Chemistry for Healthier Lives

Chemistry-driven solutions to challenges in human health.

AeternuVita Research Group is an emerging interdisciplinary research initiative bringing together bioinorganic chemistry, chemical biology, and medicinal chemistry to develop and understand metal-based molecular systems for antimicrobial resistance, neglected tropical diseases, cancer, and other unmet health needs.

Discover. Heal. Transform.

A world where no disease is without a cure, and no cure is beyond reach.

Explore Our Research Meet the Group

We use chemistry to understand disease and create new possibilities for human health.

Research Pillars

Three directions, one purpose

Metal-Based Therapeutics

Designing coordination complexes and metallodrugs for infectious diseases, AMR, neglected tropical diseases, and cancer.

Coordination Chemistry

Chemical Biology & Molecular Targets

Understanding interactions between therapeutic molecules and biologically important targets, including nucleic acids.

Mechanism of Action

Adaptive Molecular Systems

Exploring how coordination chemistry can create molecular systems that respond to changing biological environments.

Emerging Programme
About

Who we are

AeternuVita Research Group is an emerging interdisciplinary research initiative founded by Dr. Emmanuel C. Ohaekenyem to pursue chemistry-driven solutions to major challenges in human health. Our work sits at the interface of bioinorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, chemical biology, and drug discovery, with particular interest in metal-based therapeutic systems. We combine molecular design and synthesis with spectroscopy, computational chemistry, and biological evaluation to understand not only whether new compounds work, but how and why they work.

Alongside scientific discovery, AeternuVita is committed to developing young scientists, strengthening research capacity, and creating meaningful collaborations across Africa and internationally.

Vision

To build a globally recognised centre for transformative chemical and biomedical research that advances discoveries from fundamental science toward solutions that improve human health.

Mission

To discover, develop, and understand innovative molecular systems for unmet health challenges while training the next generation of scientists and building research capacity through interdisciplinary and international collaboration.

Our Philosophy

Heal Them All.

We believe that diseases considered difficult, neglected, or insufficiently profitable to address are still worthy of scientific attention. Our research therefore seeks solutions across boundaries — between chemistry and biology, fundamental discovery and application, and scientists across different parts of the world.

Research

Four research programmes

I. Metal-Based Therapeutics

We design and investigate metal-containing molecular systems as potential therapeutic agents. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding how metal identity, coordination environment, ligand architecture, and physicochemical properties influence biological activity.

FOCUS — AMR · NTDs · Antimicrobial agents · Anticancer systems · Metallodrugs

II. Chemical Biology & Nucleic-Acid Targeting

We investigate molecular interactions between coordination complexes and biologically important targets to understand mechanisms of therapeutic action. Particular interests include DNA recognition, non-canonical nucleic-acid structures, and structure–activity relationships.

FOCUS — DNA binding · G-quadruplexes · Molecular recognition · Chemical probes · Mechanism of action

III. Adaptive Coordination Chemistry

We are interested in moving beyond conventional static molecular design toward responsive coordination systems whose chemical states and functions can be influenced by their environment. This emerging programme explores fundamental relationships between coordination-state transformations, environmental stimuli, and molecular function.

FOCUS — Coordination dynamics · Stimuli responsiveness · Speciation · Molecular switching · Adaptive molecular systems

IV. Computational & Mechanistic Chemistry

Experimental chemistry is complemented by computational and mechanistic approaches to understand molecular structure, energetics, interactions, and biological behaviour. These studies are undertaken through interdisciplinary collaboration.

FOCUS — Molecular modelling · DFT · Docking · Molecular dynamics · Structure–activity relationships
People

Founder & Research Group Leader

Dr. Emmanuel C. Ohaekenyem

Dr. Emmanuel C. Ohaekenyem, PhD

Bioinorganic Chemist · Chemical Biologist

Dr. Emmanuel C. Ohaekenyem is a bioinorganic chemist and chemical biologist whose research focuses on metal-based therapeutic systems for major human-health challenges, particularly antimicrobial resistance and neglected tropical diseases. His research integrates coordination-complex synthesis, spectroscopy, biomolecular interactions, computational chemistry, and biological evaluation. He founded AeternuVita to provide a platform for interdisciplinary discovery, scientific collaboration, and the development of emerging researchers.

  • Senior Lecturer — Department of Pure & Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher — University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • AREF Research Development Fellow — University of Reading
  • Queen Elizabeth Scholar — Gender Institute, University of Alberta
Co-PI, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Grant ACS Mentoring Recognition Award, 2023 IUPAC Young Observer, 2023 AGNES Research Mobility Grant, 2024 BioStruct-Africa Training Grant, 2025 AREF Grant Writing Programme, 2025
AeternuVita is a research group led by its founder alongside these academic affiliations — not a separate employing institution. As the group grows, researchers and students actively participating in AeternuVita projects will be listed here with their permission.
Dr. Ohaekenyem at the bench Synthesised coordination compounds
Publications

Selected & recent publications

2024

Synthesis, characterization and antioxidant screening of a 1,10-phenanthroline-based tetraza-macrocyclic ligand and its nickel complex with therapeutic potential and catalytic significance

Emmanuel C. Ohaekenyem, Ikenna Onyido

Pure and Applied Chemistry, 96(12), 1711–1732 · doi.org/10.1515/pac-2024-0212

2024

Activity profiling of natural and synthetic SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors using molecular docking analysis

Emmanuel C. Ohaekenyem, Chukwuebuka T. Onyema, Sunday E. Atawodi

Pure and Applied Chemistry, 96(6), 807–833 · doi.org/10.1515/pac-2024-0012

Selected Publication · 2026

Antibody–drug conjugates for infectious and neglected tropical diseases: chemical design principles, target biology, and translational challenges

Desigan Reddy, Vineet Jeena, Tshephiso R. Papo, Emmanuel C. Ohaekenyem

Frontiers in Chemistry, 2026, 14 · doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2026.1793193

2016

Tetraaza macrocyclic complexes: Synthesis, elucidation, antibacterial and antifungal studies

Emmanuel C. Ohaekenyem, V.I. Onwukeme, F.B. Okoye, J.T. Okonkwo, C.T. Onyema

Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 8(8), 248–254

A fuller, continuously updated publication record is available via:

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AeternuVita Research Brief

Research opportunities shouldn't be difficult to find.

A curated briefing on research discoveries, funding calls, fellowships, conferences, training opportunities, drug development, and global-health research. For researchers — from early career to established scientists. Delivered periodically. No clutter, just opportunities and information worth knowing.

SEPTEMBER 2026 — MAIDEN EDITION

The Next Medicine

Funding · Drug Discovery · Conferences · Fellowships
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NEXT EDITION

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Past issues will appear here

Building over time
Research & Discovery
Drug & Clinical Trial Watch
Funding Opportunities
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Fellowships & Training
Early-Career Opportunities
AeternuVita Updates
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Training & Capacity Building

Developing scientists as well as science

Scientific discovery requires people, opportunity, and supportive research environments. AeternuVita supports the development of emerging scientists through mentoring, research training, scientific communication, collaborative projects, and access to research opportunities.

Specific programmes — a student research programme, structured mentoring, workshops, grant-writing support, and visiting researcher opportunities — will be listed here as they become active.
Join / Collaborate

Let's solve difficult problems together

AeternuVita welcomes meaningful collaborations with researchers and organisations whose expertise complements our research in chemistry, chemical biology, and global health.

Collaborate With Us

For scientists and institutions with complementary expertise.

Join the Group

For students and researchers interested in our scientific areas.

Partner With AeternuVita

For institutions, funders, and organisations.

Interested in working with us? Researchers and students interested in our scientific areas may contact us with a brief description of their research interests.

Heal Them All.

Discovery should reach the diseases and communities that need it most.

Contact

Get in touch

AeternuVita Research Group

Founder & Research Group Leader
Dr. Emmanuel C. Ohaekenyem

founder@aeternuvita.org

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Research activities are currently conducted through the Founder's academic affiliations and collaborating institutions.