Alexander Kwadwo Nyarko

Address:   Room 12, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana Legon

Email:    anyarko@ug.edu.gh ; akn115@ugmail/com

ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9923-360X 

Scopus ID:  https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=6603689863 

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Nyarko%20AK 

Research Gate:  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexander-Nyarko

Google Scholar:  https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=77gWAp4AAAAJ&hl=en

Current Research

  1. Drug Rediscovery and Quality Assessment 

    1. Assessing Plant Medicines for antioxidant properties

      In this project, we use in vitro and in vivo assays to investigate the free radical modulatory and lipid peroxidative inhibitory effects of selected plant medicines. 

    2. Anti-microbial effects of Plant Medicines: 

      Efficacy, safety and quality of plant medicines for treatment of various microbial infections (malaria, HIV, Herpes and Viral Hepatitis) 

    3. Anti-tumor effects of Plant Medicines against various cancer cells: 

      Cytotoxicity studies of plant medicines against various cancers

  2. H3Africa Kidney Disease Research Network: Develop the capacity to conduct genomic studies of kidney disease in sub-Saharan Africa through a collaborative research network. The study aims at establishing a cohort of participants (cases and controls) to help in collectively enhancing access to genetics research in Africa. Activities collection of blood samples for DNA isolation, genotyping for APOL1 variants and perform Genome Wide Association (GWAS) to identify new genetic risk loci.

Education

1989 – 1995         Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), (Pharmacology and Toxicology), Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, Philadelphia PA USA

1981 – 1983         Master of Science (MSc), (Biochemistry) University Ghana, Legon Ghana

2001 – 2005         Bachelor of Science (B. Sc. Hons), (Biochemistry with Chemistry), University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

Research Experience

1989 - 2012          Full-time Research Scientist, Department of Clinical Pathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

Teaching Experience

Courses/part-courses taught since 2012

  1. School of Pharmacy
  • PHMD 141Cell Physiology, PHMD 241: General Principles of Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetic
  • PHMD 242: Autonomic Pharmacology: Adrenergic Pharmacology
  • PHMD 243: Experimental Pharmacology
  • PHAR 341: Endocrine and Immunopharmacology: Drugs for management of diabetes mellitus
  • PHAR 342: Systems Pharmacology: Diuretics
  • PHMD 341: Autocoids and Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Eicosanoids and NSAIDs
  • PHMD 344: Pharmacology of Musculoskeletal Drugs NSAIDS I & NSAIDs II
  • PHAR 344: Principles of Toxicology
  • GPEP542: Toxicology and Risk Assessment: Toxicokinetic/dynamics ad organ toxicity
  • GPEP544: Clinical Trials and Pharmacovigilance: Clinical Trials
  1. School of Veterinary Medicine
  • VPSC 316: Cardiovascular & Renal Pharmacology
  • VPCS 317: Principles of pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics
  1. Graduate Course
  • M.Sc. Dietetics: DIET621 Pharmacology in dietetics
  • M.Phil Pharmacology: PHAM609 Drug development and Clinical trial
  • M.Phil Nurse: PAED606 Paediatric pharmacology
  1. Supervision Student Research To Date
  • HND (Polytechnic student projects/internship)                        = 8
  • B.Sc. research projects                                                                        >20
  • M.Phil. Research projects                                                                   =31
  • PhD                                                                                                              = 5
  • Postdoctoral supervision/mentoring                                             = 7

Administrative Experience

  1. 1996-98 and 1998-2001:           Deputy Director, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (N.M.I.M.R.), University of Ghana, Legon Ghana
  2. 2001 to 2003 and 2005 to October 2006; Head, Department of Clinical Pathology, N.M.I.M.R, University of Ghana, Legon
  3. 2006 – 2009: Director, NMIMR, University of Ghana, Legon Ghana (first term)
  4. 2009 – 2012: Director, NMIMR, University of Ghana, Legon Ghana (second term)
  5. 2012 – 2016: Dean, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, Legon Ghana 

Publications

  1. Tchokouaha Yamthe, L.R., Philips, T.J., Osei-Safo, D., Djouonzo, P.T., Agyapong, O., Dotse, E., Fokou, P.V.T., Kwofie, S.K., Boyom, F.K., Nyarko, A.K, Regina Appiah-Opong, Michael David Wilson (2020) Antileishmanial effects of Sargassum vulgare products and prediction of trypanothione reductase inhibition by fucosterol Future Drug Discovery 2(3) doi.org/10.4155/fdd-2020-0002
  2. Abankwa, J.K., Dotse, E., Appiah-Opong, R., Nyarko, A.K. (2020) Antioxidant and anti-prostate cancer activities of Moringa oleifera, Phyllanthus amarus and Carica papaya. Health Sciences Investigations (HSI) Journal 1 (1), 24-30
  3. Adi-Dako O, Kumadoh D, Egbi G, Okyem, S, Addo, PY, Nyarko, A, Osei-Asare C, Oppong EE, and Adase E (2021) Strategies for formulation of effervescent granules of an herbal product for the management of typhoid fever. Heliyon. 2021 Oct;7(10):e08147. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08147. PMID: 34746457; PMCID: PMC8551464.
  4. Adi-Dako, O, Kumadoh, D; Nyarko, AK. (2021) A haematotoxicity evaluation of a natural polymer intended to be a nutraceutical and pharmaceutical drug delivery system. Planta Medica 87 15PC9-22021 Georg Thieme Verlag
  5. Fosu-Mensah, B.Y., Ofori, A., Ofosuhene, M., Nyarko, A.K., Appiah-Opong, R. (2021) Bioaccumulation of toxic metals in commercially valuable fish from the western region of Ghana Universal Journal of Public Healtht, 9(5), pp. 296–305
  6. Bekoe, E.O., Schwinger, G., Kitcher, C., Nyarko, A. (2021) The use of Ocimum gratissimum L. In the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments. Journal of Natural Remedies, 21(4), pp. 275–282
  7. Mireku-Gyimah, N.A., Donkor, P.O., Kitcher, C., Boateng, O.K., Nyarko, A.K. (2021) Response to COVID-19 disease in Ghana: A review of the herbs Journal of Natural Remedies 21(4), pp. 283–290
  8. Adukpo, S, Elewosi, D, Asmah, RH, Nyarko, AK, Ekpe, PK, Edoh, DA, Ofori, MF. (2020) Antiplasmodial and Genotoxic Study of Selected Ghanaian Medicinal Plants. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2020 Hindawi
  9. Asiedu-Larbi, J; Adjimani, JP, Okine, LKN, Nyarko, AK; Ocloo, A; (2020) Acute and Chronic Toxicity Studies of The Aqueous Extract of Mist Diodia, its Contributing Plants: Diodia scandens and Aframomum melegueta in Male and Female Sprague-Dawley Rats Journal of Global Biosciences 9(10) 7988-8013
  10. Appiah-Opong, R; Ofori, A; Ofosuhene, M, Ofori-Attah, E, Nunoo, FKE, Tuffour, I, Gordon, C, Arhinful, DK, Nyarko, AK, Fosu-Mensah, BY. (2021) Heavy metals concentration and pollution index (HPI) in drinking water along the southwest coast of Ghana Applied Water Science 11 (3) 10-Jan 2021 Springer International Publishing
  11. Kruzel-Davila, E; Sankofi, BM; Amos-Abanyie, E K; Ghansah, A; Nyarko, A; Agyemang, S; Awandare, GA; Szwarcwort-Cohen, M, Reiner-Benaim, A; Hijazi, B.  (2021) HIV Viremia Is Associated with APOL1 Variants and Reduced JC-Viruria. Frontiers in Medicine 8 2021 Frontiers Media SA
  12. Fosu-Mensah, B.Y., Ofori, A., Ofosuhene, M., Ofori-Attah, E., Nunoo, F.K.E., Tuffour, I., Gordon, C., Arhinful, D., Nyarko, A.K., Appiah-Opong, R. (2021) Bioaccumulation of toxic metals in commercially valuable fish from the western region of Ghana. Universal Journal of Public Health, 9 (5), pp. 296-305.
  13. Akinyemiju, T., Jones, K., Gupta, A.,  et al H3 Africa Kidney Research Network (2021) Association of body composition with odds of breast cancer by molecular subtype: analysis of the Mechanisms for Established and Novel Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in Nigerian Women (MEND) study (2021) BMC Cancer, 21 (1), art. no. 1051, . Cited 2 times.
  14. Appiah-Opong, R.; Agyemang, K.; Dotse, E.; Atchoglo, P.; Owusu, K.B.; Aning, A., Sakyiamah, M.; Adegle, R.; Ayertey, F.; Appiah, A.A.; Nyarko, A.K. (2022) Anti-plasmodial, Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities of Selected Ghanaian Medicinal Plants Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine 27 2515690X211073709 2022 SAGE Publications Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA
  15. Appiah-Opong R, Agyemang K, Dotse E, Atchoglo P, Owusu KBA. (2022)..Anti-plasmodial, Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities of Selected Ghanaian Medicinal PlantsJournal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine 27, 2515690X211073709
  16. Adinortey MB, Ansah C, Asiedu-Larbi J, Kwofie SK, Bockarie SK, (2022) In vivo inhibition of gastric acid secretions and H+/K+-ATPase activity, and enhancement of mucin activity by Dissotis rotundifolia plant extract. Scientific African 17, e01317
  17. Gupta, A., Saraiya, V., Deveaux, A., et al. (2022) Association of lipid profile biomarkers with breast cancer by molecular subtype: analysis of the MEND study Scientific Reports, 12 (1), art. no. 10631
  18. Adjei D-G, G, Mireku-Gyimah, NA, Sarkodie,JA et al (2022) Antidiabetic properties of an Ethanolic leaf extract of Launaea taraxacifolia (Willd.) Amin ex C. Jeffrey (Asteraceae) in SD rats. Clin Phytosci 8, 19 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40816-022-00350-3

Selected Recent Boards and Committees

  • Member, Appointments and Promotions Committee of GAEC, 2009 to date
  • Chairman, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) of GAEC-UG,  2017 to
  • Member, FDA Technical Advisory Committee on Clinical Trial, 2009 to date
  • Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee to Review University of Ghana 4-Year PhD Programme, December 2019 to May 2021
  • Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee to develop templates for r Review University of Ghana 4-Year PhD Programme, 2022

Membership Societies

i.            Member, Ghana Science Association

iii.          Fellow, Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences