Prof Larry Obi holds a terminal PhD degree in Medical Microbiology , obtained at the College of Medicine , University of Lagos , Nigeria. He has taught in different Universities in Nigeria , Zimbabwe , South Africa and served as visiting Professor to the Medical School , Makerere University , Uganda ; Medical School , University of Malawi, Malawi and Medical School , Tohoku University , Sendai , Japan . Prof Larry Obi has served at all levels of academia : Head of Department of Microbiology in two Nigerian Universities; founding Head of Department of Microbiology , University of Venda ; Deputy Dean , School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and later Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Natural, Environmental and Integrated Studies , University of Venda ; Director , School of Agriculture and Life Sciences , University of South Africa . He also served as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Research in two South African Universities, Walter Sisulu University and the University of Fort Hare. He, at various times, acted as Vice Chancellor in both Universities. Prof Obi has supervised several postgraduate students, presented scientific papers at local and international conferences and published extensively in numerous journals. He served on the board of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions ( SACNASP ) and the Board of the National Health Laboratory Service ( NHLS) . He is a member of the Specialist Committee of the National Research Foundation Rating Panel for Health Sciences , Specialist Committee for the FLAIR International Post-doctoral Fellowship Programme under the aegis of the African Academy of Sciences , Kenya and the Royal Society ,United Kingdom. His academic pedigree is further exemplified by being the Principal and Country Investigator of a project on Family Planning in the context of HIV/AIDS , Principal Investigator of the Socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS in South Africa , funded by the Australian Agency for International Development ( AuSAID ) , World Health Organization ( WHO) Expert Committee Member on Campylobacters and Campylobacteriosis, among others . Prof Obi is a rated researcher and a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa ( ASSAf).
