Akpan Ubong-Abasi is a PhD student in African/African American Religions in the Department of Religion, Rice University. He received his M.A in the Comparative Study of Religions (distinction) from Nigeria’s premier university; the University of Ibadan, a PGD-Education from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria and B.A in Religious and Cultural Studies from the University of Calabar, Nigeria.

Akpan’s research interest is in the Comparative Study of Religions with keen attention to interaction of religions/inter-faith relations, theorizing measures and paradigms toward addressing intra/inter faith conflicts. His current research trajectory is in New Age/ New Religious Movements in African/African American studies. Beyond the academics, he is a sports enthusiast, listens to different genre of music and love to eat food from different cultures.

Why I decided to go to grad school:

Grad school is a springboard toward the advancement of my career goals.

Fun fact about me:

I am a numismatic (I collect currencies of different countries for a reason I am yet to find out).

Favorite thing about Rice:

Diversity!

Favorite thing about Houston:

The weather and variety of restaurants.