Dr. Wilfred Angie Abia | Mycotoxicology | Best Researcher Award
University of Yaounde 1 | Cameroon
Dr. Wilfred Angie Abia is a distinguished scholar in Biochemistry and Food Safety, currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon, and Assistant Coordinator of Professional Master’s Programmes in Food Safety. With a PhD in Biochemistry specializing in food contaminants, safety, and toxicology, he has gained extensive postdoctoral experience across Africa, Europe, and the UK, notably at Queen’s University Belfast, where he worked on food fraud detection, biomarker development, and chemical risk assessment. His research spans agri-food safety, toxicology, food fraud authentication, One Health, and the neuroscience of mycotoxins. As CEO of the Agri-Food Safety and One Health Agency, Dr. Abia is a key voice in food safety diplomacy and sustainable development, mentoring numerous postgraduate students. A prolific researcher and editorial board member of leading journals, he has authored widely cited publications advancing the science of food safety, public health, and toxicology globally.
Profile:
Orcid
Education:
Dr. Wilfred Angie Abia obtained a PhD in Biochemistry (Food Safety) from the University of Yaoundé I , where his doctoral research focused on multi-mycotoxin contamination in food commodities and its effects on HIV-positive individuals. Before this, he earned a Master’s degree in Nutritional Biochemistry from the University of Buea with distinction, after completing a thesis on the nutritional composition of traditional Cameroonian foods. His academic foundation was established with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Technology at the University of Buea. He further expanded his international exposure as a visiting scholar at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (IFA-BOKU), Austria, under the EU MycoRed Project, where he specialized in multi-mycotoxin biomonitoring and dietary exposure assessments. Beyond formal degrees, Dr. Abia has pursued professional certifications in toxicology, project management, food fraud prevention, science diplomacy, and research grant writing, strengthening his multidisciplinary expertise.
Experience:
Dr. Wilfred Angie Abia has extensive academic, research, and administrative experience in biochemistry, food safety, toxicology, and One Health sciences. He is currently a Senior Lecturer of Biochemistry at the University of Yaoundé I and Assistant Coordinator of Professional Master’s Programmes in Food Safety and Public Health Biotechnology. His career includes several postdoctoral fellowships and research management roles in Austria, South Africa, Cameroon, and the UK, where he contributed to high-impact projects such as FoodSafer (EU), EIT Food Fortress, and MycoMarker. He has supervised numerous MSc students in food safety, toxicology, and public health, producing graduates who now contribute to science and health sectors. In addition, he serves as CEO of the Agri-Food Safety and One Health Agency, Cameroon, and has been involvedcompose roles in science diplomacy, cultural associations, and professional societies. His teaching spans toxicology, food fraud, chemical risk assessment, project management, and entrepreneurship across several African universities and institutes.
Awards and Honors:
Dr. Wilfred Angie Abia has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to science, academia, and community development. He graduated with distinction in both his MSc and PhD studies, reflecting his academic excellence. His international engagements have earned him competitive postdoctoral fellowships in South Africa, Austria, and the United Kingdom. He has been entrusted with leadership positions such as CEO of the Agri-Food Safety and One Health Agency and Assistant Coordinator of Professional Master’s Programmes in Food Safety. As a mentor and supervisor, he has guided many postgraduate students to successful completions of their research. He has also been recognized through professional society appointments, including executive roles in the African Society of Mycotoxicology, Central African Society of Toxicology, and advisory roles in the Global One Health for One Planet Education Initiative. His editorial board memberships in multiple peer-reviewed journals further demonstrate his standing in the international scientific community.
Research Focus:
Dr. Wilfred Angie Abia research focus centers on food safety, toxicology, food fraud, and One Health approaches to public health. His expertise spans the study of mycotoxins and other food contaminants, their dietary exposure pathways, and the associated health risks in humans and animals. He has conducted significant work on mycotoxin biomarkers, dietary exposure assessments, and human biomonitoring, particularly in vulnerable populations such as people living with HIV. His work also investigates food fraud, authenticity testing, and the development of rapid detection systems to protect consumer health and ensure food integrity. In addition, his interests extend to chemical risk assessment of food, drugs, and environmental pollutants, as well as climate-smart agriculture, hunger eradication, and waste-to-nutrition solutions. His interdisciplinary approach integrates biochemistry, toxicology, environmental sciences, and policy, with a strong emphasis on science diplomacy. Overall, his research contributes to advancing global food security, nutrition safety, and sustainable health systems under the One Health framework.
Publication:
Title: Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Mycotoxins Exposure and Effect on Brain Development in Infants and Young Children
Year: 2025
Title: Exploration of the Impact of Dietary Carcinogens on Cancer Risk: A Scoping Review
Year: 2025
Title: Integrating One Health for Enhanced Food Security and Safety in Sub-Saharan Africa: Addressing Nutrition, Health, and Climate Change Challenges
Year: 2025
Title: Mycotoxin management: exploring natural solutions for mycotoxin prevention and detoxification in food and feed
Year: 2024
Title: Assessment of urinary biomarkers of mycotoxin exposure in adults from Cameroon
Year: 2024
Title: Agri-food fraud in Africa vis-à-vis global health
Year: 2024
Title: Aflatoxins in Cameroon: Occurrence, Potential Health Risks and the Way Forward in Implementing the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) Country-Led Model
Year: 2024
Title: Mycotoxin exposure biomonitoring in breastfed and non-exclusively breastfed Nigerian children
Year: 2020 (Preprint)
Title: Assessment of urinary biomarkers of mycotoxin exposure in adults from Cameroon
Year: 2020 (Preprint)
Title: Mycotoxins in uncooked and plate-ready household food from rural northern Nigeria
Year: 2019
Title: Uncommon toxic microbial metabolite patterns in traditionally home-processed maize dish (fufu) consumed in rural Cameroon
Year: 2017
Title: Fate of mycotoxins in two popular traditional cereal-based beverages (kunu-zaki and pito) from rural Nigeria
Year: 2015
Conclusion:
Dr. Wilfred Angie Abia is a distinguished researcher whose career reflects a blend of scientific excellence, leadership, mentorship, and international collaboration. His contributions to food safety, toxicology, and One Health are highly relevant to current global challenges in nutrition, health, and food security. With a strong publication record, extensive supervisory experience, and leadership roles in academic and professional societies, he demonstrates the qualities of an outstanding researcher. With minor strategic refinements, his already impressive profile can become even more impactful. Overall, Dr. Abia is highly suitable for recognition through the Research for Best Researcher Award.