Council
Meet The Council
Dr Felicity Kalu
Dr. Felicity Agwu Kalu is a Lecturer in Midwifery at the School of Nursing & Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). Before joining QUB in 2020, she served as a lecturer in Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Kalu earned her PhD in Midwifery from University College Dublin (UCD) School of Nursing, Midwifery, & Health Systems and has extensive experience facilitating learning for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
At QUB, Dr. Kalu holds several leadership roles, including Professional Midwifery Lead for Simulation, and works with colleagues across the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences. She is a member of the Faculty Intersim Governance Group. Dr Kalu also serves as the Deputy Programme Lead for the BSc Midwifery programme. She is also a member of the Staff Development Committee. She previously served as a disability officer and a member of the Steering Committee for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
Dr. Kalu’s research interests encompass all areas of maternity care and healthcare, with a specific focus on maternal and newborn health and well-being, global health, and perinatal bereavement care. Her research expertise includes qualitative research, quantitative research, mixed methods research, and quality improvement projects.
Dr. Kalu is dedicated to advancing the field of midwifery and improving healthcare outcomes through her teaching, leadership, and research endeavours.
Dr Felicity Kalu, VP Finance
Dr. Loveth Owhor - V president
Dr. Loveth Owhor is a BioResource Technologist, and Medical researcher. Her area of research is in Reproductive medicine, specialising on the female reproductive system where she investigated the novel work titled ‘ Inflammation in the Bovine Fallopian Tube: Effects on Tubal Functional Morphology and Gameto-Maternal Interaction’ utilising Live Cell Imaging. Her novel work has been published by Nature Scientific Reports Journal.
She is Experienced in qualitative data collection, documentation and analysis.
Technical skills
• Ability to understand and comply with standard laboratory protocols and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
• Data collection, data entry, transcribing, data analysis & writing up reports
• Cell culture and sterile techniques
• Sample collection and preparation for microscopic imaging and analysis
• Molecular Biology techniques including Assays and Western blot
• Carrying out investigations on samples that enter laboratory and writing reports
• Developing new methods of investigations and keeping up to date with diagnostic innovations
Dr. Gift Sotonye-Frank, PhD, FHEA, fCMgr,
General Secretary
Early Career Academic . Researching in the area of gender, sexuality, equality and human rights of teenage pregnant school girls.
Dr Bari. Nkem Itanyi, VP Membership
With over two decades of experience in research and teaching, my work approach is characterised by meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that tasks are completed with precision. I hold a Phd in Intellectual Property (IP) Law from Queen’s University Belfast, an LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law from University College London (UCL), and an LLB (Hons) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I am also a Barrister and Solicitor of Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
My research interests lie in Intellectual Property Law (IP), with a particular focus on copyright law, culture, and emerging economies. I employ empirical methods to examine the challenges and opportunities presented by copyright law for the creative industries, particularly the film industry, in Nigeria. I contribute to the policy debate and legal reform in this area, enhancing understanding and awareness of the rights and responsibilities of creators and users.
As an award-winning and seasoned academic and a TETFund scholar, I was awarded the Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship for Phd research at one of the top 20% ranked universities, specifically at a prestigious Russell Group-ranked university in the United Kingdom in 2018.
I write and continue to explore various aspects of Intellectual Property (IP) Law, contributing to reputable journals along the way. I serve as a reviewer for leading journals indexed in Scopus and Clarivate Web of Science.
Currently, I have a co-edited text titled “Decolonising Intellectual Property Law: An Afrocentric Approach,” which is in press and set to be published by Routledge in May 2025. Furthermore, my monograph, “Copyright Infringement in Relation to the Film Industry in Developing Economies; Nigeria as a Case Study,” is scheduled for publication in the last quarter of 2025.
I take pride in possessing excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and I have earned respect as a conference speaker. I have participated in both national and international conferences, and I have a solid record of academic scholarship. Recently, I was honoured to present my research at the first Intellectual Property (IP) and Africa Conference held at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in November 2024. I contributed a chapter to an edited text published by Harvard University, which is currently in press. Additionally, I wrote a chapter for an edited volume that showcases selected papers from the Intellectual Property and Technical Cooperation in Africa: Law and Policy Conference, published as an open-access title by Cambridge University Press.
Dr Bar Bruno Igwe, VP Walfare and Communication
Senior Legal Researcher (AP) at Department of Justice/Barrister-at-Law
Dr. Toluwani Akaehomen PhD AFHEA, VP2 Student Affairs
Leadership, Learning & People Development Consultant | Inspirational Speaker| Researcher| I help organisations & professionals address issues of skills gaps, leadership development & enhancing performance
Dr John Nutekpor, VP Fundrasiing.
Dr. John Nutekpor is a scholar, educator and Performing Arts Practitioner with experienced skills as an event curator, musician, and dancer. He holds an MA in festive arts and PhD in Arts Practice from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Ireland. His research is focused on exploring Irish – Ghanaian cultural relationships with sustainable models of cultural integration. He has presented academic and performing arts workshops at national and international music and dance conferences over the past fifteen years. His experience in working with African migrant communities in Ireland played a crucial role in developing a festival called Afro-Irish festival. In recognition of his contributions to organising and curating, John has received several grants and awards including Ireland’s community integration grant 2023.
His works have supported the development of networks between the African community in Ireland, including educational and community-based initiatives. John’s recent research works are focused on Participatory and Arts-Based Methods Involving Migrants in Health Research. He is the initiator and course director of African drumming and Songs and Gabla ensembles at IIMS.
Dr Sam Ogwu, VP Community Liaison
PhD in Statistical Modelling.
With several years experience in data Science, Pharmaceutical Bio-statistics expertise in area of SAS programming, HEOR and Clinical trial Global Statistical Team Lead.
Completed a PhD in Statistical Modelling and Sampling Methodology using SAS, R, Python, SPSS, MINITAB, Genstat, WINBUG, VB and SQL statistical packages for data Extraction, Load and Transformation from multiple sources and for data analysis. Innovative and highly experienced in advanced analytics and data visualization expert, 10+ years’ data scientist experience; passionate about using data to drive business solutions and commercial insights.
Expert in advanced analytical and data mining techniques used including machine learning (Supervised and unsupervised), multivariate and conditional logistic regression modelling, Mixed effect models, Cluster analysis (latent class, K-means, Hierarchical cluster), CART decision trees, Principal component analysis, Factor analysis, Factor segmentation, Structural Equation Modelling, Times series, Bayesian models, Market basket analysis, Survival analysis, missing data imputation, Multi-channel attribution modelling, Marketing mix modelling , propensity scoring etc.
Experience with Tableau for data exploration and visualization.
Experience with writing programs including complex SQL to identify patterns in data, extract anomaly in data, analyse and disseminate statistical data in visualization platforms.
Experience with Data mining, data management, statistical analysis, market research, Machine learning and predictive modelling.
Always willing to learn from others and impact knowledge to the team members.
Competent with most Microsoft computer programmes (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access)
Good interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
Experience with Website design, PC maintenance and installation
Dr. MARY TAIWO AJIDE, VP 1 Student Affairs
Dr. Mary Taiwo Ajide is a Chemical Engineer with diverse experience across refineries, power plants, drug regulatory agencies, higher education, and tech consulting. She is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University College Dublin (UCD), School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, specializing in climate change mitigation, renewable energy, and advanced machine learning techniques combined with Density Functional Theory (DFT) to investigate the electronic, structural, and dynamical properties of materials. Her research contributes to cutting-edge applications in catalysis, AI hardware, electronics, and energy storage systems.
She holds a PhD (2023) in Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering and an MEngSc (2019) from University College Dublin, as well as a First-Class BEng (2015) in Chemical Engineering from Igbinedion University Okada (IUO).
Beyond academia, Mary is a STEM education advocate, serving as a Girls Advisory Council member at Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN), where she promotes female entrepreneurship and equal access to education in Africa. She has been honoured by Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for her contributions to anti-drug awareness campaigns.
Her interest in business and technology led her to work with Girls in Tech, Dublin, as a business data analyst, and she earned a certificate in Business Analytics from Harvard Business School Online. She also holds a professional diploma in Transversal Skills from UCD’s Innovation Academy and Technological University Dublin.
Mary currently serves as an Advisory Council Member at Harvard Business Review and consults for emerging tech start-ups, combining her passion for engineering, innovation, AI, and social impact.
Omeokwe Faith Precious MSN, RN , VP2 student relations
Passionate nurse and a PhD candidate
Dr Ebuh Joseph, Founding Member and First Chairperson of AfSAI ( 2018 - 2021)
A race relations consultant, Career specialist & Life Coach who addresses Social Justice issues and advocates for equality. I am a Career Development Consultant at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). I worked in UCD in a similar role, and, before this, with Business in the Community (BITC) as a Training & Employment Officer for 9 years providing guidance to migrants from over 73 nationalities to access the labour market. I am also a lecturer & coordinator of the first Black studies module in UCD and Sociology lecturer in TCD’s MPhil race, ethnicity and conflict; race ethnicity and identities. My background is a degree in Microbiology. I went on to study Professional Counselling and I am IACP accredited (2010).
Research topic: An exploration of the experiences of Black African Men in their transition into the Irish workforce.
I completed a PhD. at UCD School of Social Justice, Equality Studies (2012 -2015). Research topic- Racial Stratification in the Irish Labour Market: A comparative study of differential labour market outcomes through the Counter-stories of Spanish, Polish and Nigerian migrants in Ireland.
Research Question-‘How does racial stratification operate and how does it influence the disparity in socioeconomic outcome among migrants
Data Source: Irish CSO 2011 Stats; EPIC 2009-2011 Database (N=679), 32 interviews and CRT.
I am author of Becoming Unforgettable & the hard hitting Novel Trapped; Prison Without Walls. I spend most of my free time empowering people through community initiatives, I serve as CEO & seminar speaker for The Unforgettable Women’s Network, columnist Dublin Inquirer on race; and African voice newspaper, founding member African women writers in Ireland
Specialties: Black Studies, Career Guidance, Training, motivation, psychometrics, intercultural/diversity training, research & consulting on Race relations, women & equality
Georgina Nnamani, VP 1 Student relations
Doctoral Researcher at Manchester Institute of Education
Dr. Charles Nwankire - President 2021 - 2024
Dr. Charles Nwankire possesses a range of skills in the areas of analytics and strategic leadership. He has experience working as a Data Scientist in various fields including Treasury Services, Wholesale Payments, Fraud Analytics, Market Research, Customer Analytics, and Data Visualization. Dr. Nwankire is also adept at coaching and mentoring teams of analysts. He is known for his excellent communication skills and for being innovative and entrepreneurial.
Expertise:
– Analytics and strategic leadership
– Data Scientist / Treasury Services /
– Wholesale Payments /
– Fraud Analytics / Market Research /
– Customer Analytics / Data visualization
– Coaching and mentoring team of analysts
– Excellent communicator / Innovative / Entrepreneurial
– Deep learning / Artificial intelligence / Project management
Dr. David Nyakule, Vice President 2021 - 2024
David has a PhD from Dublin City University and has conducted research on the political and development trajectories of African states, in addition to holding several degrees from other universities. He has taught International Development and African Society, and has presented at numerous conferences on African political and development issues, and co-founded the Mandela Global Development Debate for Irish third-level students.
Prior to the Fellowship, David was a teaching fellow for International Development at Kimmage Development Studies Centre and Maynooth University, focusing on the role of business, NGOs and state in development and on Africa and the international system. During this time, he was also a fellow at the Institute of Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction and taught at the Centre of Business, Society and Sustainability at Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin City University, and the Open University of Ireland on the topics of African society and doing business in Africa. With a research focus on development in African states, he has presented at several conferences, including a 2014 special symposium to mark 20 years of South Africa’s end of apartheid and return to democracy. David is also published in many journals and contributes regular reviews on African political and development issues.
Through his work, he has built strong relationships with NGOs in the Irish development education sector. With a view to engage students in local and global development issues, David co-founded and is the coordinator of the Mandela Global Development Debate for Irish third-level students.
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