SUMMARY
Research in Umesiri laboratory is focused on Organic Medicinal Chemistry - the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel bioactive compounds, ranging from antimicrobial, anticancer, to neuroprotective agents against stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Prof. Umesiri is committed to mentoring students in preclinical synthetic research efforts, and preparation for graduate programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Organic Chemistry, with research focus in Medicinal Chemistry University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
Master of Science in Chemistry, research focus in Medicinal Chemistry (cancer research) Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education, University of Lagos
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2018 -Current
Associate Professor of Chemistry, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL.
2017-2018
Associate Professor of Chemistry, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR
2011-2016
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR
Jan - May 2011
Chemistry Lecturer, Franklin College, Franklin, IN
2006-2010
Chemistry Instructor & Research Assistant, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
2006
Research Fellow, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI
2003-2005
Teaching & Research Assistant, Central Michigan University
PUBLISHED BOOKS
• Organic Chemistry: A Big Picture Approach. A new organic chemistry textbook by Francis E. Umesiri & Steven Sucheck. Kendall Hunt Publishing – Higher Education (2021). Currently in progress.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
• Umesiri FE, Funk J, Lick A, Fricke C, Nathaniel TI. Boronic-aurone Derivatives as Anti-Tubercular Agents: Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation. Med Chem 2015, 5: 437-441. doi: 10.4172/2161-0444.1000297.
• Umesiri, F.E., Lick A., Fricke C., Funk J., Nathaniel T. Anti-tubercular Activity of EDTA and Household Chemicals against Mycobacterium smegmatis, a Surrogate for Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis. European Scientific Journal, 2015, 11 (21), 133- 149.
• Nathaniel, T. I., Umesiri, Francis, Reifler, G., Haley, K., Dziopa, L., Glukhoy, J. and Dani, R. “Physiological Neuroprotective Mechanisms in Natural Genetic Systems: Therapeutic Clues for Hypoxia-Induced Brain Injuries” In Brain Injury – Pathogenesis, Monitoring, Recovery and Management, A. Agrawal (ed.), InTech, 2012
• Umesiri F.E., Sanki A.K., Boucau J., Ronning D.R., Sucheck S.J. Recent Advances towards the Synthesis of mAG and LAM Synthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Medicinal Research Reviews 2010, 30, 2, 290-326 • Aditiya S.K., Boucau J., Umesiri F.E., Ronning D.R., Sucheck S.J. Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Sugar-derived Esters, α-Ketoesters and α-Ketoamides as inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigen 85C. Mol. BioSyst. 2009; 5, 945-956.
• Nathaniel T.I., Saras A., Umesiri F.E., Olajuyigbe F. Tolerance to Oxygen Nutrient Deprivation in the Hippocampal Slices of the Naked Mole Rats. J. Integr. Neurosci. 2009; 8, 123-136.
• Nathaniel T.I., Umesiri F.E., Olajuyigbe F. Role of M1 receptor in the locomotion behavior of the African mole-rat (Cryptomys sp). Neurosci. 2008; 7:1-16 • Nathaniel T.I., Umesiri F.E. Neuroethopharmacology of Locomotion: Effect of manipulating central M1 receptor on locomotion behavior of rats. JBNR 2008; 6: 1-9. SAMPLE .
PRESENTATIONS
• Umesiri, F. E. April 2019. Oral Presentation at the American Chemical Society National Meeting, Orlando, FL, March 31- April 4, 2019. Title: “From Walmart to Target: Current initiatives to remove toxic chemicals from personal Care products”
• Umesiri, F. E., Eliza Hanson. April 2018. Poster Presentation at the Arkansas Academy of Science 102nd Annual Meeting, Arkansas State University, AR. Title: “Novel peptoids as antimicrobial agents.”
• Umesiri, F. E., Lexi Hall. June 2017. Poster Presentation at the Drug Discovery and Development Colloquium (DDDC 2017), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR. Title: “Peptoids as antimicrobial agents.”
• Umesiri, F. E. July 2015. American Scientific Affiliation (ASA), Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK. Oral presentation titled: “Fasting: At the Intersection of Science and Listening Faith”
• Umesiri F. E. March 2014. Oral Presentation. “Understanding Classroom Goal Structure and Improving Students' Motivation to Learn.” 25th International Conference on College Teaching and Learning, Ponte Vedra, Florida.
• Umesiri F.E., Ashley Lick. November 2014. Oral Presentation: Title: Boronic aurones as anti-tuberculosis agents. By Ashley Lick. ARKANSAS INBRE Research Conference, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
• Umesiri FE., Fricke C., Lick A. November 2014. Boronic-Aurones as MDM2 Antagonists: Potential Target for New Breast Cancer Agents. American Chemical Society Southwest Regional Conference, at Columbia, MO.
• Umesiri FE. Classroom Goal Structure and Students’ Motivation to Learn in Organic Chemistry. November 2013. American Chemical Society Southwest Regional Conference, Waco, Texas.
• Umesiri F. E., Lick A., Lochala J., Wright H., Garrison C. November 2013. Anti-tubercular Activity of EDTA and Household Chemicals against Mycobacterium smegmatis. American Chemical Society Southwest Regional Conference, Waco, Texas.
• Umesiri F.E., Sanki A.K., Boucau J., Ronning D.R., Sucheck S.J. 2009. Synthesis and biological evaluation of carbohydrate-based 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds as inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen 85C. Oral Presentation at the5th Midwest Carbohydrate and Glycobiology Symposium, Cleveland, OH October 3rd – 4th,
• Umesiri F.E., Sanki A.K., Boucau J., Ronning D.R., Sucheck S.J. 2009. Synthesis of Transition State Inhibitors of Antigen 85C. Oral Presentation at Mid-Atlantic Graduate Student Symposium (MAGSS) in Medicinal Chemistry held at the University of Toledo, OH.
• Umesiri F.E., Sanki A.K., Boucau J., Ronning D.R., Sucheck S.J. 2008. Carbohydrate-based Inhibitors of Antigen 85: A Potential Target for Development of Anti-tubercular Drugs. 2008. A poster Presentation at the American Chemical Society Annual Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Umesiri F.E., Sanki A.K., Boucau J., Ronning D.R., Sucheck S.J. 2008. Synthesis and biological evaluation of transition state inhibitors of antigen 85. A poster presentation at the Sigma Xi Student Research day, University of Toledo, OH
• Umesiri F.E. 2007. Synthesis of 5-Arylidene-2,3-Disubstituted-4-Thiazolidone Derivatives with CDK2 Inhibitory Activity, As Anti-Proliferative Agents. (Non-dissertation Original Research Proposal presented at the Chemistry Department, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH.
GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIPS/ AWARDS
Total Grant Amount so far: $42,000
Completed Research Support
Wheaton College Summer Research Fellowship (3 Students) 05/20/2019 – 07/26/2019
Research focus on: Inhibition of lipoic acid biosynthesis and salvage pathway.
Faculty Development Scholar Award, JBU (Umesiri, PI) 05/20/2017 – 07/26/2017 Research focus on: Development of peptoids as neuroprotective agents.
JBU Summer Scholars Fellowship (Umesiri, PI) 05/01/2012 - 05/30/2014 Investigating Benzofuranone-based Derivatives as Inhibitors of Antigen 85 Complex: A Potential Target for Development of New Anti-tuberculosis Drugs Major goals: To develop novel synthetic compounds with potent inhibitory activity against antigen 85C, which could be translated into new anti-tubercular gents.
Arkansas Statewide Undergraduate Research Fellowships (Umesiri, awardee supervisor) 01/5/2013-12/17/2014. Synthesis of Novel Boronic-Aurones as MDM2 Antagonists: Potential Target for New Breast Cancer Agents. Major Goals: To synthesize and evaluate biological activity of four novel boronic-aurone compounds as anti-tumor agents targeting MDM2, as proof of concept that this class of new compounds are inhibitors of MDM2.
Major grants authored or co-authored
NIH INBRE (2014). Novel Boronic-aurone Derivatives as Anti-tumor Agents Targeting MDM2 Inhibition. $255,000.00. Not Funded.
NSF RUI (2013) Submitted proposal to National Science Foundation (NSF) for a Research in Undergraduate institutions (RUI) grant to fund research to develop novel synthetic probes and inhibitors for Mycobacterium tuberculosis malonyl-CoA:acyl protein transacylase ($300,000.00). Not Funded.
NIH TRO1 (2009) Neurochemical mechanism of metabolic suppression. $956,789.00. Development of neuroprotective strategies against Nerve agent attack (DPMR) 2009; Not Funded. NIH R15 (2010) Central mechanism regulating hypoxia tolerance ($300,000.00); Scored and advanced to scientific committee.
STUDENT MENTORSHIP IN RESEARCH
• Mentoring undergraduate students in research is a top priority of Umesiri laboratory. Over 25 students have been trained and mentored in the lab. Almost of these students have gone on to graduate programs in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or professional programs in Pharmacy, Medicine etc.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
• Assessment Committee, JBU – 2012 - 2015
• Undergraduate Education Taskforce JBU - 2015
• JBU Health Professions advisory Committee – 2012 – 2018
• Diversity Committee, Wheaton – 2019 - current
MEMBERSHIP OF ORGANIZATIONS
• Member: American chemical society - Member
• National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) – Member
AWARDS
Outstanding Teaching award (cash and certificate) 2010: For outstanding teaching and student mentoring activities. Chemistry department, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
First place award (Gift card and a certificate) 2008: For best poster presentation at the Sigma Xi graduate students’ research presentation at the University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Louis Stokes Minority Fellowship and Ohio Science Alliance Fellowship award 2006: To serve as student coordinator of outreach programs to minority students in STEM fields, aimed at increasing retention and graduation rates.
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