Okafor Ifeanyi Gabriel

Biography

Gabriel I. Okafor (PhD) is a Professor of Food Processing/Engineering in the Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. He is a distinguished graduate of Odessa National Academy of Food Technologies, Odessa, Ukraine (ONAFT), having studied Food Technology with specialization in Food Process Engineering in his MSc. and Ph.D degrees obtained in 1991 and 1994, respectively. Prior to joining the University of Nigeria, in 2006, he worked in Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (1994-1996) as an Assistant Catering Supervisor, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (1997-2002) as a Principal Research Officer, and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as an Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer (Local Food Product Registration Unit (2002-2006)). He is a Visionary Leader who served as Member of University Senate (2012 – date), Member Senate Exam. Sub-Committee, Associate Dean - Faculty of Agriculture (1stAugust 2012 - July 31st 2014), Chairman, Development of Guideline for Scoring Patents Committee, Member, Faculty of Agriculture Committees (Consultancy, Time-Table Committee, Auxiliary Project Committee, Entrance Board, Auxiliary Project, Golden Jubilee Celebration, 10th Anniversary of Agro-Science,Agric. Week Planning) Chairman - Garri Processing Committee, Chairman, Publicity/Fund Raising Sub-committee 10th Agro-science Anniversary and Chairman, Faculty Lecture Series. Member-Departmental Committees on Curriculum Review, Research Grant, Timetable, Publications, Appraisal, Auxiliary Project/Pilot Plant, Tenders Board, Seminar and Entrance Board. He served as Visiting Scholar in the Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as well as at Madonna University. He is an Innovative scientist whose research works produced over 84 scientific publications which include patents, journal articles, proceedings, chapters in books, technology innovations, and technical reports amongst others. He is a scholar of extraordinary insight, whose five outstanding innovations are currently undergoing patenting processes. His research interests are in the following areas: food processing/storage, risk assessment, food regulation, food fortification, food product research and development, nanotechnology, canning, extrusion, biological studies for food evaluation, nutraceuticals and herbal teas. He is a Reviewer of several learned journals, Associate Editor of Nigerian Food Journal and Member, Editorial Board of Journal of Dietitians Association of Nigeria. He is a proud recipient of several scholarships and various awards as follows: Federal Government of Nigeria undergraduate Scholarship award to USSR (September 1985-July 1991); Certificate of Merit for research excellence by Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, for excellence in canning local food products (issued 3/2/2000);Third World Academy of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship Award to CFTRI, Mysore, India (June 2002 - Dec. 2002); APV 2003 Seligman Fellowship Award in Food Engineering, tenable at University of Reading, Food Standard Agency, UK and other Food establishments (Feb. 2004 - June 2004). He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Member - West African Association of Food Science & Technology, International Union of Food Science & Technology, Society of Chemical Industry, UK (SCI), New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) and Nigerian Agricultural Research Policy Network (NAPRNet). He served as Fellow of Royal Institute of Public Health, UK for many years. He is a dedicated volunteer and philanthropist who generously devoted his time in serving NIFST as Assistant National Secretary (2005-2007), National Secretary (2007-2009), NIFST Foundation Secretary (2009-2011), Resource Person at Chapter and National NIFST Training programmes. His hobbies include basketball, reading and writing. He is happily married with two children.

Research Interest

Agriculture