogens. American Journal of Infectious Diseases, 9(1):24-29. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajidsp.2013.24.29

Enugu State University of Science & technology (ESUT), Nigeria

(Taught courses in: pharmaceutical microbiology, bacteriology and virology)

  • I am a member of the Global Young Academy (GYA) in Halle, Germany, a vibrant international community that amplifies the voices of young scientists worldwide. GYA plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of education, science, and policy by engaging with policymakers at both national and global levels to promote sustainable development.
  • As a GYA member, I actively participate in outreach initiatives focused on public health and science education, particularly among young people. Additionally, I founded MicrobiologyClass.net, an online platform dedicated to educating the global microbiology community with engaging and insightful content in the field of microbiology.
  • Whenever possible, I mentor high school students and undergraduates, offering guidance on science, career development, and personal growth to help them navigate the challenges of the real world. Through these efforts, I aim to inspire the next generation of scientists and leaders.

  • 2025 National Institute of Health (NIH) CAMRA Grant on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

  • 2023 Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Fellowship, UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.

  • 2023 Rising Star Postdoctoral Fellowship, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany [Unutilized].
  • 2022 The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Young Affiliateship Award [2022-2027].
  • 2021 Young Investigator Award on Antimicrobial Resistance, Institute Mérieux, France.
  • 2021 DAAD Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, BAM Institute, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2021 AAS Affiliate Membership Award from the African Academy of Sciences (AAS).
  • 2021 Speakers Fund Scholarship from Institut de Recherche pour le Développement.
  • 2020 DAAD Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, Germany [Unutilized due to COVID-19].
  • 2020 National Researchers Prize in Microbiology in Nigeria.
  • 2020 Elected Member of the Global Young Academy (GYA), Germany [2020-2025].
  • 2020 Elected Fellow of Africa Science Leadership Programme [ASLP], South Africa.
  • 2019 Travel Grant from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
  • 2019 Travel Grant from Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), to FEMS2019 Conference in Scotland, UK.
  • 2019 Travel Grant from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to Keystone Symposia in British Columbia, Canada.
  • 2018 Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
  • 2018 TETFund Institutional Based Research (IBR) Grant for Early Careers, Nigeria.
  • 2010 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Award of Excellence, Nigeria.

  • April 2018-October 2018, hosted by Prof. Hirofumi AKARI (Ph.D., D.V.M.). Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. This stay was funded by the Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) through a Research grant for postdoctoral fellowship.

  • June 2021-September 2021, hosted by Prof. Dr. Frank Schreiber. Bundesanstalt für Biologische Materialschädigung und Referenzorganismen, Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Berlin, Germany. This stay was funded by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) through a Research grant for university academics and scientists.