Ugochukwu will complete research at Nigeria’s Federal
University of Technology (FUT) in Minna. Her research will focus on
ethnopharmacology, the study of ethnic groups and their use of drugs. She will
also conduct research on bioactive compounds and their role as leads for drug
discovery, and uses for traditional medicine in diabetes therapy.
Ugochukwu has been researching diabetes since her tenure began at FAMU in 1998. Her expertise includes the use of biochemical and gene technology techniques in deciphering the underlying mechanisms in the pathophysiology of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, congestive heart failure and colon cancer. Her research focus also includes finding effective preventive strategies and therapies for these diseases
“Diabetes is considered by the World Health Organization and
International Diabetes Foundation as one of the major threats to human health
in the 21st century,” said Ugochukwu. “The Fulbright grant will give me the
opportunity to collaborate with researchers at the FUT Minna Center for Genetic
Engineering and Biotechnology and the Global Institute for Bio-exploration to
scientifically screen and identify anti-diabetic bioactive phytonutrients in
indigenous Nigerian plants.”
According to Ugochukwu, this collaborative research could
accelerate the discovery and development of new phytopharmaceuticals for
diabetes therapy.
Her passion for diabetes research began while she was
working on her Ph.D. in Nigeria. Her mission then was to find a fundamental
human chronic disease that didn’t have a cure. Her research ultimately led her
to diabetes.
“I have this inner quest to find some form of therapy for
diabetes,” Ugochukwu said. “Especially because I have done research on the
underlying root causes, which are oxidative stress and inflammation. So,
discovering anything that will quell those things will be key.”
“I work with chronic diseases like hypertension, heart
disease, congestive heart failure, colon cancer and the like, and underneath
them all you see diabetes surfacing its ugly head,” she added.
In addition to her research, Ugochukwu will teach classes in
biochemical pharmacology, clinical biochemistry and biochemistry laboratory
including virtual proteomics exercises.
She attributes much of her success in research to the
support of the FAMU research community, especially her students.
“I am elated about my selection as a Fulbright grantee,”
Ugochukwu said. “It’s quite an honor to be recognized by this prestigious body.
However, I must attribute this to the collaborative research work my graduate
students and I have conducted on chronic diseases over the years at FAMU.”