Amarachi Uma Mba

Amarachi Nina Uma Mba is a second-year Ph.D. student in Communication Studies at West Virginia University, from South-East Nigeria. She strongly believes that health outcomes and communication play vital roles in people’s lives and is convinced that many of today’s challenges can be addressed through effective communication. Her research focuses on health communication, with an emphasis on health misinformation, patient–provider interactions, and culturally framed persuasion strategies. This includes examining how social and cultural narratives shape health behaviors and decision-making.

Before joining WVU, Amarachi earned her B.A. in Mass Communication from Abia State University, Uturu, and an M.Sc. in Communication Studies with a specialization in health communication and a minor in public relations and advertising from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. With more than eight years of professional experience in broadcast media and teaching, she has continued her academic career as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, teaching COMM 104: Fundamentals of Public Communication and COMM 306: Organizational Communication, and currently teaching COMM 309: Health Communication and COMM 112: Small Group Communication.

Beyond academics, Amarachi is deeply engaged in leadership and service. She serves as the Senator representing the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and SGA Liaison Officer for the Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) at WVU, and is an appointed member of the Morgantown Health and Wellness Commission with the Morgantown City Council. Outside of work, Amarachi enjoys cooking, trying new recipes, and sharing meals with friends, as she sees food as another form of communication that builds connection and community.

• B.A Mass Communication.
• Msc. Communication Studies.