 Dr. George Ude
Associate Professor
Department of Natural SciencesDr. George Ude is an associate professor of biology in the Department of Natural Sciences at Bowie State University, and an adjunct professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Maryland, College Park. He obtained his PhD in plant breeding and genetics at the University of Maryland. In fall 2009, Dr. Ude was the co-principal investigator for a National Science Foundation grant awarded to Bowie State University totaling nearly $600,000 to support the establishment of a genomic training lab and the introduction of a new Applied Biotechnology course. Previously, he worked at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Beltsville, Md., on DNA characterization of the world collections of soybeans, opium poppy and erythroxyllum coca (cocaine plants) using novel molecular techniques. In addition, Dr. Ude has worked with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture as the molecular geneticist in charge of molecular marker assisted breeding in the banana and plantain breeding program. His research interests include the application of biotechnology in the enhancement of tropical crops, and he is one of the leading African scientists in the phylogenetic studies of the Musa species (bananas and plantains) using molecular tools. He is widely published in highly rated journals such as the American Journal of Crop Science, Theoretical and Applied Genetics, Plant Genetic Resources, Journal of Genetics and Breeding, Phytopathology and is the editor-in-chief of the most frequently published and most widely distributed scientific journal focusing on Africa, the African Journal of Biotechnology (click here). Dr. Ude is the founder and president of the International Society of African Bioscientists and Biotechnologists (ISABB), http://www.isabbio.org/. This is an organization of African life scientists in the Diaspora, with a mission to support research and development in the continent of Africa. Furthermore, Dr. Ude has initiated several scholarly programs designed to encourage minority students' participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Currently, he is leading a team of biology students to produce BioMusic CDs, with the support of a rap music artist. BioMusic songs are created with lyrics derived from the general education biology curriculum at Bowie State University. He also organizes the biannual Molecular Biology Class Symposium at BSU bringing together government, industry, faculty and student speakers to discuss hot topics in biotechnology. Dr. Ude also founded the National Math and Science plus Academy Inc., an organization that provides tutoring opportunities for high school students in mathematics and the sciences. Dr. Ude is the national coordinator of the Youths and Singles Fellowship of the Christ Apostolic Church in North America and serves as the national director of a student-based Christian organization in the United States, known as the Bethel Campus Fellowship, Inc. Dr. Ude received the Bowie State University Model Institutions for Excellence Initiative (MIE) 2007-2008 Exemplary Mentor Award for distinguished scholarly work and his support of the STEM domain and the MIE program. He was also nominated by peers to receive the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Creative Work Award in 2009 for excellence in integrating technology into biology curriculum through the BioMusic project. Dr. Ude is married to Assumpta Ude. They have two sons, Onyedikachi and Chinonso, and a daughter, Amarachi. | 
In October 2008, Nikki E. Owens, a junior at Bowie State University, received a Milton Pericles Darden III Memorial Scholarship from the Scott Lee Foundation during its First Annual Nicole Lynette Scott Lee Memorial Scholarship Awards Reception. 
Dr. Clarence E. Knight, Jr., chairman of the Fine and Performing Arts Department at Bowie State University. Under his leadership, the Department has grown considerably with new and exciting programs and an increase in the majors in each of the Fine and Performing Arts concentrations. 
Talented Baltimore vocalist Lisa Mack began singing at the age of 4. Her talent helped her win the crown of Miss Bowie State University in 1992 and placed her as a finalist at the 6th annual Miss Collegiate African American Pageant.
