Ikechukwu Smart Mbagwu
Ikechukwu Smart Mbagwu is a SENIOR LECTURER in ANATOMY Department, Faculty Of Basic Medical Sciences in Nnamdi Azikiwe University
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Staff Profile
Smart I. Mbagwu is a Researcher and medical education professional with a background in anatomical sciences. I also have an interest in applying my scientific expertise in the field of public health by engaging in programs initiated by health organizations in addition to promoting science advocacy through outreach programs for school children
Personal Information
Email: | |
Phone: | |
Address: | Anatomy, Faculty Of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. |
Faculty/Unit: | FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES |
Department/Sub-Unit: | ANATOMY |
Social Profiles
Academic Qualifications
| Degrees / Basic Certificates | |
|---|---|
| 1 | University Of Fribourg. (Doctor of Philosophy, June, 2020) January, 2016 to June, 2020 PhD In Medical Sciences Medical Sciences |
| 2 | University Of Lagos. (Master Degree, December, 2012) September, 2011 to November, 2012 MSc (Anatomy) Anatomy |
| 3 | Madonna University. (Bachelor Degree, November, 2008) September, 2003 to August, 2008 BSc (Anatomy) Anatomy |
Relevant/Working Experience
| 1 | Hall Warden, Old Final Year Hostel Wing B (Females), Nnamdi Azikiwe University May, 2025 to Present |
| 2 | Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. October, 2023 to Present |
| 3 | Lecturer I, Department of Anatomy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. October, 2020 to August, 2023 |
| 4 | Teaching Assistant, University Of Fribourg August, 2017 to February, 2020 |
| 5 | Lecturer II, Nnamdi Azikiwe University August, 2014 to Present |
| 6 | Lecturer II, Nnamdi Azikiwe University August, 2014 to Present |
| 7 | Anatomy Dissection Coordinator, Nnamdi Azikiwe University May, 2014 to November, 2015 |
| 8 | Departmental Attendance Coordinator, Nnamdi Azikiwe University January, 2014 to December, 2015 |
| 9 | Assistant Lecturer, Nnamdi Azikiwe University August, 2013 to August, 2014 |
Creative Output
| Book Chapters | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hosam Eldeen Elsadig Gasmalla , Smart I. Mbagwu , Mohamed Ahmed Eladl. (2025, January) Fundamentals of anatomical research Acsdemic Press |
| 2 | Mbagwu S., Walch M., Filgueira L., Mantel PY.. (2017, ) Production And Characterization Of Extracellular Vesicles In Malaria |
| Journal Articles | |
| 1 | Smart I. Mbagwu, Chidiebere A. Nnajieze, Kelechi E, Ichie. (2026, May), "Relationship between Dorsal Digit Ratio and Hand Grip Strength in A Young Adult Nigerian Population", European Journal of Anatomy, Vol. 30, (Issue 3), pp 357-365 |
| 2 | Smart Ikechukwu Mbagwu, Jude Amechi Nnaka, Kingsley Chinemerem Ibeabuchi, Victor Udochukwu Ezeike, Muritala Odidi Suleiman, Ojo Stephen Gbadegesin, Izuchukwu Azuka Okafor. (2026, June), "Sacred choices and willing hearts: exploring spiritual beliefs in body donation-a cross-sectional study of Nigerian medical and allied health students", BMC Medical Ethics |
| 3 | Smart Ikechukwu Mbagwu, Usende Ifukibot Levi, Ndubuisi Paris Obi, Francis Elochukwu Chinwuba, Clinton Onyekachi Anokwa & Usende Ephraim Utopejit. (2026, January), "Oxidative and histopathological changes in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex following light-at-night and methamphetamine exposure", BMC Neuroscience |
| 4 | Edem Ekpenyong Edem, Smart Ikechukwu Mbagwu, Adedamola Adediran Fafure, Favour Kelechi Chinyere, Oluwaseun Eniola Adegbilero-Iwari, Adeshina Oloruntoba Adekeye. (2026, May), "Optimising pre-class tests to enhance student engagement in neuroanatomy: a pilot study", BMC Medical Education |
| 5 | Smart I Mbagwu, Ndubuisi P Obi, Emeka A Okubike, Vitalis C Ezeuko, Ifeanyi O Anokwulu, Mike N Onyemunosa-Ibeabuchi. (2025, February), "Socioeconomic disparities in adolescent growth: an anthropometric study of Nigerian school children in Lagos", BMC Public Health |
| 6 | Alice Abbondanza, Nawon Kim, Ricardo AS Lima‐Filho, Azin Amin, Roberta G Anversa, Felipe Borges Almeida, Pablo L Cardozo, Giovanna Carello‐Collar, Emma V Carsana, Royhaan O Folarin, Sara Guerreiro, Olayemi K Ijomone, Sodiq K Lawal, Isadora Matias, Smart I Mbagwu, Sandra A Niño, Bolanle F Olabiyi, Sunday Y Olatunji, Tosin A Olasehinde, Waralee Ruankham, William N Sanchez, Carina Soares‐Cunha, Paula A Soto, Jazmín Soto‐Verdugo, Nathan R Strogulski, Weronika Tomaszewska, Cármen Vieira, Adriano Chaves‐Filho, Michael A Cousin, Ago Rinken, Tyler J Wenzel. (2025, July), "Dissection of neurochemical pathways across complexity and scale", Journal of Neurochemistry |
| 7 | Izuchukwu Azuka Okafor, Jude Amechi Nnaka, Muritala Odidi Suleiman, Boma Uriah Erekosima, Smart Ikechukwu Mbagwu, Kingsley Chinemerem Ibeabuchi, Ojo Stephen Gbadegesin, Godwin Chinedu Uzomba, Aliyu Isah Aliyu. (2024, December), "Beyond the blade: Unveiling the nexus of spirituality and human dissection among medical and allied health students in Nigeria", Anatomical Sciences Education |
| 8 | Smart I. Mbagwu, Edem E. Edem, Oluwaseun E. Adegbilero-Iwari, Gabriel G. Akunna, Victor O. Makanjuola, Felix O. Ogbo, Linus A. Enye. (2024, July), "Medical school students' perspectives on virtual anatomy education in a developing country", Anatomical Sciences Education |
| 9 | Usende Ifukibot Levi, Mofio M. Bintu, Osinachi Chinonyerem Daniella, Oyelowo-Abdulraheem Fatima Oyenike, Adikpe Oluwa Agbonu, Azeez Mariam Adedamola, Enefe Ndidi, Sanni Fatimah Saka, Beselia V. Gela, Smart I. Mbagwu, Edem Ekpenyong Edem, Olopade James Olukayode, Connor James. (2024, January), "Neurobehavioral deficits, histoarchitectural alterations, parvalbumin neuronal damage and glial activation in the brain of male Wistar rat exposed to Landfill leachate", Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy |
| 10 | Izuchukwu Azuka Okafor, Smart Ikechukwu Mbagwu, Uchenna Somtochukwu Okafor, Johnson Okwudili Nweke, Kingsley Chinemerem Ibeabuchi, Samuel Nduka Ogbonna. (2023, November), "The methanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa downregulates the relative expression of Kiss1 gene in the hypothalamus of Wistar rats: A preliminary report", Avicenna J Phytomed |
| 11 | Nils Lannes, Alexey Larionov, Smart I Mbagwu and Luis Filgueira. (2021, January), "How the Interaction of SARS-Cov-2 with the Interleukin-17A Receptor May Contribute to Neuropathology", Open Access Journal of Neurology & Neurosurgery |
| 12 | Uzozie Chikere Ofoego, Ejike Daniel Eze, Elizabeth Obioma Nweke, Ifechukwu Justicia Obiesie, Ikechukwu Smart Mbagwu, Okafor Emeka Christian and Rabiu. (2021, January), "Allium Cepa (Onion) Extract Enhances And Protects Testicular Function And Architecture Against Paraquat Induced Oxidative Damage", Int. J. Life Sci. Pharma Res.11(1), 194-203 |
| 13 | Izuchukwu Azuka Okafor, Smart Ikechukwu Mbagwu, Chinyere Elizabeth Eze, Oluwatayo Jennifer Chizoba, Anachuna Obinna Nonso, Chris Okwuchukwu Obialor.. (2021, February), "Train-the-trainers Biology Workshop As An Effective Science Advocacy Tool: An Impact Assessment And Emerging Issues For Science Education", The Journal of STEM Outreach 4(1):1-10 |
| 14 | Rebecca C Chukwuanukwu, Nkemjika Uchenna, Smart I Mbagwu, Titus O Chukwuanukwu, Onyenekwe Charles. (2020, July), "Cryptococcus neoformans seropositivity and some haematological parameters in HIV seropositive subjects", Journal of Infection and Public Health |
| 15 | Ofoego Uzozie Chikere , Mbagwu Smart Ikechukwu, Ekwujuru Ezinne Uchechi, Obiesie Ifechukwu Justicia , Madu Chiamaka Promise, Ofoego Amarachukwu Ndubui. (2020, August), "Maydis Stigma (Corn Silk) Extract Protects The Functionality And Histoarchitecture Of The Testis Against Paraquat Induced Toxicity", International Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences 08(2020):111-122 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4040975. |
| 16 | Mbagwu, S.I.; Lannes, N.; Walch, M.; Filgueira, L.; Mantel, P.-Y.. (2020, January), "Human Microglia Respond To Malaria-Induced Extracellular Vesicles.", Pathogens 9(1), 21 |
| 17 | Mbagwu, S.I.; Filgueira, L.. (2020, January), "Differential Expression Of CD31 And Von Willebrand Factor On Endothelial Cells In Different Regions Of The Human Brain: Potential Implications For Cerebral Malaria Pathogenesis.", Brain Sci. 2020, 10(1), 31 |
| 18 | Hernández-Castañeda, M. A., Happ, K., Cattalani, F., Wallimann, A., Blanchard, M., Fellay, I., Scolari, B., Lannes, N., Mbagwu, S., Fellay, B., Filgue. (2020, July), "γδ T Cells Kill Plasmodium Falciparum In A Granzyme- And Granulysin-Dependent Mechanism During The Late Blood Stage.", J Immunol. 2020;204(7):1798–1809. |
| 19 | Andrea Hernández-Castañeda, M., Mbagwu, S., Babatunde, K.A., Walch, M, Filgueira, L., Mantel, P.Y. (2018, August), "Evaluation Of Extracellular Vesicle Function During Malaria Infection", J. Vis. Exp. (2018), e57067) |
| 20 | Babatunde KA, Mbagwu S, Hernandez-Castaneda MA, Adapa SR, Walch M, Filgueira L, Falquet L, Jiang RHY, Ghiran I, Mantel PY. (2018, September), "Malaria Infected Red Blood Cells Release Small Regulatory RNAs Through Extracellular Vesicles", Sci Rep. 2018,17;8(1):884 |
| 21 | Uzozie Ofoego, Obichi Nwachukwu, Ezinne Ekwujuru, Smart Mbagwu, Agnes Nwakanma, Obioma Nweke, Amarachukwu Ofoego. (2017, July), "Ethanolic Seed Extract of Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Protects the Testis from Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Induced Damage", Journal of Natural Sciences Research |
| 22 | Smart I. Mbagwu, Okwudili O. Udemezue, Uzozie C. Ofoego, Promise E. Ikhine. (2016, September), "Histological Study On The Anterior Pituitary Gland Of Monosodium Glutamate-Administered Adult Male Wistar Rat", British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research 12(9): 1-7, 2016, ISSN: 2231-0614. Article no. BJMMR.16705 |
| 23 | Mbagwu SI, Ibeabuchi NM, Aniah JA, Adelakun SA.. (2015, March), "Anthropometric Evaluation Of Growth Variation In Urban Dwelling Female Adolescent School Children", Ann Bioanthropol 2015;3:6-9 |
| 24 | U. U. Ukoha, S. I. Mbagwu, G. U. Ndukwe, C. Obiagboso. (2015, June), "Histological and Biochemical Evaluation of the Kidney following Chronic Consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa", Advances in Biology |
| 25 | Smart I. Mbagwu, Julius A. Aniah,Damian N. Ezejindu. (2014, April), "Anthropometric Study On The Growth Pattern Of Adolescent Male Nigerian School Children In Urban Lagos", American J Medicine and Medical Sciences 2014, 4(2): 63-65; |
| Conference Papers | |
| 1 | Smart I. Mbagwu, Edem E. Edem Rosemary C. Obasi Clinton C. Ezieke Onoriode A. Eyeghre Ndubisi P. Obi Izuchukwu A. Okafor. (2026, April), "Differential Vulnerability of the Hippocampo-Cerebellar Axis Following Tramadol Exposure", |
| 2 | Izuchukwu Azuka Okafor, Jude Nnaka , Obioma Ejimofor , Uzozie Ofoego , Smart Mbagwu , Ugochukwu Aguwa , Kelechi Ichie , Nathan Tochukwu Asogwa. (2026, March), "Turning Socioecological Evidence into MultiLevel Actions for Success in Preclinical Anatomy Examination", |
| 3 | R Udodi, G Anyanwu, P Udodi, S Mbagwu. (2025, August), "The Effect of Cannabidiol Activation of CB1 Receptor on the Prenatal VPA-Induced Anxiogenic Activities in Amygdala of Male Mice", Wiley |
| 4 | Smart Mbagwu, Chukwudumebi N. Obi, Kate E. Nebo, Funmilayo R. Adeniyi, Olusegun A. Adeoluwa4 Edem E. Edem.. (2023, August), "Tramadol upregulates hypothalamic BMAL1 gene expression and modulates lipid-immune signaling in sleep-deprived rats.", |
| 5 | Entry Behaviour and Perception of Neuroanatomy Course Among Medical and Allied Health Sciences Students in Nigeria. (2023, October), "Smart I. Mbagwu, Edem Ekpenyong Edem, Paul Okoro.", |
| 6 | Smart Mbagwu, Luis Filgueira. (2022, August), "Differential expression of brain endothelial cell markers in the human brain: Implications in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria", Wiley |
| 7 | Edem Edem, Kate Nebo, Adedamola Fafure, Aisha Olatokun, Emmanuel Collins-Daniel, Osemhanhu Asibor, Ifeoluwa Awogbidin, Elizabeth Akinluyi, Smart Mbagwu, Ademola Oremosu. (2022, August), "Tramadol modulates cognition and lipid-immune signalling in the gut-liver-brain axis of sleep-deprived periadolescent rats", Wiley |
| 8 | Smart I. Mbagwu, Izuchukwu A. Okafor, Chinyere E. Eze, Osmond Anokwulu. (2020, April), "Anatomical Sciences Educational Outreach: A tool for boosting science education.", |
| 9 | Mbagwu Smart and Filgueira Luis. (2019, August), "Differential expression of CD31 and von Willebrand factor in endothelial cells in different regions of the brain", , International Federation of Associations of Anatomists. London, August 9-11,2019 |
| Other Relevant Publications | |
| 1 | Izuchukwu Azuka Okafor, Smart Ikechukwu Mbagwu, Terkuma Chia, Zuwati Hasim, Echezona Ejike Udokanma,Karthik Chandran. "Institutionalizing Open Science in Africa: Limitations and Prospects", (Others, 2022 April) |
Academic Leadership Qualities
| Grants | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Awardee: "Science Outreach" (February, 2018). Completed sponsored grant by Teaching and Research in Natural Sciences for Development in Africa |
| 2 | Awardee: "Educational Outreach Grant" (September, 2018 to March, 2019). Completed sponsored grant by American Association for Anatomy |
| 3 | Awardee: "Swiss Excellence Scholarship for Doctoral Studies" (May, 2015 to July, 2019). Completed sponsored grant by Swiss Government |
| Editorships | |
| 1 | Editor, "Anatomical Record" (February, 2024) |
| 2 | Editor, "Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria" (June, 2023) |
| Reviewerships | |
| 1 | Reviewer, "Emerging trends on the anatomy teaching reforms in the last 10 years: Based on VOSviewer and CiteSpace" (March, 2024) |
| 2 | Reviewer, "Impacts Of Drug Interactions On Pharmacokinetics And The Brain Transporters: A Recent Review Of Natural Compound-Drug Interactions In Brain Disorders" (2020) |
| 3 | Reviewer, "Adequacy Of Severe Malaria Markers And Prognostic Scores In An Intensive Care Unit In Luanda - Angola: A Clinical Study" (2020) |
| 4 | Reviewer, "A De Novo Peptide From A High Throughput Peptide Library Blocks Myosin A -MTIP Complex Formation In Plasmodium Falciparum" (2020) |
| 5 | Reviewer, "Deep Learning Based Automatic Malaria Parasite Detection From Blood Smear And Its Smartphone Based Application" (2020) |
| Examinerships | |
| 1 | Chief Examiner, "MSc in Medical Sciences (Anatomy) Thesis . Quality of life of children treated for cleft lip and/or palate in a selected South African Population" (December, 2025 to January, 2026). Completed External Exam |
| 2 | Examiner, "MSc in Anatomy Proposal Defence . Effect of Jigsmur (herbal remedy) on Paraquat induced Kidney damage in Albino rats" (July, 2024). Completed Internal-Internal Exam |
| Contributions to the University/Society | |
| 1 | Publicity Secretary, "Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria" (April, 2025) |
| 2 | Member, "BSc Accreditation Committee, Department of Anatomy, NAU" (March, 2024) |
| 3 | Member, "Animal House Committee, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, NAU" (September, 2023) |
| 4 | Member, "Program Committee of American Association for Anatomy" (May, 2023) |
Membership of Professional/Relevant Bodies
| 1 | Full Member, "Neuroscience Society of Nigeria" (member since 2025), https://www.nsn-nigeria.org/ |
| 2 | Full Member, "International Society of Neurochemistry" (member since 2022), https://www.neurochemistry.org/ |
| 3 | Full Member, "American Association for Anatomy" (member since 2017), https://www.anatomy.org/ |
| 4 | Full Member, "Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria (SECAN)" (member since 2015), https://secanigeria.com/about-asn/ |
Relevant Events Attended
| Conferences | |
|---|---|
| 1 | "24th Scientific Meeting and Annual General Meeting of the Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria", (Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria), 24th March, 2026 to 27th March, 2026; Attended Virtually |
| 2 | "ESN-ISN Meeting", (International Society for Neurochemistry), 8th August, 2023 to 11th August, 2023; Porto, Portugal |
| 3 | "2024 AAA’s Annual Meeting at Toronto, Canada", (American Association for Anatomy), Canada |
| Workshop | |
| 1 | "Medical Education MasterClass", (Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria), 14th March, 2026 to 21st March, 2026; Zoom |