Prof. Mary Paschal Iwundu hails from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. She holds a B.Sc. Statistics degree from the University of Uyo, Nigeria, an M.Sc. Statistics degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Ph.D. in Statistics also from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She began her academic career on November 1, 1995, as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Uyo, where she set out life principles to chart an excellent and reputable academic career. In 2017, she rose to the rank of Professor of Statistics and was made a Fellow of the Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA). 

She has developed a strong career path in teaching and research and has made impacts in the mentorship of young academics. Her research area is Optimal Experimental Design with a special interest in Response Surface Methodology. She has supervised several postgraduate theses and dissertations; and published in reputable journals. 

Prof. Iwundu is a visionary leader with excellent administrative skills, highly strategic, team-focused, and an effective collaborator with outstanding abilities to work with people who have similar visions. She is currently a member of Faculty in the Department of Statistics at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. She has served as Head of the Department, Member of Boards and Committees; and is presently the Director of the Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office, University of Port Harcourt. Her vision for academic excellence drives her into organizing workshops on academic excellence and integrity, innovation, intellectual property management; and entrepreneurship.

Prof. Iwundu is a strong, principled, and industrious woman, and is happily married and blessed with four lovely children. Her life philosophies are centered on spreading love everywhere and never stopping to learn.