Lecturer II, Department of Biochemistry

Dr Callistus I. Iheme


Dr Callistus Izunna Iheme

Lecturer II

B.Tech., M.Sc., PhD
Mobile Number: (+234)7031014133
Email: callistus.iheme@futo.edu.ng

Biography

Dr Callistus Izunna Iheme is an erudite academic, a researcher and a teacher whose research interest cuts across the field of natural sciences; including Biochemistry, Environmental toxicology, Forensic studies, Nanotechnology research and Molecular Biochemistry studies. In 2019, Dr Iheme successfully extracted silver nanoparticles with local plant extracts, forensically profiled the particles and he is currently assessing the clinical potency of the particles in treatment of oxidative stress-induced terminal diseases. He holds a B.Tech. (Hons) degree in Biochemistry, Master’s degree (MSc) in Environmental Biochemistry in the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State and his Doctorate degree (PhD) in Biochemical Toxicology from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State.

As part of his community service, Dr Iheme is a member of several Non-governmental Organizations that provide succours to the poor rural dwellers in Nigeria. For instance, he is currently the chairman of Ekwe Networking Group (ENG), a Non-governmental Organization involved in the promotion of Science education in the rural communities of Imo State.

He has attended and presented scientific papers in many local and international conferences and workshops. He has published over 20 scholarly articles in national and international journals of reputes and has written many book chapters in mainstream University texts on General Biochemical Techniques and Clinical Biochemistry. A researcher and university lecturer with several years of experience. He has successfully supervised many undergraduate and postgraduate theses. He is a family man and a Christian of catholic belief.

Academic Qualification

  • B.Tech. (FUTO)  – 2008
  • MSc. (FUTO)      – 2014
  • PhD (MOUAU)  – 2019

Honours/Awards

Award of Study Fellowship by FUTO, (2013)

Affiliations

  • Member Nigeria Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB)
  • Member Nigeria Society of Experimental Biology (NISEB)
  • Member West African Society of Toxicology (WASOT)
  • Member Society for Forensic and Analytical Scientists Nigeria (SFASN).

HARMATTAN SEMESTER:

  • BCH 201:BIOCHEMISTRY OF CARBOHYDRATES AND LIPIDS
  • BCH 301 (ENZYMOLOGY),
  • BCH 401:  METABOLIC PATHWAY I
  • BCH 403 (ADVANCED ENZYMOLOGY),
  • BCH 409: METABOLIC REGULATION,
  • BCH 501: ADVANCED BIOCHEMICAL METHOD,
  • BCH 503 (PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY).

 

RAIN SEMESTER COURSES

  • BCH 310: CELL AND TISSUE BIOCHEMISTRY
  • BCH 202: BIOCHEMISTRY OF PROTEIN AND NUCLEIC ACIDS
  • BCH 510: BIOFUEL AND BIOGAS TECHNOLOGY
  • BCH 506: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL

PGD COURSES

  • BCH/PD 605 (MEMBRANES, TISSUES AND ORGANS)
  • BCH/PD 607 (CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY AND IMMUNOCHEMISTRY)
  • BCH/PD 609* (GENETIC ENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY)

Experience

  • 2009-2011 Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Ministry of Interior
  • 2011-2014: Graduate Assistance, FUTO
  • 2014-2017: Assistant Lecturer, FUTO
  • 2017-2020: Lecturer II, FUTO

Research Interest

Environmental Toxicology, Pharmacology,  Nanoscience, and Forensic study

Publications

  1. Onuoha, F.N., Ugbaja I. and Iheme, C.I. (2013) “The Effects of Cheese Wood Stem Bark (Alstonia Boonei) on the Mechanical Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene”, International Journal of Engineering and Science, Vol. 2, Issue 3 p. 31 – 33.
  2. Nwaogu, L. A., Igwe, C. U., Ujowundu, C. O., Emejulu, A. A., Iheme, C. I. and Belonwu, D. C. (2014). Biochemical Changes in Tissues of Telfaria occidentalis Leaves Following Subchronic Exposure to Some Heavy Metals. British Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 4(9):1424-1431.
  3. Nwaogu, L. A., Ujowundu, C.O., Iheme, C. I., Ezejiofor, T. N. I. and Belonwu, D. C. (2014). Effect of Sublethal Concentration of Heavy Metal Contamination on Soil Physicochemical Properties, Catalase and Dehydrogenase Activities. International Journal of Biochemistry Research and Review, 4(2):141-149.
  4. E.C. Udenze, A.U.Ezirim, C.P.Ihedimbu and C.I. Iheme (2014). Effect of oral administration of Garcinia kolai seeds on haematological and defence parameters of diabetic rats. American Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 4(4):167-175. DOI:10.3923/ajbmb.2014.167.175.
  5. Iheme, C.I., Nwaoguikpe, R.N., Igwe, C.U., Udenze, C.E., Ezirim, A.U., Ukairo, D.I. and Ihedimbu, P.C. (2015). “Total Colony Counts of Some Microorganisms in Soil Samples Exposed to Electromagnetic Radiations from Mobile Phones”. International Journal of Biochemistry Research and Review, 6(4):140-150.DOI:10.9734/IJcRR/2015/14860.
  6. Iheme, C.I., Nwaoguikpe, R.N., Abanobi, S.E., Igwe, C.U., Udenze, E.C., Ezirim, A.U., Ihedimbu, C.P.and Ukairo, D.I. (2015). Changes in Enzymes Activities of Soil Samples Exposed to Electromagnetic Radiations (EMR) from Mobile Phone.  African Journal of Biochemistry Research, 9(1):1-8. DOI:10.5897/AJBR2014.0808.
  7. Nwaoguikpe R.N., Ujowundu C.O., Emejulu A.A., Iheme C.I., Osam M. and Oguoma O.M.(2015). The Ameliorative Effect of Aqueous Leaves Extracts of Acalypha wikessina on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatoxicity in Wistar Albino Rats. Int.J.Curr.Res.Aca.Rev. 3(9): 176-188. ISSN: 2347-3215.
  8. D. I. Ukairo, H. C. Nzelibe, C. I. Iheme, E. I. Udenze, C. P. Ihedimbu and A. U. Ezirim (2015). Purification and Characterization of Endoglucanase from Sorghum (S.bi-color) and Millet (Pennisetum typhoides and Digitaria exilis) Malts. International Journal of Biochemistry Research and Review, 8(4): 1-11, Article no.IJBcRR.20593.
  9. C I Iheme, R N Nwaoguikpe, C S Alisi, L A Nwaogu, C O Ujowundu, D I Ukairo and C E Orji (2016). Effects of Electromagnetic Radiations (EMR) on Some Soil Physicochemical Parameters, Catalase and Dehydrogenase Activities. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT), 10 (1): 25-34. e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399.
  10.  U. Ezirim Amanda*, C. Udenze Emeka, P. Ihedimbu Chiamaka, I. Ukairo Doris and I. Iheme Callistus (2016). Chelation Potential of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Phyllanthus amarus on Kidney Functions in Lead-intoxicated Albino Wistar Rats. International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review, 12(2): 1-10, 2016, Article no.IJBCRR.25356.
  11. D. I. Ukairo, H. C. Nzelibe, C. I. Iheme, C. P. Ihedimbu, A. U. Ezirim, and S. Drisu (2016).  Raw grain characteristics and endoglucanase activity of sorghum (S. bicolour) and millet (Pennisetum typhoides and Digitaria exilis) malts. IOSR Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry (IOSR-JBB, 2(6): 14-19.
  12. Chidi Uzoma Igwe, Callistus Izunna Iheme, Chinwe Slyvanus Alisi, Linus Ahuwaraeze Nwaogu, Chiedozie Onyejiaka Ibegbulem, Aloysius Chinedu Ene (2016). Lipid profile and atherogenic predictor indices of albino rabbits administered coconut water as an antidote to paracetamol overdose. Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 2016; 4(12): 974-979.
  13. Igwe CU, Nwaogu L, Ezeokeke E, Iheme C, Alison LN (2017) Effect of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Moringa oleifera on Oxidative Stress and Atherogenic Indices of Otapiapia-Exposed Albino Rats. J Clin Toxicol 7: 350.
  14. C. O. Ujowundu, G. N. Okwu, J. J. Achilike, L. A. Nwaogu1, A. C. Ene and C. I. Iheme (2017). Lead-induced Oxidative Stress and Chemoprotective Role of Dietary Supplements on Wistar Albino Rats. Annual Research & Review in Biology,13(6):1-14
  15. I Iheme C, Ukairo DI, Ibegbulem CO, Okorom OO, Chibundu K (2017). Analysis of Enzymes Activities on Domestic Waste Dump Sites. J Bioremediat Biodegrad 8: 400. DOI: 10.4172/2155-6199.1000400.
  16.  Iheme CI, Omeh YN  and Nwuke CP (2018). Variation effects of mobile phone frequencies and exposure durations on selected oxidative stress biomarkers of male Wistar albino rats. Biochemistry &Analytical Biochemistry, 7(3):1-6 DOI: 10.4172/2161-1009.1000360.          

CHAPTERS IN BOOKS

  1. Iheme, C. I. (2014). Determination and analyses of antinutrients in plant materials. In: Introductory Experiments in Biochemistry, Ojiako, A.O. (edn), FUTO press LTD, Owerri, Pp.377-391.Iheme, C. I. (2013). Enzyme isolation, purification and characterization. In: Laboratory Experiments in Biochemistry (A Students’ Manual), Ojiako, A.O. (edn.), FUTO press LTD, Owerri, pp. 300-333.
  2. Ujowundu, C.O., Iheme, C.I. and Ujowundu, F.N. (2014). Determination of minerals in biological samples. In: Introductory Experiments in Biochemistry, Ojiako, A.O. (edn), FUTO press LTD, Owerri, Pp. 128-146.