Personal information

Cancer biology, Molecular biology, pancreatic cancer, gallbladder cancer, molecular pathways, Cancer precision medicine, Hepatopancreatobiliary diseases
South Africa

Biography

Dr Nweke obtained an MSc (cum laude in Molecular and Cell Biology) and PhD (University of Witwatersrand). He also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (with distinction). His research interests are in biomarker discovery and the elucidation of molecular mechanisms in the development and progression of hepatopancreatobiliary cancers amongst patients of African ancestry by utilizing a multi-omics approach. He is also interested in using precision medicine to improve diagnosis and therapy for cancer patients. Dr Nweke is the recipient of several awards including the 2023 NRF Research Excellence Award for emerging/early career researchers, AREF/MRC Fellowship 2024/2025 and the Friedel Sellschop Award (2025-2027). He has published in several international peer-reviewed Journals and has supervised several post-graduate students. He is currently an executive member of the Surgical Research Society of Southern Africa, an appointed member of the membership and development committee of the European-African Hepatopancreatobiliary Association, and a steering committee member of the National Cancer Institute Community of Practice for early-career cancer researchers in LMICs

Activities

Employment (9)

University of the Witwatersrand: Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA

2024-10-01 to present | Associate Professor (Surgery)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg: Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA

2023-10-01 to 2024-09-30 | Senior Lecturer (Surgery )
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

University of Witwatersrand: Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA

2020-11-01 to 2023-09-30 | Research scientist and Research Coordinator (Surgery)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research: Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA

2018-01-01 to 2023-03-31 | Visiting researcher (Biosciences )
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

University of the Witwatersrand: Johannesburg-Braamfontein, Gauteng, ZA

2018-01-01 to 2020-10-31 | Post-doctoral researcher (Surgery)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Wits Health Consortium Pty Ltd: Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA

2017-07-01 to 2017-12-31 | Post-doctoral fellow (Surgery)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

University of Southampton: Southampton, Hampshire, GB

2017-11-16 to 2017-12-16 | Visiting researcher (Surgery)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Science: Johannesburg, ZA

2014-01-04 to 2015-05-31 | Teaching assistant (Molecular and cell biology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Havanna specialist hospital: Lagos, NG

2007-08-01 to 2008-01-31 | Intern (Medical laboratory)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Education and qualifications (4)

University of Witwatersrand: Johannesburg, South Africa, ZA

2022-02 to 2023-12-31 | Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

University of the Witwatersrand: Johannesburg-Braamfontein, Gauteng, ZA

2015-06-08 to 2017-06-20 | Doctor of Philosophy (Surgery)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

University of Witwatersrand: Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA

2014-01-04 to 2015-06-01 | Masters of Science (with Distinction) (Molecular and cell biology)
Qualification
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Madonna University College of Medicine: Elele, Rivers State, NG

2005-09-01 to 2009-06-01 | Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Biochemistry)
Qualification
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Professional activities (10)

Royal Society of South Africa: Cape Town, ZA

Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

American Association For Cancer Research: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

2022-07-08 to present | Active
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

International Hepatopancreatobiliary Association: Rochester, US

2021 to present | Member
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

European-African Hepatopancreatobiliary Association: Glasgow, GB

2021 to present | Member
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

South African Society for Human Genetics: Johannesburg, ZA

2018-09-03 to present | Member
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

South African Council for Natural Scientific Professionals: Johannesburg, ZA

2018-08-16 to present | Professional Natural Scientist (Biological Science)
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Surgical Research Society of Southern Africa: Johannesburg, ZA

2018-07-05 to present | Executive committee member (Communications officer)
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Hepatopancreatobiliary association of South Africa: Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA

2018-01-01 to present
Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

National Research Foundation: Pretoria, ZA

2023-01-01 | Y-rating
Distinction
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

University of Southampton: Southampton, Hampshire, GB

2017-11-01 to 2017-11-30 | Visiting researcher (Surgery)
Invited position
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Funding (4)

Functional Verification of Novel Gene Targets of Pancreatic Cancer for Future Potential Utility

2022-01 to 2024-12 | Grant
National Research Foundation (Johannesburg , ZA)
GRANT_NUMBER:

138367

Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Proteomics of pancreatic cancer

2018-01 to 2020-12 | Salary award
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa (Pretoria, ZA)
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Proteomics of pancreatic cancer

2018-01 to 2020-12 | Salary award
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA)
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Discovery of potential biomarkers for pancreatic cancer using pathway-based analysis

2015-07 to 2017-07 | Salary award
South African Medical Research Council (Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA)
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Works (37)

Clinicopathological presentation of liver abscesses and hydatid liver disease from two South African tertiary hospitals

World Journal of Hepatology
2024-12-27 | Journal article
Contributors: Krevosha Pillay; Zafar Khan; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Jones Omoshoro-Jones
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Comparative immune profiling of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression among South African patients

BMC Cancer
2024-07-07 | Journal article
Contributors: Nnenna Elebo; Ebtesam Abdel-Shafy; Jones Omoshoro-Jones; Zanele Nsingwane; Ahmed Hussein; Martin Smith; Geoffrey Candy; Stefano Cacciatore; Pascaline Fru; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

The need for research targeting the link between occupational carcinogens and hepatopancreatobiliary cancers in Africa: A systematic review

Transaltional Oncology
2024-06-14 | Journal article
Contributors: Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Nnenna Elebo; Mafuno Mpinganjira; Pavan Baichan; John Devar; Jones Omoshoro-Jones; Joel Francis; Martin Smith
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Inhibition of the Complement Pathway Induces Cellular Proliferation and Migration in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents
2024-02-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Zanele Nsingwane; Previn Naicker; Jones Omoshoro-Jones; John Devar; Martin Smith; Geoffrey Candy; Tanya Augustine; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

A Look at Emerging Therapeutic Targets for Gallbladder Cancer: A Multi-Omics Approach

Gallbladder Cancer
2023 | Book chapter
Part of ISBN: 9789811964411
Part of ISBN: 9789811964428
Contributors: Pavan Baichan; Previn Naicker; John Devar; Martin Smith; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Treatment Strategies for Multiple Myeloma Treatment and the Role of High-Throughput Screening for Precision Cancer Therapy

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
2023 | Book chapter
Part of ISSN: 0065-2598
Part of ISSN: 2214-8019
Contributors: Thudzelani Takalani Austin Malise; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Mutsa M. Takundwa; Pascaline Fonteh Fru; Deepak B. Thimiri Govinda Raj
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Exploiting the molecular subtypes and genetic landscape in pancreatic cancer: the quest to find effective drugs

Frontiers in Genetics
2023-09-18 | Journal article
Contributors: Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Nnenna Elebo; Ebtesam A Abdel-Shafy; Stefano Cacciatore
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Delineating intra-tumoral heterogeneity and tumor evolution in breast cancer using precision-based approaches

Frontiers in Genetics
2023-08-17 | Journal article
Contributors: Kutlwano Xulu; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Tanya Augustine
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Metataxonomic Analysis Demonstrates a Shift in Duodenal Microbiota in Patients with Obstructive Jaundice

Microorganisms
2023-06 | Journal article | Author
Contributors: Benjamin Hart; Jasmin Patel; Pieter De Maayer; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Damon Bizos
Source: check_circle
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute

Proteomic analysis identifies dysregulated proteins and associated molecular pathways in a cohort of gallbladder cancer patients of African ancestry

Clinical Proteomics
2023-03-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Pavan Baichan; Previn Naicker; Tanya Augustine; Martin Smith; Geoffrey Candy; John Devar
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Polyethyleneglycol-Betulinic Acid (PEG-BA) Polymer-Drug Conjugate Induces Apoptosis and Antioxidation in a Biological Model of Pancreatic Cancer

Polymers
2023-01 | Journal article | Author
Contributors: Karabo Sekopi Mosiane; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Mohammed; Pascaline (Fonteh) Fru
Source: check_circle
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute

Harnessing the Tumor Microenvironment for Cancer Immunotherapy

Handbook of Cancer and Immunology
2022 | Book chapter
Part of ISBN: 9783030809621
Part of ISBN: 9783030809621
Contributors: Pascaline N. Fru; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Tanya N. Augustine
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Macrophage Polarization in the Tumor Microenvironment: Modulation and Mimicry

Handbook of Cancer and Immunology
2022 | Book chapter
Part of ISBN: 9783030809621
Part of ISBN: 9783030809621
Contributors: Tanya N. Augustine; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Pascaline N. Fru
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Application of Drug Repurposing-Based Precision Medicine Platform for Leukaemia Patient Treatment

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
2022-10-28 | Book chapter
Part of ISSN: 0065-2598
Part of ISSN: 2214-8019
Contributors: Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Vanelle Larissa Kenmogne; Ekene Emmanuel Nweke; Mutsa M. Takundwa; Pascaline N. Fru; Deepak B. Thimiri Govinda Raj
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Chemokine receptor 8 expression may be linked to disease severity and elevated interleukin 6 secretion in acute pancreatitis

World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology
2021-11-22 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Serum Metabolomic and Lipoprotein Profiling of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients of African Ancestry

Metabolites
2021-09-28 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Bioinformatics Tools for Gene and Genome Annotation Analysis of Microbes for Synthetic Biology and Cancer Biology Applications

Advances in Bioinformatics
2021-08-01 | Book chapter
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Targeting Growth Factor Signaling Pathways in Pancreatic Cancer: Towards Inhibiting Chemoresistance

Frontiers in Oncology
2021-06-14 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Anti-Cancer and Immunomodulatory Activity of a Polyethylene Glycol-Betulinic Acid Conjugate on Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Life
2021-05-21 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Prospects of Delivering Natural Compounds by Polymer-Drug Conjugates in Cancer Therapeutics

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
2021-04 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Development of insect cell line using CRISPR technology

Reprogramming of the Genome: Applications of CRISPR-Cas in non-mammalian systems
2021-02-25 | Book chapter
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Drug Sensitivity and Drug Repurposing Platform for Cancer Precision Medicine

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
2021-02-25 | Book chapter
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Role of different immune cells and metabolic pathways in modulating the immune response in pancreatic cancer

Molecular medicine reports
2020-10-21 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

SWATH-MS based proteomic profiling of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumours reveals the interplay between the extracellular matrix and related intracellular pathways

PLOS ONE
2020-10-13 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 1932-6203
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Immunotherapeutic strategies in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC): current perspectives and future prospects

Molecular Biology Reports
2020-07-13 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0301-4851
Part of ISSN: 1573-4978
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Downregulation of the let‑7 family of microRNAs may promote insulin receptor/insulin‑like growth factor signalling pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Oncology Letters
2020-07-10 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 1792-1074
Part of ISSN: 1792-1082
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Increased expression of plakoglobin is associated with upregulated MAPK and PI3K/AKT signalling pathways in early resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Oncology Letters
2020-03-23 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 1792-1074
Part of ISSN: 1792-1082
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Targeting gallbladder cancer: a pathway based perspective

Molecular Biology Reports
2020-02-04 | Journal article
Part of ISSN: 0301-4851
Part of ISSN: 1573-4978
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Immune response is inhibited in early pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by several mechanisms in a cohort of African patients

2020-01-01 | Conference paper
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

Transient Expression of Interleukin-21 in the Second Hit of Acute Pancreatitis May Potentiate Immune Paresis in Severe Acute Pancreatitis.

Pancreas
2019-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Thomson JE; Nweke EE; Brand M; Nel M; Candy GP; Fonteh PN
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke via Europe PubMed Central

Quantitative proteonomics confirms microRNA targets in pancreas cancer to explain why cetuximab has limited efficacy in prolonging patient survival.

Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

The Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 Family is Essential for Embryonic Development and Carcinogenesis

Journal of Cancer Research Forecast
2018-01-26 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke

DIFFERENCES IN MICROBIOME IN RAT MODELS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.

South African journal of surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir chirurgie
2017-06 | Conference abstract
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

GENE AND PROTEIN EXPRESSION PROFILING OF PANCREATIC TUMOURS REVEAL DYSREGULATED PATHWAYS AND NOVEL POTENTIAL BIOMARKER.

South African journal of surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir chirurgie
2017-06 | Conference abstract
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

GENE AND PROTEIN EXPRESSION PROFILING OF PDAC TUMOURS OBTAINED FROM BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN PATIENTS REVEAL NOVEL POTENTIAL BIOMARKERS.

South African journal of surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir chirurgie
2017-06 | Conference abstract
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

The Drosophila retinoblastoma binding protein 6 family member has two isoforms and is potentially involved in embryonic patterning.

International journal of molecular sciences
2015 | Journal article
Contributors: Hull R; Oosthuysen B; Cajee UF; Mokgohloa L; Nweke E; Antunes RJ; Coetzer TH; Ntwasa M
Source: Self-asserted source
Ekene Emmanuel Nweke via Europe PubMed Central

Metabolic and Lipoprotein Profiling of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients of African Ancestry

Source: check_circle
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute

Peer review (38 reviews for 24 publications/grants)

Review activity for Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry. (1)
Review activity for BMC cancer (2)
Review activity for Cellular oncology. (1)
Review activity for Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. (1)
Review activity for Discover Oncology. (3)
Review activity for European journal of medical research. (1)
Review activity for Expert review of molecular diagnostics (1)
Review activity for Frontiers in genetics. (1)
Review activity for Frontiers in immunology. (1)
Review activity for Frontiers in medicine. (1)
Review activity for Frontiers in oncology. (2)
Review activity for International journal of molecular sciences. (1)
Review activity for Journal of Biological Regulators & Homeostatic Agents. (1)
Review activity for Journal of cell communication and signaling. (1)
Review activity for Journal of gastrointestinal oncology. (1)
Review activity for Journal of surgical research (3)
Review activity for Lipids in health and disease (1)
Review activity for Molecular cancer (1)
Review activity for Nature communications (1)
Review activity for Pancreatology. (2)
Review activity for PeerJ. (1)
Review activity for Scientific reports. (8)
Review activity for Therapeutic advances in medical oncology. (1)
Review activity for World journal of surgical oncology (1)