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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
An Ebonyi-born space scientist, Dr. Daniel Izuikedinachi Okoh, recently made Nigeria stand tall in the United States of America as he won the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Award for Research Excellence in space science.
Okoh, who hails from Amaechara in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, is a research fellow at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Abuja, with specialization in space science and ionospheric modelling.
The AGU award, won by Okoh, is an annual award which aims at identifying notable African scientists and recognizing them for their valuable contributions to space science. The award is also AGU’s novel opportunity to extend international collaborations to Africa.
Okoh beat other contestants across Africa to win the laurel. He was selected after a rigorous assessment by a committee consisting of college of AGU renowned experts who screened the contestants.
The award winner’s renowned contributions to space science and effective participation in international collaborations make him a prominent figure in the field of ionospheric research worldwide.
His research interests focus particularly on space weather modelling using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. He is part of the team that worked on the NORISK project to design and develop a new ionospheric observatory at the Luigi Broglio Space Centre, Malindi, Kenya.
Okoh is a member of the expert team on space weather at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). He also serves as a Science Discipline Representative at the Scientific Committee on Solar Terrestrial Physics (SCOSTEP).
He was the leader of the team that developed the AfriTEC (African regional ionospheric Total Electron Content) model. This high accuracy model of the ionosphere over Africa was collaboratively developed by a team of international ionospheric scientists generously supported by institutions within and outside the African continent.
His colleagues at the NASRDA, Abuja, where he works, describe him as a prolific scientist whose contributions in scientific research and knowledge and academic contributions at the Agency have distinguished him as an incredible scientist and a renowned scholar.
He has worked in scientific laboratories and centres in China, Japan, South Africa, Kenya, Italy, Rwanda, India, etc on account of his extensive knowledge in space science and ionospheric research.
Okoh has made his mark both locally and at the international scene. He is in hot demand across the globe for research and scientific teachings.
Over the years, he has served as an invited lecturer to several universities and research institutes both in Nigeria and abroad where he teaches, researches as well as engages in the supervision of MSc and PhD theses.
He is also a guest Editor to some renowned international scientific journals and a Reviewer to many other reputable academic journals.
His academic brilliance is as dazzling as his research achievements in space science. He earned a First-Class degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Nigeria. This was followed by a Distinction in his MSc in Space Physics from Rhodes University, South Africa and a Ph.D in Astrophysics again from the University of Nigeria. He was the Best Graduating Student of the department of Astronomy and Physics as well as the Best Graduating Student of the Faculty of Physical Sciences in his undergraduate years at the University of Nigeria in 2006.
Daniel Izuikedinachi Okoh has made his mark both at the local and international scenes. He is currently working on projects geared at using AI and Machine Learning to develop various space science products and solutions. These projects are supported by the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA).
As the current winner of the American Geophysical Union African Award for Research in Space Science, Okoh went home with a specified cash reward, an engraved award plaque, a three-year AGU membership, a travel support to America for the award, and an invitation to present at AGU annual meeting.
Even as the prestigious AGU Award was bestowed on Okoh December last year in Washington DC, the renowned scientist has not ceased making more exploits.
