Dr. Margaret Idongesit Ekpenyong is a seasoned medical professional with over three decades of extensive clinical and research experience with several certifications. A graduate of the University of Calabar with a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences (1986) and MBBS from the University of Benin (1992), she has consistently demonstrated a passion for improving health outcomes through evidence-based clinical practice and groundbreaking research in public health and tropical medicine.

Dr. Ekpenyong currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer a Gynecologist and Director, Head of the Research Clinic at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD). In this capacity, she leads clinical trials and Clinical research initiatives focused on phytomedicine, notably the NIPRISAN trial, which contributed to the development and commercialization of the sickle cell Phyto medicine marketed as Niclovix by May and Baker. She also serves as the Co-Principal Investigator for the SIFCoVAN study. A multi centre triple-blind randomized clinical trial on Safety and immunogenicity of fractional doses of COVID-19 vaccine amongst Nigerian Adults.

Her clinical expertise spans obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, and emergency care. Her commitment to community health is demonstrated through active involvement in immunization programs and collaborative efforts with NGOs for HIV/AIDS interventions.

In addition to her hands-on clinical practice, Dr. Ekpenyong has played a pivotal role in advancing herbal and phytomedical research, contributing to numerous national and international publications. Her work includes clinical evaluations of antimalarial and antidiabetic herbal remedies, and studies on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and immune system markers in Nigeria.

Recognized for her dedication, she has received several awards including the Best Resident Award in Obstetrics and Gynecology (2007), NIPRD Long Service Award, and a Humanitarian Award (2018). Dr. Ekpenyong is an advocate for ethical clinical practice, capacity building, and sustainable health solutions that integrate modern and traditional medicine.