Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Malachy Ifeanyi Okeke, Ph.D. – Chair
Contact: malachy.okeke@aun.edu.ng
Office Location: Peter Okocha Hall – Room 212
The Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences (NES) investigates the biological and natural worlds with the aim of providing advanced understanding of biological systems and developing innovative solutions that advance human, animal, and ecosystem health and sustainability.
The department interrogates the biological world through advanced interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research and education.
The mission of the NES Department is to deliver an American-styled education that empowers students with the skillsets needed to be at the frontiers of discoveries and innovation in life sciences.
The department’s vision is to produce globally competitive, world-class scientists who can provide innovative and effective solutions to the existential problems of infectious and non-communicable diseases, ecosystem health, climate change, and global warming.
Currently, the department has six concentration areas from which students can choose:
- Bioinformatics
- Biomedical Sciences
- Biostatistics
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
Our Programs
The department currently offers a Bachelor of Science in Natural and Environmental Sciences.
Six concentrations are currently available within the department:
- Bioinformatics
- Biomedical Sciences
- Biostatistics
- Conservation Biology
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
Undergraduates pursuing majors in other disciplines can enrich their academic experience by completing a Biomedical Science minor, Conservation Science minor, Environment and Health minor, or Public Health minor offered through the Department. Find out more here .
Coming soon: M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Life and Environmental Sciences – Biological and Biomedical Sciences Concentration.
The proposed Ph.D. in Life and Environmental Sciences (BBS Concentration) is designed to produce world-class scientists and academics with advanced understanding of biosciences and biomedicine, strong research competencies, and pedagogic excellence.
The program will adopt a multidisciplinary approach and draw experimental methods from four research pathways:
- Infection Biology and Immunology
- Biomolecular Sciences
- Cell Science and Developmental Biology
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Our Faculty
Chair
Our Research
AUN’s Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences is distinguished by its vibrant and impactful research culture, with faculty, students, and alumni co-authoring numerous high-quality publications in internationally recognized journals.
Their work spans global health, infectious diseases, environmental microbiology, genomics, and public health challenges including COVID-19, cholera, monkeypox, and non-communicable diseases in conflict-affected populations.
A defining strength of the department is its strong collaborative network, engaging with leading international institutions such as CIRCB Cameroon, the Arctic University of Norway, the Robert Koch Institute in Germany, and Charles Darwin University in Australia.
These partnerships support student training, including international research internships, and foster cutting-edge interdisciplinary research.
With ongoing efforts to secure major research funding and expand global collaborations, the department continues to position itself at the forefront of scientific innovation and capacity building.
More Information
Contact: malachy.okeke@aun.edu.ng