Medicinal chemistry · Peptide science · Anti-infectives
From molecule to medicine.
I combine AI and machine learning, computational molecular design, peptide synthesis, and experimental evaluation to create new therapeutic candidates against infectious diseases and drug-resistant pathogens.
Research philosophy
Computation proposes. Chemistry makes. Experiments decide. Discovery happens where all three meet.
Research program
Three routes toward better anti-infectives
My work connects molecular modeling with chemical synthesis and biological testing, turning computational hypotheses into testable therapeutic candidates.
Orbitide antimalarials
Investigating cyclic-peptide frameworks for antimalarial drug discovery.
02 · InfluenzaViral assembly inhibitors
Exploring AI and machine learning approaches to peptide design around influenza A M1 assembly.
03 · PlatformComputational peptide design
Integrating AI, machine learning, structure prediction, docking, conformational sampling, and molecular dynamics.
At a glance
A research path across three continents
Pharmacy established the biological question. Medicinal chemistry supplied the molecular tools. Peptide science now connects design with experiment.
Scientific journey
Built through movement, mentorship, and method
University of Nigeria
Pharmacy training and an early focus on computational drug discovery, including HIV-1 protease inhibitor repurposing.
Taipei Medical University
Medicinal chemistry, organic synthesis, HDAC inhibitors, and molecular simulation as a Taiwan Government Scholar.
University of Michigan
Doctoral research integrating peptide synthesis, computational design, and anti-infective discovery.
Selected scholarship
Recent publications
Work spanning medicinal chemistry, cancer biology, infectious diseases, natural products, and computational discovery.
Contribution of prostaglandin E2-induced neuronal excitation to drug resistance in glioblastoma countered by a novel blood-brain barrier crossing celecoxib derivative
Advanced Science
Scaffold hopping approaches for dual-target antitumor drug discovery
Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery
New sulphonamide-peptide hybrid molecules as potential PBP2a ligands and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus actives
Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics
Science can change lives. Access to opportunity can change who gets to do science.
As Founder and Executive Director of the Raphael Onuku Foundation, I support students and early-career scholars pursuing research training, graduate education, and international scholarships.