University of South Africa | South Africa
Dr. Chinenyenwa Fortune Chukwuneme is a dedicated researcher in biology and biotechnology whose work spans microbial ecology, metagenomics, and drug discovery. She earned her PhD in Biology from North-West University, South Africa, focusing on metagenomic analyses of microbial communities and functional genes in maize rhizosphere soils. She also holds an MSc in Biology (cum laude) from the same institution, where she studied the role of actinomycetes in alleviating drought stress in maize, and earlier completed degrees in Microbiology and Industrial Chemistry. Her professional journey includes roles as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of South Africa, where she investigates the therapeutic potential of Berberis vulgaris alkaloids against human and viral protein targets, and as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Vaal University of Technology, where she applied advanced sequencing technologies to cancer research. She has also contributed to malaria drug target discovery as a Research Associate at North-West University and published extensively in microbial biotechnology. Her research interests encompass metagenomics, microbial-plant interactions, molecular drug discovery, and computational biology. Recognized with several awards, including NRF postdoctoral grants and international travel fellowships, she continues to advance impactful research aimed at improving agriculture, health, and drug discovery.
Featured Publications
Chukwuneme, C.F., & Babalola, O.O. (2025). “Microbial diversity and function in the rhizosphere microbiome: Driving forces and monitoring approaches.” Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment.
Chukwuneme, C.F., & Gildenhuys, S. (2025). “Systems analysis of Berberis vulgaris alkaloids unveils their functional synergy and drug-like potential.” Computational Biology and Chemistry.
Adeniji, A.A., Chukwuneme, C.F., Conceição, E.C., Ayangbenro, A.S., Wilkinson, E., Maasdorp, E., de Oliveira, T., Babalola, O.O., & Núñez-Montero, K. (2025). “Unveiling novel features and phylogenomic assessment of indigenous Priestia megaterium AB-S79 using comparative genomics.” Microbiology Spectrum.
Rayise, S.S., Chukwuneme, C.F., Takaidza, S., & Ssemakalu, C. (2024). “A holistic view on erectile dysfunction: South African medicinal plants as sustainable alternative therapies.” Journal of Natural Remedies.
Chukwuneme, C.F., Ayangbenro, A.S., Venturi, V., Glick, B.R., & Babalola, O.O. (2024). “Potential innovations from the application of beneficial soil microbes to promote sustainable crop production.” Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia.
Amoo, A.E., Olanrewaju, O.S., Babalola, O.O., Ajilogba, C.F., Chukwuneme, C.F., Ojuederie, O.B., & Omomowo, O.I. (2023). “The functionality of plant-microbe interactions in disease suppression.” Journal of King Saud University – Science.
Ayangbenro, A.S., Chukwuneme, C.F., Ayilara, M.S., Kutu, F.R., Khantsi, M., Adeleke, B.S., Glick, B.R., & Babalola, O.O. (2022). “Harnessing the rhizosphere soil microbiome of organically amended soil for plant productivity.” Agronomy.