TAMIU Professor Addo-Mensah Awarded Welch Foundation $150,000 Grant
The prestigious Welch Foundation Research has awarded a grant totaling $180,000 over a three-year period to Dr. Alfred K. Addo-Mensah, associate professor of chemistry, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) College of Arts and Sciences, department of Biology and Chemistry.
The funding will enable Dr. Addo-Mensah to hire both graduate and undergraduate students as well as purchase lab supplies and equipment to synthesize multivalent receptors and other analogs that have application in drug discovery. This project will incorporate the direct mentoring of both graduate and undergraduate students and help guide them to future careers in science and technology.
During his time at TAMIU, Addo-Mensah has advanced his research agenda by working with faculty colleagues on campus and abroad. While research is one of his top priorities, he also actively pursues pedagogical methods such as Peer-Led Mentoring in both the introductory chemistry class for non-science majors and the general chemistry class.
Originally from Ghana, Addo-Mensah came to TAMIU in the fall of 2009. He earned his Ph.D. in bioorganic chemistry from Florida Atlantic University.
His additional research includes:
The synthesis, characterization and binding studies of carbohydrate receptors with applications in targeted drug delivery, cancer imaging and diagnostics.
The antimicrobial activity of herbal extracts from Tropical Medicinal Plants in collaboration with Dr. Genevieve Adukpo from University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Identification, Evolution, Characterization, and Medicinal Evaluation of Naphthoquinones in the Plant Family Boraginaceae- Collaboration with Dr. James Chen and Dr. Ruby Ynalvez.
Trace metal analysis of various environmental matrices with research collaborators Dr. Tom Vaughan, Dr. Brittan Wilson and Dr. Mónica Mendez.
For additional information, contact Anne Frey, TAMIU associate director of grant development, at 326.3024, afrey@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 326B.
University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.
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