Dr Emmanuel Mintah Bonku | Sustainable Drug Development | Sustainable Practices Award

Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS

Professional Profiles:

👨‍🎓 Bio Summary:

Dr. Emmanuel Mintah Bonku is a passionate and innovative scientist specializing in sustainable medicinal chemistry. Currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, he has made significant strides in the green synthesis of antiviral drugs, particularly tecovirimat for monkeypox. His expertise spans drug development, process optimization, and sustainable practices in pharmaceutical chemistry. Dr. Bonku’s commitment to environmental stewardship and impactful research has earned him notable recognition, including the prestigious Excellent International Graduate Award in 2024.

🎓 Educational Background:

Dr. Bonku holds a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry (2024) from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, with a focus on green and sustainable drug development. He also earned a Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering and Technology (2021) from Wuhan University of Science and Technology, where he explored biotransformation and sustainable chemistry of natural products. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (2017) from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, where he developed a strong foundation in ethnobotany.

🔍 Research Focus:

Dr. Bonku’s research centers on developing environmentally friendly synthetic methodologies for critical drugs targeting emerging infectious diseases. He has pioneered innovative processes for synthesizing tecovirimat, achieving a scalable output of 180 kg for monkeypox treatment. His work also includes the development of sustainable synthetic methods for antipsychotic and antihypertensive drugs, such as cariprazine and benzimidazole compounds. His focus on green chemistry ensures reduced waste, energy efficiency, and a lower environmental footprint.

🏆Honors & Awards :

Excellent International Graduate Award, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2024)

Acknowledged for contributions to drug synthesis, with his work featured on the cover of Organic Process Research & Development (2023).

💼 Professional Experience:

As a postdoctoral researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Dr. Bonku plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable drug development. He is also an active reviewer for scientific journals like Journal of Green Synthesis and Catalysis and Journal of Food Science, contributing to the peer-review process and maintaining high standards in research.

📚 Top Noted Publications :

Extraction of Essential Oil from Citrus reticulata Blanco Peel and Its Antibacterial Activity Against Cutibacterium acnes (Formerly Propionibacterium acnes)

Authors: H.S. Hou, E.M. Bonku, R. Zhai, R. Zeng, Y.L. Hou, Z.H. Yang, C. Quan

Index: Heliyon, Volume 5 (12)

Citations: 90

Year: 2019

An Alkali-Tolerant Carbonyl Reductase from Bacillus subtilis by Gene Mining: Identification and Application

Authors: W. Luo, H.J. Du, E.M. Bonku, Y.L. Hou, L.L. Li, X.Q. Wang, Z.H. Yang

Index: Catalysis Letters, Volume 149, Pages 2973–2983

Citations: 8

Year: 2019

Facile Synthesis of Benzimidazoles via N-Arylamidoxime Cyclization

Authors: H. Qin, A. Odilov, E.M. Bonku, F. Zhu, T. Hu, H. Liu, H.A. Aisa, J. Shen

Index: ACS Omega, Volume 7 (49), Pages 45678–45687

Citations: 6

Year: 2022

Efficient Large-Scale Process for Tecovirimat via Reactive Distillation for the Preparation of Cycloheptatriene

Authors: E.M. Bonku, H. Qin, A. Odilov, F. Yang, X. Xing, X. Wang, S.D. Guma, J. Shen

Index: Organic Process Research & Development, Volume 27 (11), Pages 1984–1991

Citations: 5

Year: 2023

Conclusion:

Dr. Emmanuel Mintah Bonku’s contributions to sustainable drug development position him as a strong candidate for the Research for Sustainable Practices Award. His innovative work in green synthetic methodologies and impactful drug production demonstrates a clear alignment with the award’s objectives. Addressing areas like broader environmental assessments and policy engagement would further enhance his candidacy and the long-term impact of his research..