Professor Nyerhovwo John Tonukari obtained his Ph.D. in Biochemistry, in 2000 from the Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA. He was also trained in protein analysis at the University di Napoli, Italy in 1992 and in DNA sequencing at the Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA in 1994. He is a recipient of the Thoman Fellowship (USA) (1999 – 2000) and the Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship (USA) (May – October 1994). He obtained his B.Sc. in Biochemistry (First Class Honours) from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria in 1987 and M.Sc. from the University of Ibadan also in Nigeria in 1990.
Read Also: Meet Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori
Prof. Tonukari is currently the Dean of Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. Some of the other numerous positions he has occupied include: Head, Department of Biochemistry, Delta State University, Editor, African Journal of Biotechnology (2002 to present), Acting Director, ICT, Delta State University, Abraka (2010), Acting Director, Pre-Degree Programme, Delta State University, Abraka (2007 to 2010), Associate Scientist (Molecular Biology), East Coast Fever Vaccine Project, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya (2002 to 2004), Fungal Molecular Biologist (Strain improvement), James R. Randle Research Center, Archer Daniels Midland Co, Decatur, IL 62521, USA (October 2000 – 2002), and Research Associate, Biotechnology Unit, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria September 1991 to 1995.
Prof. Tonukari founded Academic Journals in 2002 to enable African scholars have access to high quality peer reviewed articles, and also to enable researchers across the globe have access to articles published by Africans researchers without any form of restriction. Prof. Tonukari have been a strong proponent of scientific journals adopting the open access model especially as this model of publication is the most effective way to distribute research output, bridge the information gap between developing and advanced countries and help improve research productivity worldwide. He has encouraged and assisted several African journals to adopt the open access publishing model.
Prof. Tonukari is a founding member of the Society of African Journal Editors. He is also the Chairman of Tonukari Biotechnology, a biotech focused company.