Florence A. Okafor Biography

Dr. Florence Okafor is a medical microbiologist and Professor of Microbiology at AAMU. Dr. Okafor has mentored several students including graduate students, undergraduate as well as high school students. She is actively involved in research in the areas of Histoplasma, fungal allergens, Biofilms, bio-functionalization and safety of silver and gold nanoparticles. Dr. Okafor’s research focus has been on various aspects of Microbiology, especially as it relates to the environment, health and waste bioconversion. Most of her earlier research was focused on microbial/fungal, pathogenesis, pathogenicity with emphasis on control and production of bioactive substances. She worked on the pathogenesis, ecology, and epidemiology of Histoplasma duboisii in Africa (Nigeria) and its environmental impact.  Lately her research has been focused on antimicrobials and the bio-production of nanoparticles using fungi and plant extracts, characterization, cytotoxicity, and their possible use in biosensors. Dr. Okafor is also doing work on bioconversion of waste materials to energy.  Dr. Okafor has over 35 years’ experience in academia as a researcher, teacher, and departmental administrator.  

Research areas of interest: Microorganisms & Pathogenesis, Health Disparities, Biofilms, Indoor Air Quality, Safety and the Environment: Production of Nano- materials, Science Learning, Pedagogy and Evaluation 

Education

PhD 1995
Medical Microbiology- University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria

STAR Fellow, Health Disparities  - University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth 

MS 1982
Microbiology - Alabama A&M University, Normal Alabama

Postgraduate Diploma in Education & Teaching (PGDE, Distinction) 1976 -University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria

BS 1974
Botany – University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria

Publications

1. Manjula Bomma, Lam Duong, Srinivas Rao Mentreddy, Florence Okafor, Qunying Yuan*, 2021. Comparison of Phytochemical Composition, Free Radical Scavenging Activity, and Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Herbs Against Two Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria. American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences. Vol. 9, No. 3, 2021, pp. 142-150. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbls.20210903.12. Received: April 18, 2021; Accepted: May 7, 2021; Published: June 7, 2021  

2. Adnan A. S. El Khaldy*, Florence Okafor and Alaa M. Abu Shanab 2014. Synthesis, Spectral and Antimicrobial Studies of Bis (Cyclopentadienyl) Titanium (IV) Bis (O,O’-Dialkyl & Alkylenedithiophosphate) Complexes. International Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2014, 4, 339-346. http://www.scirp.org/journal/ijoc http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ijoc.2014.45037  

3. Manjula Bomma, Florence Okafor*, SR Mentreddy, L. Nyochembeng, W. Setzer & B. Vogler Comparison of Methods of Extraction and Antimicrobial Activity of Six Ocimum Species against Human Pathogens. Journal of Agriculture and Life Sciences Vol. 5, No. 2, December 2018 doi:10.30845/jals.v5n2p10 *(Corresponding Author)  

4. Florence Okafor*, Afef Janen , Tatiana Kukhtareva , Vernessa Edwards and Michael Curley 2013 Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles, Their Characterization, Application and Antibacterial Activity. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2013, 10, 5221-5238; doi:10.3390/ijerph10105221  

5. Kadiatou Keita and Florence Okafor* et. al. 2018. MultiWalled Carbon Nanotube Effects on Soil Microbes and Plant Growth. Journal of Nanosciences: Current Research. Vol 3 

DOI - 10.4172/2572-0813.1000123. * Corresponding Author 

6. Ahmad Z, Okafor F, Azim S, Laughlin TF. 2013. ATP synthase: a molecular therapeutic drug target for antimicrobial and antitumor peptides. Curr Med Chem. 2013;20(15):1956-73. DOI: 10.2174/0929867311320150003 http://www.eurekaselect.com/108939/article  

7. Olasunmbo Ajayi, Leonard Williams, Jacob Oluwoye, J. U. Johnson, Florence Okafor, 2011. Epidemiological Approaches to Food Safety, Food Protection Trends. Vol 31, No 9: 560-568  

8. Zulfiqar Ahmad, Florence Okafor, and Thomas F Laughlin 2011. Role of Charged Residues in the Catalytic Sites of Escherichia coli ATP Synthase. Journal of Amino  

Acids 2011():785741 (2011) http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jaa/2011/785741/  

9. Ahmad, Zulfiqar, Ahmad, Mubeen, Okafor, Florence, Jones, Jeanette, Abunameh, Abdelmajeed et al. (2012) "Effect of structural modulation of polyphenolic compounds on the inhibition of Escherichia coli ATP synthase. (Report)". Int. Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 50.3 2012-04-01. 476 (11).  

10. Uzoamaka George-Okafor, Floretta Tasie, Florence Muotoe- Okafor*(2009). Hydrocarbon Degradation Potentials of Indigenous Fungal Isolates from Petroleum Contaminated Soils. Journal of Physical and Natural Sciences Volume 2, Issue 1. *Corresponding Author*  

11. N. Kukhtarev; T. Kukhtareva; F. Okafor (2010). Optical Trapping of Nano- (Micro) Particles by Gradient and Photorefractive Forces. Journal of Holography and Speckle, Volume 5, Number 3, pp. 268 274(7) doi:10.1166/jhs.2009.1025  

12. M. I. Bidartondo et al. (2008) Preserving Accuracy in GenBank. Published 21 March, Science 319, 1616 (2008). DOI: 10.1126/science.319.5870.1616a. https://www.science.org/cgi/content/full/319/5870/1616a/DC1 #197. Florence Okafor,197  

13. Tasie, F.O., Okafor, F.A. and Onochie, C.C. Evaluation of Air Bacterial Flora in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. 2007. J. Sci. Engr. Tech. 14 (3) 7686-7690.  

14. N. Kukhtarev, T.Kukhtareva, D. Edwards, F. Okafor, J. Jones, J. Wang (2006) Laser photopheresis and pulsed electrophoresis for microorganism’s manipulation, Proc Of SPIE, Vol.6314, p. 6314-03-1- 8  

15. Muotoe-Okafor, FA and Gugnani, HC (2002). Enzyme profile of potentially pathogenic fungi. Afr. J Mycol. And Biotech. 9:17-20.  

16. Eric Schott, Wolf Pecher, Florence Okafor, and Gerardo R. Vasta. (2004). The Protistan parasite Perkinsus marinus is resistant to Selected reactive Oxygen species Experimental Parasitology. 105: 232-240  

17. Muotoe-Okafor, F.A. Gugnani, H.C. Gugnani, A. and Okafor G. (2000). Antibodies to antigens of Histoplasma, Blastomyces and Candida in HIV patients and carriers in Nigeria... Mycoses.43: 73-75. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10948814  

18. Muotoe-Okafor, F.A. and Ezejiofor, E.N. (1998). Recycling Agro-wastes: production of ethanol from rice husk waste. J.Sci.Engr.Tech.5: 1245-1260.  

19. Gugnani, H.C. & Muotoe-Okafor, F.A. (1997). African Histoplasmosis: A review. Rev.Iberoam Micol.14: 155-159. http://www.reviberoammicol.com/1997-14/155159.pdf  

20. R.C.Agu, M-Okafor, E. Ezejifor et al. (1997). Combined Heat Treatment and Acid hydrolysis of Cassava Grate Waste (CGW) biomass for ethanol production. Waste Management.17: 91-96.  

BOOKS/LABORATORY MANUALS  

21. Okafor, F. A. (2007) Symbiosis Custom Lab: Principles of Immunology Lab (0536246246)  

22. Ilozumba, P. Mbaekwe, E and Muotoe-Okafor, F. (1989) Biology for Senior School. Bk1. Jet Publishers, Onitsha Nigeria. 227 pages  

23. Jones, J and Okafor, F.A. (1984). Introductory Mycology Lab Manual. Alabama A&M Univ. Huntsville, USA. 120Pages  

CHAPTER IN BOOKS:  

24. Muotoe-Okafor, F.A. (1989). Genetically Transmitted diseases. In: Readings in Natural and Applied Sciences. Mbaekwe, E.I. et al. (Eds.), Meks Unique Pub. Awka Vol.1: 63-67.  

25. Muotoe-Okafor, F.A. (1983). Biotechnology and the Developing Countries. In: Science and Society. Okeke, G.C. ed. Nuel Cent Publishers Awka. pp 70-75.  

26. Chapter in a Book “New Visions in Biological Science Vol.3” Chapter 9 Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.2021. Kadiatou Keita & Florence Okafor: 125-141 Print ISBN: 978-93-5547-045-4, eBook ISBN: 978-93-5547-046-1  

SELECT ABSTRACTS/ PRESENTATIONS/ CONFERENCE PAPERS:  

•   Iyinoluwa Sofowora, Florence Okafor, Ernst Cebert, Ebony Weems, and Qunying Yuan. “Determination Of Retted Hemp Microbiota Using Culture Dependent and DNA Sequencing Method”. 2022 Virtual Cannabis Research Conference August 8 -10, 2022. CannabisResearchConference.net  
• AdrianRhoden, and florence Okafor (2023) The Effects Of E-Cigarette Vapor On Bacterial Growth. AAMU STEM DAY 2023. (1st Position poster) 
• Iyinoluwa Sofowora, Florence Okafor, and Kadiatou Keita, 2021 AAMU STEM Day Presentation: Bioactivity studies on Cannabis sativa L.  
• Hancock, N., Okafor, F., & Lemke D (2019) Proposed study of the impact of spatial and temporal disturbances on stream microbial biodiversity. ARD Research Symposium 2019: Making Critical Contributions to Rural Prosperity and Challenges in Food and Agriculture. Jacksonville, FL 3/30/2019-3/4/2019  
• Kadiatou Keita and Florence Okafor. 2017. MultiWalled Carbon Nanotube Effects on Soil Microbes and Plant Growth. Association of Southeastern Biologists 78th Annual Meeting Montgomery AL March 29 – April 1, 2017  
• Phillips, C, Lemke, D. & Okafor, F. (2017) Instream Health of Limestone Bay Watershed, AL: A Study of Bacterial Contamination. National Council for Science and the Environment Conference, 2017. Washington, D.C.,  
• Kadiatou Keita and Florence Okafor. 2016. The effects of Carbon Nanotubes on plant growth and select Soil Microorganisms. 4th Annual NanoBio Summit hosted by Auburn University, October 13-14  
• Hancock, N. D., F. Okafor and T. D. Ranatunga. 2017. Effects of Poultry Litter Biochar on Soil Bacterial Community Structure, Bio-solubilization of Phosphorus and Soil pH. ARD Research Symposium 2017, Atlanta, Georgia  
• Latrescia Albritton*, Kadiatou Keita and Florence Okafor. 2016. Isolation and Identification of Bacteria Associated with the Bluegill Fish (Lepomis macrochirus). AAMU STEM Day 2016.