Professor Francisca N Okeke (SoM Dec 2021)

Professor Okeke is a Nigerian born Magnetospheric physicist whose research is being used to tackle climate change. Her research continues to make strides in the scientific field . As well as research she in a mentor to many future scientists

Professor Okeke with her ’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award (2013)

For Professor Okeke, Magnetospheric physics encompasses the study of ‘the earths surface into about 1000 kilometres’ into space. In 2013, her work on ‘ion currents in the upper atmosphere’ earned her a L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award, revolutionising the metrics used in Climate change research. Her research focused on solar variations and applications to upper mantle conductivity in west Africa. She uses ground-based observation and satellite data to collect weather parameters. The research is being applied to phenomena such as Earthquakes and tsunamis. Prof Okeke brought National attention to her country, spotlighting Nigeria as a focal point for scientific research. She continues to emphasise that climate change is global and will inevitably affect our ‘health’, ‘agriculture’, and ‘economy’.

Solar winds and the magnetosphere

In recent years Professor Okeke’s studies have focused on the effect of solar winds on the magnetosphere. Geo-induced currents formed from fluctuating magnetic fields have adverse effects on the planet telecoms systems and other systems reliant on magnetic fields. Okeke continues to study the effect of solar flares on ionised and charged particles in the Magnetosphere. Most recently, Professor Okeye has challenged assumptions made in magnetospheric physics. She emphasises that models of geomagnetic field interactions do not match observations. Professor Okeke proposes an interdisciplinary approach to geomagnetism. In her words magnetic storms must be understood ‘before they have a large negative impact on our lives’. She is currently focussing on three assumptions:

‘There is no plasma inside the magnetosphere’

‘There is no magnetic field outside of the magnetosphere’

‘The transitions layer between the plasma and the geomagnetic field is negligible’

Mentoring and Leadership

Professor Okeke prioritises mentorship and has made great strides in introducing more women to the scientific field. She was the first female head of Physics for the University of Nigeria and eventually became the first female Dean of the Faculty of Science. Her approach to mentorship is to encourage open communication, representation and guidance. In her interview with Science education, she proposes, more representation of female scientists in movies and guidance counsellors for girls of the younger generation. She has supervised over 40 post-graduate projects in her time at the University of Nigeria. She is described as someone who pushes research to the brink and is valued for her supervision.

Professor Okeye believes that the world is dynamic, and more research is needed. As Climate change research becomes more prominent, Professor Francesca N Okeke acts a spotlight not just for herself but for female Nigerian scientists who wish to make their mark in Scientific research.