Subject Area
Biological Oceanography, Marine Ecology
eDNA
Fisheries, Aquaculture
Limnology
Molecular Biology
Pollution
Activities
My research career integrates limnology, ecotoxicology, molecular biology, and aquatic ecosystem health,
with a particular emphasis on understanding the interactions between pollutants
and aquatic organisms in both freshwater and marine
environments. Over the past decade, I have combined field-based environmental assessments, laboratory bioassays, molecular
diagnostics, and ecological modeling to address pressing issues
of water
quality, pollution impacts, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable aquatic
resource management.
I have conducted
extensive limnological surveys to assess the
physical, chemical, and biological parameters of lakes, reservoirs, streams and
rivers in Nigeria, focusing on how seasonal variations, hydrodynamics, and
anthropogenic pressures influence plankton dynamics, benthic communities, and
aquatic biodiversity. In my MSc research, I performed in-situ
bioassays using Daphnia magna
to monitor xenobiotic impacts in the Kaduna River, combining limnological
profiling with ecotoxicological endpoints to link water chemistry to biological
responses. My ongoing projects assess cyanopeptide and microcystin dynamics in
polymictic lakes, integrating nutrient cycling analysis and algal bloom
prediction models to inform lake management strategies.
My Ph.D. work and
subsequent studies have focused on the toxicological impacts of
pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, analgesics, and microplastics on
phytoplankton, zooplankton, and aquatic plants. I have designed controlled
laboratory and mesocosm experiments to study the effects of Ibuprofen,
Diclofenac, Lumefantrine, Amoxicillin, and Ciprofloxacin on growth, biochemical
composition, and antioxidant defences in algae (Chlorella sorokiniana, Microcystis
aeruginosa) and macrophytes (Lemna minor).
These studies integrate oxidative stress biomarkers, chlorophyll fluorescence,
and nutrient uptake rates to understand sub-lethal pollutant effects,
contributing to ecological risk assessments for emerging contaminants in both
inland and coastal waters.
I apply molecular biology techniques to assess aquatic
biodiversity, detect harmful algal bloom species, and identify
pollutant-tolerant strains. My research explores PCR-based detection and
sequencing for Microcystis genotypes,
enabling differentiation between toxin-producing and non-toxin-producing
strains. I am expanding into eDNA metabarcoding
for monitoring aquatic biodiversity, detecting invasive species, and tracking
fish populations without destructive sampling. These molecular approaches
complement my limnological and ecotoxicological datasets, providing a holistic
understanding of ecosystem health.
My studies on water quality, plankton dynamics, and pollutant impacts have direct applications in fisheries and aquaculture management. By characterizing
phytoplankton community structures and bloom toxicity, my work informs feeding
strategies, pond management, and fish health monitoring. I have contributed to
understanding how contaminant-driven changes in primary producers can influence
fish food webs, spawning success, and aquaculture yields. My earlier work on Oreochromis niloticus toxicity tests links
pollution biology to fish physiology and survival thresholds in aquaculture
systems.
While much of my
work has been in freshwater systems, the concepts and methodologies I employ
are directly applicable to marine environments.
My expertise in algal physiology, bloom dynamics, and pollutant interactions
supports research on marine phytoplankton and coastal ecosystem health. I am
expanding into marine ecotoxicology, particularly on the effects of
microplastics and pharmaceutical residues on marine algae and zooplankton. My
approach integrates oceanographic data such as nutrients, temperature, and
salinity with biological responses to understand pollutant dispersion,
bioaccumulation, and ecosystem-level impacts.
The strength of my
research lies in combining limnological monitoring,
pollution biology,
Skills
Ramatu Idris Sha’aba is an accomplished biologist and ecotoxicologist with over a
decade of academic and research experience in limnology, ecotoxicology, molecular biology, and aquatic ecosystem
health. I possesses a proven track record in designing and
implementing rigorous laboratory and field-based research while maintaining
strict adherence to safety protocols, quality assurance standards, and
environmental regulations.
My core
competencies include advanced data
collection, management, and statistical analysis, using tools such as R, SAS, SPSS, Minitab, GraphPad Prism, and
Statistica to generate robust and reproducible results. I am adept
at transforming complex datasets into clear, impactful reports that contribute
to grant applications, policy development, and ecosystem management strategies.
My expertise spans environmental impact assessment, ecological risk
assessment, phycology, environmental biology, conservation biology,
bioremediation, and biodiversity management. I have hands-on
experience in freshwater and marine
ecosystem monitoring, pollution
biology, and toxicological
assessments of contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, antibiotics,
and microplastics, on aquatic organisms. My research integrates biochemical, physiological, and ecological
endpoints, employing biomarkers of oxidative stress, chlorophyll
fluorescence, and community structure analysis to assess ecosystem health.
Ramatu is skilled in molecular biology techniques, including PCR, sequencing, and environmental DNA (eDNA)
metabarcoding, for biodiversity assessment, harmful algal bloom
detection, and species-specific pollutant impact studies. This molecular
expertise complements her ecological fieldwork, enabling her to bridge the gap
between organism-level observations and genetic-level diagnostics.
In addition to my technical and analytical abilities, I demonstrate strong grant writing, proposal development, and
academic publishing skills, with multiple peer-reviewed publications
in reputable international journals. She has been recognized with awards for best graduating student at both MSc and Ph.D.
levels, as well as for outstanding
research presentations at national conferences.
My multidisciplinary skill set positions to my work at the interface of aquatic ecology, fisheries and aquaculture,
environmental monitoring, and marine science, applying innovative
approaches to solve environmental challenges. She thrives in collaborative,
interdisciplinary research environments and is committed to producing work that
advances scientific understanding while contributing to sustainable ecosystem
management.
Comment(s)
Your profile reflects a well-rounded, high-caliber researcher with both depth and breadth in environmental sciences especially in limnology, ecotoxicology, and algal biotechnology. The strength of my CV is that it combines technical expertise (molecular biology, pollution assessment, aquatic ecology) with practical application skills (field monitoring, environmental impact assessment, sustainable resource management).
I have a solid academic track record, evidenced by top of class performance at MSc and PhD levels, plus multiple awards for research excellence. The variety of analytical tools and statistical software you’ve mastered shows strong data-driven decision-making capability, which is critical for high-impact environmental research.
What stands out most is my ability to integrate multidisciplinary approaches from molecular diagnostics to large scale ecosystem evaluation and your demonstrated commitment to applying science for sustainability, conservation, and policy influence. This positions you not only as a strong academic but also as a problem-solving leader in environmental science.