Emmanuel Ikpefan

Dedicated and accomplished Pharmacognocist and Natural Products Research Scientist with over 12 years of academic, research, and laboratory quality assurance (QA) experience. Specialized in natural products chemistry, anticancer drug discovery, GMP/GLP/GCP-compliant laboratory operations, and curriculum development. Proven expertise in leading QA initiatives for herbal drug research, managing laboratory audits, developing SOPs, mentoring graduate researchers, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

A seasoned educator and laboratory QA coordinator, bridging Nigerian and Canadian academic and regulatory environments.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Science Classroom Assistant Teacher

St. Patrick High School – Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, Canada Oct 2024 – Present

• Assisted science teachers in lab setups and safety protocols.
• Supported students academically in class and during lab experiments.
• Monitored compliance with classroom hygiene and WHMIS protocols.

Professor / QA Coordinator / Research Supervisor

Department of Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine, Delta State University Aug 2012 – Present

• Taught and coordinated undergraduate/postgraduate courses in Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Herbal Toxicology, and Drug Discovery.
• Supervised M.Sc. and Ph.D. thesis research, emphasizing anticancer screening, phytochemical isolation, bioassays, and publication writing.
• Led QA initiatives as Laboratory QA Coordinator, ensuring adherence to GMP, GLP, and GCP standards in laboratory and field research projects.
• Developed and enforced SOPs for sample collection, plant authentication, extraction processes, chromatographic analyses, and toxicity studies.
• Conducted internal QA audits and risk assessments to evaluate lab compliance, safety protocols, and documentation standards.
• Oversaw CAPA implementation and documentation for deviations in research or student projects.
• Initiated training sessions on lab safety, instrument calibration, data integrity, and regulatory compliance for faculty and graduate students.
• Managed herbal garden maintenance, field trips, sample logistics, and ensured botanical sample traceability.
• Collaborated in inter-departmental research and served as external examiner and peer reviewer for several universities, national and international journals.

Visiting Pre-Doctoral Research Scientist

Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, ICCBS – University of Karachi, Pakistan June 2014 – Dec 2015

• Researched bioactivity-guided isolation of phytochemicals from Euphorbia gramine, targeting breast and lung cancer models.
• Conducted spectroscopic and chromatographic profiling (HPLC, GC-MS, NMR) and cytotoxicity assays (SRB).
• Worked within ISO 17025-compliant laboratories, practicing method validation and data quality assurance protocols.

 

Quality Assurance and Quality Control Research Scientist

JEMY Bio-Analytical Research Laboratories (Contract Part-time) Aug 2012 - Jul 2019 

• Operated analytical instruments such as HPLC, GC-MS, FTIR, spectrophotometers.
• Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for testing and quality assurance processes.
• Maintained accurate batch record, cleaning logs and deviation reports
• Ensured compliance of all operations with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) for quality control.
• Trained and supervised staff to ensure conformity on Quality Assurance protocols and conducted internal audits to verify compliance.
• Inspected and conducted botanical authentication and standardization of raw materials for defects or deviations.
• Conducted risk assessments and managed Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).
• Performed batch record and test review to verify conformity before release.
• Perform and coordinate laboratory tests for phytochemicals, moisture, residual solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contaminants on herbal extracts and formulations to assess purity and potency

Graduate Research Assistant

College of Pharmacy, Igbinedion University Oct 2010 – Mar 2012

• Delivered practical lab training and supported undergraduate research projects.
• Aided in proposal writing, literature review, method development, and data analysis for herbal medicine research.

Master of Cannabis, Cannabis Training University, USA

Ph.D. Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry University of Benin, Nigeria

Dissertation: “Anticancer Evaluations of Some Nigerian Plants and Characterization of Their Active Constituents”

Pre-Doctoral Research Program ICCBS – University of Karachi, Pakistan

M.Sc. Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry University of Benin, Nigeria

B.Sc. Plant Biology and Biotechnology University of Benin, Nigeria