Growing up in Nigeria, one of Chidozie Ojobor’s most visceral memories was the death of his older sister, Ginika, who died of typhoid fever in 1999.

“Her death caused me to want to understand what typhoid meant, the organism that caused the disease, how it was disseminated and so on,” says Ojobor, who would go on to study microbiology at the University of Nigeria.

His curiosity about infectious diseases became a passion, and his master’s education led to the study of phage therapy – using viruses to treat bacteria.

In particular, he uses “tailocins” – built from parts of viruses – to defeat the bugs.

“Thinking that my sister may have been infected by a resistant strain that wouldn't bow to antibiotics that were administered to her got me more interested in phage therapy,” says Ojobor, a PhD candidate in the lab of Alan Davidson, a professor of molecular genetics in the Faculty of Medicine.

Ojobor set out to understand the molecular processes of disease, with an interest in diagnosis and how diseases metabolize in the body.

His drive to combat infectious disease and, subsequently, superbugs, got the attention of MPOWER Financing, a Washington, D.C.-based company that offers loans to international students. Ojobor was named one of four winners of their Global Citizen scholarship this past spring.

He is the first Canadian university student to win the scholarship. He was picked by MPOWER staff out of 1,121 eligible applications – which they cite as a record number of applicants.

The $5,000 scholarships were awarded on the strength of applicants' essay submissions. Ojobor’s submission identified the need to address the threat of superbugs.

“Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, if left unchecked, would cause 10 million deaths yearly, worldwide, by 2050 [according to a CDC report]. So, there is great need to search for alternatives to the conventional antibiotics,” he wrote. “In the last 3 years of my PhD in Canada, I have identified novel bacteria-killing entities, called tailocins, which I have successfully used to kill resistant bacteria, in the laboratory. Interestingly, in any case that the bacteria then develop resistance, I can genetically engineer the tailocins to overpower the resistant superbugs.”

With tailocins, Ojobor has been able to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the lab. Ojobor’s hope is that he can genetically engineer them to overpower superbugs as cases arise – with treatments in the form of pills and other therapies.

“That, for me, is a high point of the research – that we are able to keep up with that [antibiotic] resistance,” says Ojobor, who joined Davidson’s lab in 2015. “The potential for the research is great and is, for me, really interesting.”

Davidson is full of praise for Ojobor, who he says is "a higly appreciated member of our group.

“Chidozie is a very motivated student with a strong drive to make a difference with his research. He is making important discoveries,” says Davidson, whose lab focuses on antibiotic-resistant bacteria and phage therapies. “He also is a wonderfully warm and engaging person.”

Ojobor is thankful to be named a scholarship winner. He is also grateful for his professor, who has been “super supportive” since he arrived at U of T.

“I think about him as that person who is pivotal to my success,” says Ojobor. “He’s led me in the right direction. We’ve had a great relationship.”

As Ojobor’s education nears its end next year, he is thinking about what to do next with his research. He is leaning towards a public health focus, applying his work to developing countries like Nigeria. He is also considering starting a company “to see how we can take what we are already doing now in the lab and take it to the next level.”

Ojobor is happy to be funnelling his passion into something about which his sister would be proud.

“I feel great and encouraged that I am contributing to this field and, one day, [will] prevent many young and promising Ginikas from dying from resistantfrom dying from resistant bacteria.”


SOURCE:
https://www.utoronto.ca/news/u-t-phd-student-wins-global-scholarship-combating-antibiotic-resistant-superbugs

Igbo amaka

Dozie my man...he got distiction again in his masters

2bedroom flat for rent @port harcourt , Ada George axis for 350k, 400k, 450,500 . Hit me up if you are interested 07066196319

Good stuff

Great lion.



Naija dey hustle abeg.

Later one man will say they are lazy..

selemempe:
Dozie my man...he got 1st class again in his masters

There's no First Class in Masters.

PatrickOkunima:


There's no First Class in Masters.

you never can tell. That guy you quoted might be from another planet

Handsome with brains...congrats

Igbo Amaka

Brains

Nigeria amaka..nice one

Na only person way no know no know

In terms of quality UNN rangs up there amounts the top 2 university in nigeria

Na just infrastructure dey kill is for ranking

Proud to be a super lion

.

Positive news will be a good introduction... Especially those that boosts patriotism


Something Nigerians of today have NONe!


Even our so called leaders are devoid of patriotism... so it's nice to see positivity back to back on this platform this morning....

Ok Ooooooh

partnerbizz5:
Great lion.



Naija dey hustle abeg.

Later one man will say they are lazy..

Do you mind that useless impostor.

Lol... Una don start

I'm attracted to intelligent fellows. Keep it up, bro.

selemempe:
Dozie my man...he got 1st class again in his masters

Why the publicity for your ignorance?

PatrickOkunima:


There's no First Class in Masters.

What is the system of grading at Msc level

1st time my post is hitting front page. I dedicate it to all the hardworking Nigerian youths.

All hail the Super Lion ~ Dozie

My fellow super lion doing us proud. Keep it up.
Only 2 universities in Nigeria, UNN and others.

UNN First Class graduates are known to make waves once they leave the shore of Nigeria. Prof. John Ataguba of UCT is one of them.

Mires:
UNN First Class graduates are known to make waves once they leave the shore of Nigeria. Prof. John Ataguba of UCT is one of them.

Distinction. Pass. Fail

This is what happens when one studies a course they have strong passion for, one with something that drives them to, and not because it is the only means to getting a great job.

Until the economic environment of this country is thriving enough for individuals to go for courses they're passionate about, I'm afraid there won't be any scientific breakthroughs from this region anytime soon.

Congrats to the guru. it's rare to find the blackman on the positive side of international news these days.