Professor Michael Chukwuemeka Ubaka is a distinguished Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, recognized for his impactful contributions to pharmacy education and practice. Currently serving as the Honorable Commissioner at the Imo State Ministry of Health, he specializes in Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare Management, making history as the first pharmacist and professor to occupy this esteemed position.
Prof. Ubaka holds a Master of Engineering in Supply Chain Management and Global Logistics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Zaragoza Logistics Center (2024) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2014). He also earned a Master of Pharmacy in Clinical Pharmacy (2009) and a Bachelor of Pharmacy (2005) from the same institution.
As a dedicated educator, Prof. Ubaka has rapidly ascended the ranks at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, becoming the youngest professor in its history within the past two decades. His academic journey has included various roles such as Senior Lecturer, Lecturer I and II, and Graduate Research Assistant, underlining his unwavering commitment to advancing pharmacy education. He has also showcased his leadership capabilities as the President of the University of Nigeria Senior Staff Club (2021-2023).
A recipient of several prestigious fellowships and awards, Prof. Ubaka has been honored as a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Postgraduate Research Fellow and holds a Senior Fellow status with the Mandela Washington Fellowship for African Leaders. Recognized among the top 500 researchers in Nigeria according to the Webometrics Ranking, he has consistently been celebrated as the Best Faculty Lecturer based on student ratings from 2010 to 2016.
Prof. Ubaka is actively involved in various professional organizations, including the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the South African Society of Clinical Pharmacy. He has provided consultancy services for renowned institutions such as Ohio State University Medical Center, the University of Pretoria, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
As a mentor, he has supervised numerous postgraduate projects, guiding ten Master's projects and three doctoral theses, while also examining doctoral theses at various Nigerian and South African universities. His research interests are diverse, encompassing therapeutics, pharmacy practice, antimicrobial resistance, pharmacy education, and supply chain management.
With over sixty international publications to his credit, Prof. Ubaka continues to make significant contributions to drug utilization, pharmacoepidemiology, and pharmacy education, impacting both academic and practical spheres. His active participation in numerous international conferences as a lead panelist and speaker further underscores his expertise in the field.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Prof. Ubaka enjoys ball sports and engaging with people, embodying a spirit of connection and community. Driven by a desire to be a Distinguished Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, he aspires to make meaningful contributions to pharmacist education and the rational use of medicines in Africa.
