Dr. Orish Ebere Orisakwe was selected from a highly competitive slate of applicants from several African countries. Dr. Orisakwe, ERT, ATS, MRSC is Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Chair of the Toxicology Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. His US host will be Dr. Judith T. Zelikoff, Professor of Environmental Medicine, Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, NY.

As a fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences and European Registered Toxicologist, Professor Orisakwe has shown sustained leadership and direction in toxicology, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. His department and toxicology program have been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a WHO Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) that is responsible for food monitoring and assessment. Dr. Orisakwe is a WHO–appointed Adviser, Scientific Expert, and study group coordinator for food additives, lead poisoning, and other toxicology-related issues.