Josephine Amedu

My name is Josephine Amedu with backgrounds in Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Plant Biotechnology. I have over 10 years experience in regulating modern biotechnology processes and their products

Assistant Chief Scientific Officer at National Biosafety Management Agency (2023-01 – Present)

• Served as an Expert in the development of the 2nd edition Gene Drive Report with focus on Risk Assessment of Gene Drive Modified Mosquitoes (GDMMs) of the African Union High Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET)
• Served as a Member of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) of the UN's Secretariat of Convention of Biological Diversity (SCBD), in the development of Additional Voluntary Guidance Materials for the Risk Assessment of Gene Drives

Principal Scientific Officer at National Biosafety Management Agency (2015-04 – 2022-12)

Served as Nigeria's Biosafety Expert to the Technical Working Group of West Africa Integrated Vector Management Programme, (WA-IVM) anchored by AUDA-NEPAD, an agency the African Union.

• All technical activities relating to genetic modified organisms (GMO) Detection and Analysis including: Sample collection and preparation, DNA and RNA isolation and quantification, Conducting PCR and result interpretation
• Technical and administrative assistance in the development of biosafety guidelines relating to gene editing, GMOs with stacked traits and food/feed safety
• Biosafety risk assessment and risk management reviews
• Training and mentorship to undergraduate students and interns in molecular biology techniques

Scientific Officer L1 at Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria (2012-04 – 2015-04)

Working in the Biosafety Unit of the Ministry

• Inspection of confined field trials of GMOs under trials
• Assistance and required regulatory and secretarial support to National Biosafety Review Meetings
• Technical and administrative assistance in organizing workshops and conferences
• Awareness campaigns on modern biotechnology and biosafety
• Related duties as may be assigned

Medical Assistant at Basic Health Center, Nigeria (2006-09 – 2007-08)

As part of the National Youth Service Corps

• Counselling and Management of Tuberculosis patients

Student Internship at Aminu Kano Teaching hospital, Nigeria (2005-01 – 2005-04)

• Sample collection from patients, and collation of results
• Detecting and identifying pathogens using suitable microbiological, biochemical, and serological techniques from human specimens
• Seminar and research presentations
• I engaged in highly multitasked activities and teamwork within the scope of mentor's instructions

Ph.D. in Biotechnology – Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2018-09 – 2026-03)

M.Sc. in Plant Biotechnology – The University of Adelaide, Australia (2015-01 – 2016-12)

M.Sc. in Industrial Microbiology – University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2008-09 – 2010-12)

B.Sc. in Microbiology – University of Jos, Nigeria (2002-03 – 2006-06)