Mrs./Dr. Ifedilichukwu Nma Helen is a Medical Biochemist, researcher, and biotechnology professional with extensive experience in vaccine development, immunovirology, molecular biology, immunology, and medical biotechnology.
She holds a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and an M.Sc. in Medical Biochemistry from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. She is currently completing her PhD in Medical Biochemistry at the University of Abuja, with her doctoral training and research situated within the fields of immunology and infectious diseases.
Professionally, she has worked since 2011 as a Medical Biochemist/Researcher at the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA/NABDA), Abuja, particularly within the Vaccine Development and Immunovirology Laboratory. Her work encompasses preclinical vaccine development, immunological assays, molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance, antigen development, and research into infectious diseases.
She has served in several research and leadership capacities, including Head of the Vaccine Development and Immunovirology Laboratory, leader of an Antibody Development and Immune Cell Isolation Research Team, member of the Rotavirus Research Team, and member of the Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Project. She has also contributed to the Nigerian Immunological Network and participated in national COVID-19 research and strategic response activities.
Her technical expertise includes vaccine formulation and development, ELISA and Western blot immunoassays, PCR, DNA/RNA extraction, antigen design and expression, molecular biology, biosafety, quality assurance, laboratory management, scientific data analysis, grant writing, and project coordination.
Her professional development includes specialized training in immunology techniques, RNA extraction, flow/cytofluorimetry, cell culture, PBMC and monocyte isolation, recombinant DNA technology, bioinformatics, vaccine development, biosafety and biosecurity, and research grant writing. She also participated in doctoral immunology training at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, under a German-African cooperation project in infectiology.
She is an active member of professional organizations including the Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, International AIDS Society, Nigerian Immunology & Infectiology Network, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria, and Nigerian Institute of Management.
Her research contributions include publications in medical biochemistry, biotechnology, infectious diseases, immunology, phytochemistry, toxicology, molecular biology, and therapeutic research. She has also presented scientific work at national and international workshops and conferences and has served as a scientific journal reviewer.
In addition to her scientific career, she has experience in health consultancy and programme coordination, including roles with the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) and the Pan African Alliance of Small and Medium Scale Industries (PAOSMI).
