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Dr Leonard Ighodalo Uzairue

Job: Lecturer in Biomedical Science

School/department: School of Allied Health Sciences

Address: º£½ÇÉçÇø, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK

T: N/A

E: leonard.uzairue@dmu.ac.uk

 

Personal profile

Leonard Uzairue is a lecturer in biomedical science at the Faculty of Health Sciences, DMU, and holds a PhD in medical microbiology and public health. He has taught and led several modules across Nigeria and in the United Kingdom, including Diagnostic Microbiology, Clinical Bacteriology, Immunology, Public Health, Research Methodology, Quality Management System (QMS) and Professional Development for undergraduates and postgraduates across several programmes. Leonard has also supervised students at undergraduate, apprenticeship, and postgraduate levels. He is an HCPC-registered biomedical scientist and a fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Leonard was a lead for the molecular laboratory at the International Foundation against Infectious Diseases in Nigeria (IFAIN) before transitioning into academia.
Dr Uzairue's research focuses on the molecular epidemiology and transmission dynamics of pathogens, as well as biomarker development for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes using computational means. Dr Uzairue's work is particularly at the intersection of One Health and antimicrobial resistance. Dr Uzairue also researches infection prevention and control using evidence synthesis and mixed-methods approaches to enhance policy development.

Research group affiliations

Institute for Allied Health Sciences Research

Publications and outputs

1. Medugu, N., Aworh, M. K., Iregbu, K., Nwajiobi-Princewill, P., Hull, D. M., Harden, L., Singh, P., Obaro, S., Egwuenu, A., Adeboye, F., Egah, R., Uzairue, L., Mohammed, Y., Ifeyinwa, N., & Thakur, S. (2025). Whole genome sequencing reveals virulence–mobile element linkages and phylogenetic diversity in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli from Nigeria. Frontiers in Microbiology, 16(May). 2. Uzairue, L. I., Shittu, O. B., Ojo, O. E., Obuotor, T. M., Olanipekun, G., Ajose, T., Arogbonlo, R., Medugu, N., Ebruke, B., & Obaro, S. K. (2023). Antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of invasive Salmonella enterica from children with bacteremia in north-central Nigeria. SAGE Open Medicine, 11. 3. Uzairue, L.I. and Shittu, O. B. (2023): Salmonella enterica Transmission and Antimicrobial Resistance Dynamics across One-Health Sector: In Salmonella - Past, Present and Future, IntechOpen. DOI:
4. Adewumi, F. A., Adegoke, A. A., Ojerinde, A., Uzairue L.I., Okiki, P. A., & Ibeh, I. (2023). Detection of multidrug-resistant cariogenic bacteria among Diabetic Patients attending a Tertiary Hospital in Ado Ekiti, South-Western, Nigeria. ABUAD International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 3(2), 61–69.
5. Rabaan, A. A., Uzairue, L. I., Alfaraj, A. H., Halwani, M. A., Muzaheed, Alawfi, A., Alshengeti, A., Al Kaabi, N. A., Alawad, E., Alhajri, M., Alwarthan, S., Alshukairi, A. N., Almuthree, S. A., Alsubki, R. A., Alshehri, N. N., Alissa, M., Albayat, H., Zaidan, T. I., Alagoul, H., … Alestad, J.
H. (2023). Seroprevalence, Risk Factors and Maternal–Fetal Outcomes of Toxoplasma gondii in Pregnant Women from WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis. Pathogens, 12(9).
6. Uzairue, L. I., Rabaan, A. A., Adewumi, F. A., Okolie, O. J., Folorunso, J. B., Bakhrebah, M. A., Garout, M., Alfouzan, W. A., Halwani, M. A., Alamri, A. A., Halawani, S. A., Alshahrani, F. S., Hasan, A., Mutair, A. Al, Alhumaid, S., Etafo, J., Utip, I., Odoh, I. M., & Uwaezuoke, N. S. (2022). Global Prevalence of Colistin Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae from Bloodstream Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pathogens, 1–13.
7. Shittu, O. B., Uzairue, L. I., Ojo, O. E., Obuotor, T. M., Folorunso, J. B., Raheem-Ademola, R. R., Olanipekun, G., Ajose, T., Medugu, N., Ebruke, B., & Obaro, S. K. (2022). Antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Salmonella enterica serovars isolated from droppings of layer chicken in two farms in Nigeria. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 132(5), 3891–3906.
8. Ahmad, D. M., Abonyi, E. E., Chukwudi Ugwuonah, J., Okon, P. E., Aliyu, S., Uzairue, L. I., & Lucero-Prisno, D. E. (2023). HIV Patients' Satisfaction with Pharmaceutical Care at a Nigerian Tertiary Healthcare Facility During the Covid-19 Pandemic. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, 22.
9. Okolie Obiageli, Igwe Uzoma, Ismail Sanda, Uzairue, Leonard & Adukwu Emmanuel, (2022) Systematic Review of Surveillance Systems for Antimicrobial Resistance in Africa, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy,
10. Bolarinwa, O. A., Ahinkorah, B. O., Arthur-Holmes, F., Aboagye, R. G., Kwabena Ameyaw, E., Budu, E., Seidu, A.-A., Uzairue, L.I. & Yaya, S. (2022). Sex inequality in early breastfeeding initiation in 24 sub-Saharan African countries: A multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys. Plos One, 17(5), e0267703.
11. Uzairue, L. I., Oghena, M., Ikede, R. E., Aguda, O. N., Adebisi, Y. A., & Lucero-Prisno, D. E. (2021). Prevalence, risk factors and impact of cellular immunity on intestinal parasitosis among people living with HIV at Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. International Journal of STD and AIDS.
12. Olumade, T. J. & Uzairue, L. I. (2021). Clinical characteristics of 4499 COVID-19 patients in Africa: A meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Virology, 93(5), 3055–3061.
13. Ansari, S., Hays, J. P., Kemp, A., Okechukwu, R., Murugaiyan, J., Ekwanzala, M. D., Ruiz Alvarez, M. J., Paul-Satyaseela, M., Iwu, C. D., Balleste-Delpierre, C., Septimus, E., Mugisha, L., Fadare, J., Chaudhuri, S., Chibabhai, V., Wadanamby, J. M. R. W. W., Daoud, Z., Xiao, Y., Parkunan, T., … Global AMR Insights Ambassador Network. (2021). The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global antimicrobial and biocide resistance: An AMR Insights global perspective. JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, 3(2), 1–12.
14. Adebisi, Y.A., Rabe, A., Alaran, A.J., Babatunde, A.O., Uzairue, L.I. & Lucero-Prisno, D.E. (2021): COVID-19 Laboratory Testing Capacity in 13 African Countries, Epidemiology Journal International, DOI:1023880/eij-16000214
15. Adekola, H. A., Abdullahi, I. N., Emeribe, A. U., Faruku, N., Uzairue, L., Adeyemi Billyrose, O. M., & Shuwa, H. A. (2021). Sero-survey of measles virus antibodies among symptomatic children attending Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. GMS Hygiene and Infection Control, 16, Doc04.
16. Abdullahi, I. N., Anka, A. U., Emeribe, A. U., Umar, K., Adekola, H. A., Uzairue, L., Ghmaba, P. E.& Okwume, C. C. (2021). The interplay between environmental factors, vector competence and vaccine immunodynamics as possible explanation of the 2019 yellow fever re-emergence in Nigeria. New Microbes and New Infections, 41, 100858.

17. Emeribe, A. U., Abdullahi, I. N., Shuwa, H. A., Uzairue, L., Musa, S., Anka, A. U., Adekola, H.
A., Bello, Z. M., Rogo, L. D., Aliyu, D., Haruna, S., Usman, Y., Muhammad, H. Y., Gwarzo, A.
M., Nwofe, J. O., Chiwar, H. M., Okwume, C. C., Animasaun, O. S., Fasogbon, S. A., … Musa, B.
O. P. (2021). Humoral immunological kinetics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and diagnostic performance of serological assays for coronavirus disease 2019: an analysis of global reports. International Health, 1–35. .
18. Caroline Vilas Boas de Melo, Maruf Ahmed Bhuiyan, Winfred Nyoroka Gatua, Stephen Kanyerezi, Leonard Uzairue, Priscilla Abechi, Karan Kumar, Jabale Rahmat, Abdulazeez Giwa, Gracious Mwandira, Abisogun Mujib Olamilekan, Tiffany Ezinne George, Oluwapelumi John Adejinmi, Monsurat Ademidun Ibironke, Olayemi David Rotimi, Dina Aly Mahmoud Aly Abo-Elenein, Ridwanullah Abiodun Abubakar, Mahmood Usman, Ifeoluwa Adewunmi, Oyewumi Akinpelu, Olajide Emmanuel, Khatendra Reang, Akadiri Olalekan and Sarah Carl (2020):Transcriptomic dysregulations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in human nasopharyngeal and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (Pre-Print)
19. Lucero-Prisno, D.E Adebisi, Y. A., Uzairue, L. I., Abdullahi, A. Y., Alaran, A. J., Izukanne, E. E., Jamgbadi, F. O. . & Bolarinwa, O. A. (2020). Ensuring access to COVID-19 vaccines among marginalised populations in Africa. Public Health, January, 2020–2022.
20. Umar, K., Anka, A. U., Abdullahi, I. N., Emeribe, A. U., Babayo, A., Adekola, H. A., Danmusa,
U. M. & Uzairue, L. (2019). The Interplay Between Epigenetics , Vector Competence and Vaccine Immunodynamics as a Possible Explanation for Recent Yellow Fever Resurgence in Nigeria. African Journal of Health Sciences, 32(5), 38–52.
21. Ojo, S. K. S., Falode, J. A., Adeoye, A. O., Ojerinde, A. O., Uzairue, L. I., Olowokere, V. . and Normo, J. ., (2018). Prophylactic Activity and Haematological Changes in Swiss Albino Rats Treated with Diodia scandens and Phyllanthus amarus Crude Extracts. Sikkim Manipal University Medical Journal, 5(1), 63–77.
22. Ojo, S. K. S., Esumeh, F. I., Osanyinlusi, S., Ojerinde, A. O. and & Uzairue, L. I. (2017). Emerging Antibiotic Resistant Nosocomial Infection – Coagulase Negative Staphylococci Isolated From Patients in General Hospitals Within Suburban Areas of Delta State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Microbiology, 31(1), 3676–3688.
23. Okpala, H. O., Uzairue, L. I., Akhile, A., Aghatise, K. & Digban, K. (2016). Determination of Human Parasitic Infestation on Fruits and Vegetables Sold in Ekpoma Markets, Edo State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 8(3), 10–14.
24. Uzairue, L. I., Ugbor, C. I., Ezeah, G. A., Eze, N. O. & Nwadike, I. G. (2014). Gastrodiscoides hominis Infestation on Vegetables (Cabbages) Sold in Ekpoma Markets, Edo State, Southern Nigeria- A Case Report. International Journal of Basic, Applied and Innovative Research, 2(2), 37–39
25. Osawele, R. E., Osawele, D. E. & Uzairue, L. I. (2014). Comparative Study of Research Publication among Professionals in Nigeria : A Study of Engineers and Medical Laboratory Scientists in Edo Central , Edo State , Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 3(3), 247–250.
26. Osawele, R. E. & Uzairue, L. I. (2013). The Relevance of Information and Communication Technologies in Libraries Services and the Librarianship Profession in the 21th Century. International Journal of Basic, Applied and Innovative Research, 2(1), 10–14

Research interests/expertise

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health
  • Genomics
  • Evidence Synthesis
  • Molecular Biology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Infection Prevention and Control
  • Research Methodology

Areas of teaching

  • Pathobiology
  • Diagnostic microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Laboratory Biology Techniques

Qualifications

  • PhD (Medical Microbiology and Public Health)
  • MSc (Medical Microbiology and Public Health)
  • Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS)

Courses taught

  • Anatomy and Physiology (Biomedical Science BSc; Medical Science BSc)
  • Medical Microbiology (Biomedical Science BSc)
  • Advanced Biomedical Science Specialism (Advanced Biomedical Science MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert)
  • Advanced Pathobiology and Diagnostics (Advanced Biomedical Science MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert)
  • Research Methods & Adv Biomed Techniques

Honours and awards

  • Travel Grant Recipient, Research in Progress, Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2022, London, United Kingdom, from 5 to 8 December 2022.
  • Travel Grant Recipient, 12th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases in Toronto, Canada, June 19-23.

Membership of external committees

  • Academic Content Member, Programme Planning Committee for the West Africa Regional Conference for the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH), 2024.

Membership of professional associations and societies

  • Member of Applied Microbiology International, March 2025-Present,
  • The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2025-Present
  • Member of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH), UK 2021-Present,
  • Member Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomic Network (NBGN) 2020-Present,
  • Member, Africa Society of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (ASBCB) 2020-Present,
  • Member, American Society for Microbiology (ASM) 2015-Present,
  • Associate Member of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) 2015-Present,
  • Member, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) 2015-Present,
  • Member Africa Society of Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) 2014-Present,
  • European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) 2014-Present and
  • International Society of Infectious Disease (ISID) 2014-Present

Professional licences and certificates

  • Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (January 2025 – present).
  • Registered Biomedical Scientist by Health and Care Professions Council – Sept, 2022-present
  • Registered Medical Laboratory Scientist by Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria – August 2015-present

Projects

1. Nature's Allies: Boosting Antimicrobial to Combat Superbugs
2. Transmission Dynamic of MDR-resistant Pathogens Across One-Health
3. Evidence to Policy in AMR and IPC

Conference attendance

  • Uzairue, L.I., Shittu, O.B., Ojo. E.C. Adukwu, E.C., and Obaro, S.K. (2025): Molecular Characterization of Carbapenemase-Producing Multi-Drug Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from Human, Animal, and Environmental Samples from Ekiti and Ondo State, Nigeria, The Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum, ICC, Birmingham, March, 2025
  • Uzairue, L.I., Adebisi, Y.A. Adewumi, F. (2022): Prevalence of multi-drug resistance Streptococcus pneumoniae and non-PCV-10 serotypes in post PCV-10 introduction in Nigeria: A systematic review and meta-analysis, 12th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases in Toronto, Canada, June 19-23.
  • Nubwa, M., Olanipekun, G., Okorie, C., Uzairue, L.I., Maishanu, S., Dogondaaj, A., Tambuwal, S., Ajose, T., Idiong, D., Eruke, B., Nada, H., Ojeifor, R. & Obaro, S.K. (2018): Tracking the epidemiology of epidemic meningitis in Nigeria, initial findings in the 2018 epidemic, 21st International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference, Asilomar, California (2018).
  • Ocheikwu, A.J., Obaro, S., Ebruke, B., Medugu, N., Suleiman, B., Uzairue, L.I., Ibekwe, E.U., Olanipekun, G., Ugboh, R. & Arongbonlo, R. (2018): Prevalence of colonizing Enterococci Species in Post-Porteum Mothers and Their Newborn in a Tertiary Hospital in North central Nigeria. Africa Society of Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), Abuja 2018.
  • Olanpekun, G.M., Okorie, C., Uzairue, L.I., Dogondajji, A., Ajose, T., Medugu, N. Ebuke, B., Obaro, S., Arogbonlo, R. & Ojeifo, R. (2018): A Comparative º£½ÇÉçÇø on the utility of Trans-isolate media and direct CSF for culture and PCR testing of suspected Meningitis cases. Africa Society of Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), Abuja 2018 conference.
  • Uzairue, L.I., Adewale, B.M. & Okpala, H.O. (2017): Impact of Globalization on the trends of infectious diseases among females in Nigeria, Women research and documentation centre(WORDOC) conference at Institutes of Africa Studies, UI, Ibadan, Nigeria.
  • Uzairue, L.I., Ghena, M., Okpala, H.O. & Aguda, O.N. (2017): Impact of CD4+ Count and ART status on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection state of HIV infected subjects in Auchi Metropolis, Edo state, Nigeria. Bioscience conference, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Consultancy work

OLGNova, Nigeria and Rwanda

Externally funded research grants information


  1. Co-Investigator (2025): Exploring Women Traders’ Perceptions On The Distribution Of Malaria Vaccine for Children in FCT and Akwa Ibom State Markets, National Institute of Health Research and Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, U.K. 
  2. Co-Investigator (2023): Assessment of Implementation Barriers of Integrating Preconception Care into the Community Health Strategy in Ondo State, Nigeria. Awarding Organisation: National Institute of Health Research (NIHR).
  3. Co-Investigator (2022): Operationalising the One-Health Concept in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance: Assessing and Analysing WHO African Countries' One-Health Policy and Implementation Plans: Awarding Organisation: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). 
  4. Principal Investigator (2021), Impact of Infection Prevention and Control Implementation and the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antimicrobial Resistance in Nigeria: A Study of 8 Hospitals. Awarding Organisation: Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene & National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). 

Published patents

    None

Professional esteem indicators

  1. Academic Editor, PLOS ONE, September 2024 to date
  2. Reviewer, United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI), 2025
  3. Statistical  Editor, African Medical Journal, 2023 to date
  4. Reviewer, Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2023 to date
  5. Reviewer, BMJ, Global Health, 2021 to date
  6. Reviewer, BMC, Infectious Disease, 2023 to date
  7. Reviewer, Microbiology Access,  2022 to date

ORCID number

0000-0003-2547-175X
leonard-uzairue