About the Founder

Miracle Chibuzor Marcel is the Founder and Director of the Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab), a nonprofit online platform dedicated to advancing STEM education through hands-on astronomy and space science activities across Africa. With a background in physics and astronomy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, his early academic journey was largely theoretical due to limited access to hands-on research opportunities in Africa. Driven by a passion for hands-on experience, he sought out collaborations with leading international organizations, sparking his remarkable journey in citizen science.

Chibuzor’s expertise spans a wide range of projects, including asteroid searches with the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), exoplanet observation and photometry with NASA’s Exoplanet Watch, double star studies with the Institute for Student Astronomical Research (InStAR), RR Lyrae star research with Our Solar Siblings, variable star observations with the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), ISS radio contact via ARISS, and robotic telescope observations with the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO), Slooh, and Micro Observatory. He is also skilled in astrophotography, processing data from LCO, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the James Webb Space Telescope to create stunning visuals.

Beyond research, Chibuzor’s commitment to education and outreach shines through PACS e-Lab, a platform that has engaged over 1,000 educators, students, and STEM enthusiasts across 50 African countries—and continues to grow. By integrating these global projects, PACS e-Lab is democratizing astronomy and empowering underrepresented communities in Africa with practical skills and opportunities. Looking ahead, Chibuzor envisions establishing an observatory in his hometown to serve as PACS e-Lab’s headquarters for research, education, and outreach.

In addition to his leadership at PACS e-Lab, Chibuzor collaborates with Free AstroScience to deliver bi-monthly astronomy lectures and podcast. He and his team welcome global partnerships to share their expertise and vision. Through collaboration, EduTech, and innovation, Chibuzor is addressing Africa’s unique challenges in astronomy, transforming access to space science across the continent.

Professional Affiliations

Early Career Researcher, The Meteoritical Society March 2025-Present

Associate member, African Astronomical Society March 2025-Present

Member, Europlanet Society March 2025-Present

Member, American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) April 2024–Present

Global Sky Partner, Las Cumbres Observatory August 2023–Present

IASC ‘s African Regional Coordinator 2020-Present

Contact Person, IAU Office of Astronomy for Education, Nigeria 2020 – 2024

Conferences & Talks

Virtual Oral Presentation at the 5th African Astronomical Society Conference March 2025

Title: Transformation of Astronomy Research, Education, and Outreach in Africa through PACS e-Lab Projects

See: Abstract

Virtual Oral Presentation at the HamSCI Workshop 2025 March 2025

Title: PACS e-Lab’s Space Education Initiatives in Africa through Amateur Radio on the International Space Station.

See: Abstract

Virtual Oral Presentation at the ANSOLE ́s 14th Anniversary International Online Conference February 2025

(A2 IOC 2025) & 1st WAITRO SDG7 Working Group Online Conference (WAITRO-WG7-25)

Title: Fostering Astronomy Engagement in Africa through the PACS e-Lab Projects

See: Abstracts

Virtual Oral presentation at the 83rd International Scientific Conference of the Institute of Astronomy February 2025 University of Latvia.

Title: Astronomy Democratization in Africa through the PACS e-Lab Projects

See: Abstract book & Certificate

Virtual Oral presentation at the 113th AAVSO Annual Meeting in Huntsville, Alabama, USA, November 2024
Title: Empowering African Youths in Astronomy: The Impact of PACS e-Lab

See: Abstract, Recording and Conference Proceedings in pg 75-81

Virtual Oral presentation at the Global Hands-On Universe 2024 Online Conference. September 2024
Title: Promoting Astronomy Research, Education, and Outreach in Africa through Citizen Science

See: Recording and Certificate.

Session Convener and Virtual Oral presentation at the Science Summit of the 79th United Nations September 2024
General Assembly in New York City, USA.

Session Title: Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab: An Emerging Online Platform for Astronomy Research, Education, and Outreach in Africa.

See: Speakers & Certificate.

Virtual Oral presentation at the 56th Conference on Variable Stars in Litomyšl, Czechia September 2024
Title: Introducing Citizen Science Projects in Africa by PACS e-Lab.

See: Certificate

Virtual Oral presentation at the 155th Global Star Party of the Explore Alliance, Online August 2024
Title: Overview of PACS e-Lab’s Activities in Africa

See: Speakers.

Virtual Oral presentation at the 32nd IAU General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa. August 2024
Title: Modern Astronomy Education and Outreach Endeavors in Africa.

See: Recording & Certificate.

Contributed a talk at the LCO Global Sky Partners Monthly Virtual Meeting July 2024
Title: Overview of PACS e-Lab’s Activities in Africa.

See: Recording.

Contributed a talk at the Space Water Environment Nexus Webinar July 2024
Title: Overview of PACS e-Lab’s Activities in Africa

See: Recording & Certificate.

Virtual Oral presentation at the World Asteroid Day Online Meeting June 2023
Title: World Asteroid Day: Africa’s Side of the Story and Contributions

See: Recording.

Entry-Level Research Supervision

Astrometric Measurement of the Double-Star System WDS 03209+4512 ES 1311 AB
Abdelouahed Yassine, Zouhair Belmina, Meryem Sekkay et al., Link

Astrometric Measurement of the Double-Star System WDS 09168-3407 B 1118
Elijah Ibharalu et al, Link

CCD Observation of the Double Star System WDS 00311+5454 ES 933
Jorbedom Leelabari Gerald et al., Link

Unveiling a Binary Star: New Astrometric Analysis of WDS 01497+5355 ES 761
Mohamed Mostafa Elattar et al., Link

New Astrometric Measurements of the Double-Star System WDS 18234-4819 B 938
Vladyslav Andrukhiv et al., Link

New Astrometric Measurements of the Position Angle and Separation of the Double Star System WDS 15453-4949 B 2365
Islam Alaa Fathallah et al., Link

Astronomy Lectures

This Astronomy lectures is a collaborative effort between PACS e-Lab and the Free AstroScience

Asteroids: Citizen Science in Asteroid Detection and Planetary Defense April 2024

See: Link

The Solar System April 2024

See: Link

Stars: First Series May 2024

See: Link

Stars: Second Series May 2024

See: Link

3rd Series on Stars: Black Holes July 2024

See: Link

4th Series on Stars: Neutron Stars July 2024

See: Link

5th Series on Stars: White Dwarf Stars July 2024

See: Link

Exoplanets July 2024

See: Link

Binary Star and Multiple Star Systems Sept 2024

See: Link

Star Cluster Sept. 2024

See: Link

Nebula Jan. 2025

See: Link

The Milky Way Galaxy Feb 2025

See: Link

Introduction to Galaxies: Part 1 Feb 2025

See: Link

Andromeda and the Local Group Feb 2025

See: Link