DELSU Student Wins 2024 NEURONEXUS Competition for Groundbreaking Research on Epilepsy

Delta State University, Abraka, is celebrating a significant achievement as Miss Uche Esther Festus, a final-year student of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, has been named the winner of the 2024 NEURONEXUS competition.

Her research, which investigates the protective effects of natural flavonoids on kidney damage caused by alcohol-induced seizures, took top honors at the international event titled "The Future of Neuro Scientific Research."

Reacting to the news, the Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, praised Miss Festus for her groundbreaking work, describing it as a major win not only for the university but for the entire field of neuroscience. "This recognition of Uche’s work shows that we are making progress in research that matters for humanity," Egwunyenga said, emphasizing the university’s dedication to supporting innovative student-led research.

Miss Festus’ project, supervised by Dr. Ben-Azu Benneth, Principal Investigator of DELSU’s Joint Canada-Israel Neuroscience and Biopsychiatry Laboratory, explored the complex relationship between epilepsy, alcohol use, and kidney function. Her findings are especially relevant as epilepsy and alcohol use disorder are increasingly co-occurring conditions, with alcohol often used as a coping mechanism for the anxiety and stigma associated with the disease. Her research identified potential protective benefits of flavonoids against kidney damage in this context.

The Vice Chancellor also extended his gratitude to Miss Festus’ mentors, Dr. Benneth and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Aliance Romain Fokoua from the University of Dschang, Cameroon, crediting their guidance for helping her excel on the global stage.

The NEURONEXUS competition, organized by the Brain Wellness Initiative (BWI), an international non-profit brain research group based in South Africa, attracts entries from all over the world. Miss Festus’ victory puts her at the forefront of undergraduate neuroscience research. The second and third place winners came from Tanzania, India, and other Nigerian universities.

In recognition of her accomplishment, Miss Festus received a travel grant to present her research findings at the 2024 Neuroscience Society of Nigeria Conference. She called for more research into the interaction between epilepsy and alcohol-related kidney damage, emphasizing the need for new therapies to better manage these conditions.

Her success is yet another milestone for Delta State University, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in research and innovation.