Presenting Author
Louisiana State University
Elaine Nkwocha is a Doctoral student and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, United States of America, with her research focusing on characterizing and understanding the regulatory effects of a biofilm regulator protein (BifR) on the physiology and fitness of Burkholderia thailandensis. This protein is a member of the Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Regulatory (MarR) protein family and understanding the regulatory effects of the protein is essential for antibacterial agent development.
She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with first-class honors in Microbiology from Madonna University, a Master of Science degree in Public Health from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and a Master of Science degree with distinction in Molecular Biology and Pathology of Viruses from Imperial College London.
Elaine was teaching as a Lecturer in the Department of Biology/Microbiology/Biotechnology Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, before commencing the Ph.D. degree program. She taught Mathematics, Basic Science, and Biology in different secondary schools/colleges and voluntarily in her community in Nigeria and abroad.
Elaine is passionate about helping young people tap into their passion and potential through mentorship, coaching, and teaching. She has mentored and supported several teenagers and youths to achieve academic success, obtain higher grades, and gain admission to different universities. She volunteers for international and local non-governmental organizations/groups where she serves in the roles of a mentor, a trustee at Empowered Sapiens Mulier Initiative (ESMI), board member at the Women Council of Greater Baton Rouge (WCGBR), research officer, diversity ambassador at America my Oyster Association (AMOA), women zonal president, planning and organizing programs, writing articles, facilitating health education classes, self-development seminars, skill acquisition sessions, and coordinating the communication and editorial team.
Elaine launched the “Brave Space with Elaine” online platform in March 2021, where she supports individuals to set and achieve their academic goals. The services rendered on this platform include deliberating and deciding on the course of choice, school of choice, graduate school application process, funding opportunities, writing personal statements, CV reviews, writing emails, preparing for interviews, and other services to help individuals navigate their academic crossroads. The platform employs one-on-one and group mentorships (a graduate group of 24 Nigerian students and an undergraduate group of 51 Nigerian students). Elaine is service-oriented and believes that we all can tap into and unleash our potential.
To bridge the educational gap and help Nigerian children enjoy their right to quality education, the BSWE Foundation will be launched later this year. According to UNESCO/UNICEF, one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is a Nigerian. For the first pioneering scholarship event, partnering with individuals and organizations who share the same values and vision, 50 children who have their parents struggling to pay their fees will be awarded a one-year academic scholarship (2022/2023 session).
She has attended several conferences and seminars where she presented her previous research findings and has taken courses to help her mentor others, interact and communicate with empathy, develop professional relationships, and lead, confronting bias and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusivity.