Victor Madu Ibeanusi, Ph.D.
Dr. Ibeanusi’s commitment to safe water issues span more than 25 years and have continued with a renewed vision that is rooted within local and rural communities around the world. Through this effort, Professor Ibeanusi is promoting a series of global safe water initiatives that address issues on: access, health and disease control, security, education at all levels, risk communication, pollution control, privatization, trade and policies.
Currently, Professor Ibeanusi serves as the chair of the environmental science and studies department at Spelman College. Through his research as an environmental microbiologist, Professor Ibeanusi has secured a U.S. patent on bioremediation that has been shown to be effective in removing toxic metals from water and waste streams.
As an international scholar, Dr. Ibeanusi is a recipient of the: Senior Fulbright Fellow (www.cies.org) designed to support curricular and institutional planning at academic institutions in 140 countries around the world. He is also a recipient of the Fannie Lou Hamer Achievement Award in recognition for his contributions to the community made in the spirit of service, justice, love and progress, AT&T Foundation Industrial Ecology Fellowship and has participated in several national and international environmental programs.
Professor Ibeanusi served as the chair for the first, second and third International Conferences on Safe Water held in Atlanta, Johannesburg, South Africa, and San Diego, Calif., respectively. He continued this position in the upcoming fourth and fifth International Conferences on Safe Water, and the ECOWAS in Abuja Nigeria.
On Feb. 22, 2005, Mayor Shirley Franklin and the city of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management honored Professor Ibeanusi during a Black History Month celebration. He was recognized for his significant contributions to the water and waste-water industries and environmental sciences.In addition, he was included in the “African-American Pioneers in Water & Environmental Sciences” exhibit on display in the City Hall Atrium, Feb. 2 –March 8.
The exhibit recognized pioneers from yesterday whose inventions established the foundation for processes currently used in the management or recreational use of water and the environment; outstanding men and women who are making creative contributions in the field today and young people who are embarked on a path of creating a better environment for the future.