Kenneth Ihenetu, Ph.D., FIBMS (London), CC (NRCC)

Assistant Professor of Clinical Laboratory Science

Office:	CS 130G
Phone:	(361) 825-2359
Fax:	(361) 825-3719
E-Mail:	kenneth.ihenetu@tamucc.edu

Education and Training

PhD, University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, 2003 [Major – Pharmacology] (Mentors: Professor Mike Parsons, Dr Cliff Whelan, Dr Areles Molleman)
M.Sc, University of East London, United Kingdom, 1994 [Major – Pharmacology]
Post Grad Dip., University of East London, United Kingdom, 1992 [Major – Pharmacology]
HND, Ahmadu Bello University Nigeria, 1985 [Major – Medical Laboratory Sciences]

I am trained as a PhD Pharmacologist, Toxicologist and Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Manager with several years of experience in Laboratory Medicine, Biomedical Research and problem-solving. A National Registry (NRCC) certified Clinical Chemist and an excellent team player with wide experience in cross-functional teams in the United States, United Kingdom and Africa.

Research Interests

My interest is on the identification of anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory treatments, agents modulating immune cell function and characterization of this modulation, novel biomarkers for cancer and inflammation.

Current research is focused on understanding how digoxin and digoxin-like immuno-reactive factor (DLIF), an endogenous mammalian cardenolide exerts beneficial effects in cancer patients. My group also has an interest in mechanisms leading to methotrexate resistance as an anti-cancer agent. We are currently developing a predictive model as a biomarker for patients likely to benefit from methotrexate treatment or their analogues.

Awards

First prize Postdoctoral Scientific Poster Competition IMD3 (Institute of molecular diversity and drug design) symposium (2006)
AACC Student Travel Award (2006)
IMD³ Student’s travel Award (2005)
STAR Fellowship Award on Health Disparity Research (2006)
ICRS Outstanding Poster Award (2002)
Young Investigator Award, British Pharmacological Society (2001)

Patent

1 Filed Patent. US. Patent and Trademark Office Serial No. 60/799,199

Media Appearances

Guest speaker: BBC Focus On Africa Program “Reversing Africa’s Brain drain” broadcast on Monday, 20 March 2006, 10:00 GMT
Guest speaker: BBC Focus On Africa Program “Is the International Criminal Court (ICC) right to demand the LRA leader stands trial? Or should Uganda be able to offer an amnesty if it wants arrest ” broadcast on Thursday, 18 May 2006, 10:00 GMT

Selected Publications

Ihenetu K, Molleman, A, Parsons ME, Whelan CJ (2003) Pharmacological characterization of cannabinoid receptors inhibiting interleukin 2 release from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Eur.J. of Pharmacol. 464: 207 –215
Ihenetu K, Molleman, A, Parsons ME, Whelan CJ (2003) Inhibition of interleukin 8 expression in human colon epithelial cell line HT29 by cannabinoids. Eur.J. of Pharmacol. 458 : 207 – 215
Ihenetu K, Molleman A, Parsons ME, Whelan CJ (2002). Modulation of interleukin 2 (IL-2) release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by cannabinoids. Proc. International Cannabinoid research Society
Bashir I, Ihenetu K U, Miller J J, Hardeep S., Lippmann S (2006). What is the Psychiatristnto do with a positive pregnancy tests in post menopausal women? Psychosomatics. 47: 449 – 450.
Bashir I, Ihenetu K U, Miller J J, Min-Hye G, Lippmann S (2006). Positive Pregnancy Tests & Menopause. The Kentucky Psychiatrist. 17: 6 – 7.
Ihenetu K, Levinson S.S, Huang A, Miller J.J.(2006) HIV Lipodystrophy Syndrome: Case Report and Review. J. Clin. Lig. Assay. 29: 32 – 36.
Ihenetu K, Qazzaz H, Crespo F, Fernandez-Botran R, Valdes, Jr. R. Digoxin and ouabain selectively induce apoptosis in human lymphoblastic cancer cells: Implications for therapeutic targets. Clin. Chem.. (Submitted for publication).
Ihenetu K (2003). Characterization of cannabinoid receptors in immune cells and cell lines. (PhD Thesis, University of Hertfordshire, UK).
Ihenetu K (1994). Synergism between 5-HT and other platelet agonists. (MSc Thesis, University of East London, Romford Rd, London E1 4LZ).

Abstracts and Conference Proceedings

Ihenetu, K, Abudu N., Miller, J., Elin, R.J. (2005). Free light chain assay shows greater clinical sensitivity than electrophoresis for detecting plasma cell dyscrasias. Clin. Chem. 51: A98 – A99.
Ihenetu, K., Abudu, N., Elin, R.J., Elin, R.J. (2005). The quality performance of free light chain (k/l ) ratio in detecting plasma cell dyscrasias. J. Clin. Lig. Assay. 27: 287.
Ihenetu K, Bashir I, Singh H, Kannan M, Vaish SK, Lippmann S, Miller JJ (2005). Evaluation of positive pregnancy tests on peri-menopausal women in the emergency setting: Two cases. J. Clin. Lig. Assay. 27: 287.
Ihenetu K, Salmon DM, Molleman, A, Parsons ME, Whelan CJ (2002). Cannabinoids decrease intracellular Ca2+ and inhibit ligand-induced rises in [Ca2+]i in an epithelial cell line (HT29) (Seminar delivered to the British Pharmacological Soc. , April 2002).
JJ Miller and Ihenetu K (2005). Positive Pregnancy Tests in Non-Pregnant Women. (Seminar
presented at the Kentucky Society for Clinical Laboratory Science March 23, 2005)
Ihenetu K, Qazzaz H, Crespo F, Fernandez-Botran R, Valdes, Jr. R.(2006) Digitalis and ouabain compounds as novel therapies for malignant lymphoblastic disease. Clin. Chem. 52: A169.).
Ihenetu K, Levinson S.S, Huang A, Miller J.J. HIV Lipodystrophy Syndrome: A Case Report? CLAS meeting, 2006. (Accepted for publicationin J. Clin. Lig. Assay).

Ihenetu K, Qazzaz H, Crespo F, Fernandez-Botran R, Valdes, R., Jr. Induction Of Apoptosis By Non-Toxic Concentration Of Cardiac Glycosides. CLAS meeting 2006. (Accepted for publication in the J. Clin. Lig. Assay).
Ihenetu K, Qazzaz H, Crespo F, Fernandez-Botran R, Valdes, R., Jr. Induction Of Apoptosis By Non-Toxic Concentration Of Cardiac Glycosides. (Abstract presented to the Institute of Molecular Diversity and Drug Design Fall Festival (IMD3) Louisville (2005).
Ihenetu K. Laboratory diagnosis of alcohol poisoning. (Oral Brown Bag presentation session at the annual AACC convention, Chicago, 2006).
Ihenetu K, Molleman, A, Parsons ME, Whelan CJ (2001). Modulation of IL-8 release in human colon epithelial cell line (HT-29). Br. J. Pharmacol. 134: P164.
Ihenetu K, Salmon DM, Molleman, A, Parsons ME, Whelan CJ (2002). Cannabinoids decrease intracellular Ca2+ and inhibit ligand-induced rises in [Ca2+]i in an epithelial cell line (HT29). Br. J. Pharmacol. 136: P14.
Andersson H, Summers AE, Ihenetu K, Whelan CJ (2002) Induction of apoptosis in the epithelial HT29 by nicotine and tobacco smoke condensate. Br. J. Pharmacol. 136: P39.
Ihenetu, K., A. Molleman, C.J. Whelan, M. Parsons (2003). Inhibition of interleukin-8 release in human colonic epithelial cell line HT-29 by cannabinoids. Canadian consortium for investigation of cannabinoids in human therapeutics (CCIC) Research abstracts. P3. http://www.ccicht.ca/February2003.pdf
Qazzaz H, Ihenetu K, , Crespo F, Fernandez-Botran R, Valdes, R., Jr. DLIF (Digoxin-like Immunoreactive Factor) selectively induces apoptosis in malignant lymphoblastic cells.(Submitted abstract- Research Louisville, 2006)

Page last modified on December, 2006

	Dr. Kenneth Ihenetu