https://dev.oceanexpert.org/expert/81560

ORCID : https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0668-3880

Ph.D.

Research

Biological Oceanography, Marine Ecology
eDNA
Fisheries, Aquaculture
Limnology
Molecular Biology
Pollution

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,

Red Sea

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.

English

Google Scholar

https://abu.edu.ng

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.