Felicia Ikolo
Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry
Biography
Dr. Felicia Ikolo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology, in School of Medicine (SOM) at St. George’s University (SGU). She is dedicated to interdisciplinary biomolecular science research and excellence in teaching.
Dr. Ikolo earned her Ph.D. in Proteomics from Northumbria University (UK) and an M.Sc. in Biomedical Science from Anglia Ruskin University (UK), where her coursework included modules such as Endocrinology, General Pathology, Metabolic Processes in Health & Disease, and Applied Research in Biomedical Science, among others. She also holds a B.Sc. in Microbiology from Bendel State University, Nigeria. Dr. Ikolo is a fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, United Kingdom.
Since joining SGU in 2001, she has held diverse roles in teaching, curriculum development, course directorship, and departmental leadership. She teaches in the MD, Charter Foundation Program (CFP), Pre-Medical, Pre-Veterinary, and School of Arts & Sciences Biology programs. She serves as SOM Judicial Advisor and Faculty Advisor for CFP & Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) students; Faculty Advisor to the SGU African Cultural Students Association, Director of the Biochemistry Laboratory, Secretary of the SGU Senate, and member of the SOM Executive Senate Committee.
Her research interests include biomolecules, enzymes, metabolic and genetic diseases (notably sickle cell disease), and gene therapy. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, co-authored book chapters, and presented at local and international conferences. Teaching and mentorship are at the heart of her work: she strives to nurture critical thinking, active learning, and connection between theory and practical applications. Dr. Ikolo is deeply involved in community engagement through the Sickle Cell Association of Grenada and collaborates with international organizations like Global Action Network for Sickle Cell & Other Inherited Blood Disorders (GANSID). She takes great satisfaction in enhancing research productivity and guiding students and junior colleagues to project success.
Contact Information
473-439-2000 ext. 3425
Areas of Interest
- Proteomics
- Molecular Biology
- Translational Genomics
- Genetic Diseases
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Metabolic Diseases
- Gene Therapy
- Biomedical Science Education
- Academic Mentorship and Faculty Development
Affiliations
- Institute of Biomedical Science, UK
- American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Biochemical Society, UK
- British Society for Proteome Research
- Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists
- Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics
- Caribbean Network of Researchers on Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia
- Sickle Cell Association of Grenada
- Global Action Network for Sickle Cell & Other Inherited Blood Disorders (GANSID)
Selected Publications
- Grygiel, A., Ikolo, F., et al. (2021). Sickle Cell Disease in Grenada: Quality of Life and Barriers to Care. Mol Genet Genomic Med, 9, e1567.
- Kruszka, P., Porras, A. R., Sobering, A. K., Ikolo, F. A., et al. (2017). Down syndrome in diverse populations. Am J Med Genet A, 173(1), 42–53.
- Ikolo, F., Zhang, M., Harrington, D. J., et al. (2015). Characterisation of SEQ0694 (PrsA/PrtM) of Streptococcus equi. Mol BioSystems, 11, 3279-3286.
Selected Projects
- Gene Therapy Innovations for Hemoglobinopathies – Book chapter and student-led poster research on emerging gene editing strategies.
- Quality of Life in SCD in Grenada – A collaborative project assessing health outcomes and care barriers.
- Characterization of PrtM Maturase in Streptococcus equi – Ph.D. dissertation project on enzymatic protein maturation pathways.
- Hereditary Blood Disorders – Studies investigating genetic mutations, inheritance patterns, and molecular mechanisms underlying conditions such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and other inherited hemoglobinopathies.
- Myocardial Infarction (MI) – Research into molecular/genetic risk factors for MI (including gene expression profiles, biomarkers, and inflammation pathways), exploring novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for MI.
SVM Research Faculty
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