LECTURERS

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Dr. Linda Strubbe is a postdoctoral fellow at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics in Toronto, Canada, where she studies massive black holes in galactic nuclei. She received a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, USA and a B.S. with honors Astrophysics from the California Institute of Technology, USA.

She is deeply interested in international science education, and has done astronomy outreach at home in California and Toronto, and abroad in Guatemala and South Africa. Linda is thrilled to have the opportunity to share astronomy in Nigeria!


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Dr. Chibueze is a Lecturer II at the Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nigeria. He teaches first year undergraduate courses. He had his B.Sc and M.Sc from the University of Nigeria, and proceeded to Japan for his PhD under the Japanese Government Scholarship. Currently, he is a member of many professional societies like the Royal Astronomical Society, American Astronomical Society, Astronomical Society of Japan, African Astronomical Society.

He has published a good number of research papers in international journals (mostly in the Astrophysical Journal, ApJ), and serve as a reviewer (referee) for the Astronomical Journal, AJ), and will be pleased to lecture at the summer school.


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Prof. Pius Okeke is a Professor of High Energy Astrophysics. The First Ph.D of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is author of most popular physics text books in Nigeria, and has published over 70 articles in reputable journals. Prof. Okeke is Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Cambridge UK, he has collaborated with M .J.Rees, Japan, USA, S.Africa, China, etc. He was also a pioneer of NASRDA and first Director of the Center for Basic Space Science. He was first President of Nigerian Astronomical Society, and current President of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS).

Prof. Okeke has supervised over 25 Ph.D Students in Astronomy and Atmospheric science, he has mentored and touched many lives in Physics and Astronomy. He is Fellow Nigerian Academy of Science, an International scholar of great repute, recognized by UN for his contributions. Currently a consultant to NASRDA & Member of the Technical Advisory Committee. He has been recommended Professor Emeritus of the University of Nigeria.


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PROFESSOR FRANCISCA NNEKA OKEKE, is a Professor of Physics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her Post Doctoral work, was carried out at the University of Tokyo, Japan. PhD in Atmospheric Physics, MSc Geophysics, Med, PGDE. Member, National Space Council of Nigeria, First female Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, UNN, 2008-2010. Member, ANSTI Governing Council. She is Laureate, 2013, for Women in Science for Physical Sciences, L’Oreal-UNESCO, and Fellow, Nigeria Academy of Science (FAS), Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Physics (FNIP). Fellow, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science (FJSPS). She also has a merit Award, 2002, as the first female Professor in Science and Engineering in UNN.
Prof. Okeke has served as external examiner to several Universities. She has successfully supervised many PhD and MSc candidates. She has visited many institutions for research collaborations,
published over 72 papers in reputable Journals, and member of many professional bodies.

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Dr. Wolfgang Kerzendorf is a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Astronomy and Astrophyics at the University of Toronto, Canada. He studies a variety of exploding stars focusing on the explosion of stellar corpses called Type Ia supernovae. Prior to coming to Canada, he received a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the Australian National University in Canberra (Australia).

Wolfgang has a long standing interest in science communication and outreach. In particular, he is interested in throwing new technology in the mix. Teaching at the summer school in Nigeria will give a unique experience to learn about science teaching and learning in a different culture.


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Valerie is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, a teacher, coach (volleyball and badminton) and mother of three children, now in their twenties. While teaching in California, Valerie worked at the Lawrence Hall of Science, designing and testing curriculum to teach the science of earthquakes. She traveled throughout the state providing in-service training for teachers and members of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency.
She was also the business director for a tutorial company, in charge of operations, payroll and coordinating marketing strategies. Currently, Valerie works with two university students with learning disabilities. She is looking forward to working with West African students at the summer school.


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Dr. Duy Cuong Nguyen is a postdoctoral fellow at the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on the search for and characterization of exoplanets and their hosts, the origin and diversity of planetary systems, and the formation of stars and brown dwarfs. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, and has held academic positions at the University of Florida, Stockholm University, and the University of Rochester. He has also been a licensed professional engineer since 2001.

Dr. Nguyen enjoys discussing astronomy and science to a wide range of audiences; and he is grateful for the opportunity to teach in Nigeria, and meet with inquiring minds at the summer school.


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Jielai Zhang is a Ph.D. student in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto. She studies galaxy evolution and cosmology to try and figure out how galaxies formed into the present day spirals, ellipticals and other strange shapes. She received a B.Sc. in Physics and Mathematics as well as a B.E. Hon. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Sydney, Australia and a International Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London, England. Jielai is full of questions about everything. She was lured into science because it answered lots of questions and gave evidence for why these answers were right… and the answers were wonderful! She loves research and communicating the beauty of what she learns. Jielai looks forward to sharing astronomy with fellow knowledge seekers in Nigeria!

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Dr. Patrice Okouma is a postdoctoral fellow with the Astrophysics group at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. He also heads the society for astronomy and space science in Gabon. He received a PhD in Applied Mathematics (major in cosmology) from the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa. He holds a B.Sc and M.Sc in Astrophysics and Space Science from UCT as well as a B.Sc in Mathematics from Metz University in France.

He currently works at the interface between theory and modelling in cosmology. His interests include the application of probabilistic data analysis techniques on large data-sets to understand dark energy as well as cosmological forecasting. He has a growing interest on dark matter investigations and in empowering citizen science. He is excited to actively participate to this year’s summer school.