Helen N. Onyeaka

Dr. Helen Onyeaka, Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, UK. She is an industrial microbiologist and sustainability advocate with more than 25 years f experience spanning food safety, microbiology, and sustainable food systems. She currently serves as Deputy Director of the Birmingham Institute of Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA) and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). Her research centers on microbial physiology, foodborne pathogens, predictive microbiology, and innovations in sustainable food packaging. In recognition of her significant contributions to applied microbiology and food security, she has received several honors, including the prestigious Basil Jarvis Food Security and Innovation Award. As an educator, Dr. Onyeaka teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Food Microbiology, Food Safety, and Chemical Engineering, and supervises MSc and PhD research projects. In addition, she is actively engaged in professional capacity building through the design and delivery of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs for Food Safety Inspection Officers, industry professionals, and international trainees, including specialists from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Dr. Onyeaka is also deeply involved in global sustainability initiatives, working collaboratively with academia, industry, and policymakers to address key challenges in food systems, climate resilience, and microbiome research.