Professor at University of Douala, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, BP 24157 Douala, Cameroon.
Prof. Dr. Jean Duplex Wansi is a renowned Cameroonian chemist specializing in natural products chemistry. He currently serves as Full Professor at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon, where he has been a faculty member since 2000. His career has been marked by a deep commitment to the exploration and development of bioactive compounds from African flora, with notable contributions to anti-infective, anticancer, and antimalarial drug discovery. Over the years, Prof. Wansi has forged strong international collaborations, particularly with European institutions, contributing to cutting-edge research on structure elucidation and biological evaluation of secondary metabolites. He is a highly respected figure in scientific communities across Africa and Europe, with numerous fellowships and invited professorships that underscore his global impact. As a mentor, he has supervised numerous Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers and actively participates in regional capacity-building through his involvement in graduate schools and scientific networks. His leadership in major research projects supported by prestigious agencies like DAAD, AvH, Marie Curie, and TWAS reflects his excellence in research and dedication to the advancement of African traditional medicine. Prof. Wansi’s academic and professional journey embodies the fusion of rigorous science with cultural knowledge, positioning him as a key figure in natural product-based drug development in Africa.
📝Publication Profile
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🎓Education
Prof. Wansi holds a distinguished academic background in natural products chemistry. He earned his Habilitation to Supervise Research (HDR) in Pharmacognosy on 2 October 2009 under the supervision of Prof. F. Tillequin at Paris Descartes University, France. His earlier doctoral training includes a State Doctorate (awarded 29 December 2005) and a Ph.D. (doctorate of speciality” (3rd cycle)) (awarded 23 June 2000), both completed under Prof. J. Wandji at the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. His foundational studies include a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Chemistry awarded on 30 June 1995, and a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) in Chemistry received on 30 June 1993, both from the University of Yaoundé I. This rigorous academic training laid the groundwork for his advanced work in natural product chemistry, emphasizing structure elucidation and biological activity studies. Through these degrees, Prof. Wansi developed an enduring passion for discovering bioactive molecules from African medicinal plants, a field in which he now excels as an international expert. His formal education bridges both Francophone African institutions and European research traditions, contributing to his interdisciplinary and collaborative research style.
💼Professional Experience
Prof. Dr. Jean Duplex Wansi has over two decades of academic and research experience in chemistry. He has served as Full Professor of Natural Products Chemistry at the University of Douala since 28 December 2016. Prior to this, he was Associate Professor from 30 May 2009 to 27 December 2016, and Assistant Professor from 30 September 2004 to 29 May 2009, at the same institution. His initial academic position was Assistant Lecturer from 20 September 2000 to 29 September 2004. Throughout his tenure, he has contributed significantly to both teaching and research, guiding numerous students at undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD levels. His responsibilities include mentorship of postdoctoral researchers, development of advanced curricula in spectroscopy and chromatography, and supervision of doctoral dissertations. His academic appointments reflect a progressive career trajectory built on scholarly excellence, teaching dedication, and impactful research. His growing leadership responsibilities have also been evident in organizing international conferences and participating in scientific committees. As a scholar with a global network, Prof. Wansi has cultivated strong ties with institutions across Europe and Africa, leveraging these collaborations to foster innovation in natural product-based drug development.
🔬Research Interest
Prof. Wansi’s research centers on the chemistry of natural products, with a specific emphasis on the discovery of bioactive compounds from African medicinal plants. His key areas of focus include anti-infective, anticancer, and antimalarial drug discovery, aiming to identify new therapeutic agents derived from natural sources. He is also actively involved in the valorization of African traditional medicine, exploring ethnobotanical knowledge to guide phytochemical investigations. His work contributes to the development of improved herbal medicines, prioritizing efficacy, safety, and sustainable sourcing. Additionally, Prof. Wansi investigates semisynthetic modifications of natural products to enhance bioactivity and reduce toxicity. His multidisciplinary approach integrates ethnopharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacognosy, making his research highly translational. Through extensive collaborations and field expeditions, he has built an impressive library of plant-derived compounds and participated in projects aimed at validating traditional remedies through rigorous scientific testing. His research not only contributes to scientific literature but also supports healthcare innovation in resource-limited settings. Prof. Wansi’s work is a critical bridge between traditional knowledge systems and modern pharmacological discovery.
🧠Research Skills
Prof. Wansi possesses a highly developed skill set in natural product isolation, structure elucidation, and bioassays. He is proficient in advanced chromatographic techniques (TLC, HPLC, GC) and spectroscopic methods (NMR, MS, IR, UV-Vis) for chemical analysis and compound identification. He is skilled in structure elucidation using both one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and is experienced in semisynthetic derivatization of natural compounds to improve pharmacological properties. Prof. Wansi has also led numerous bioactivity screening campaigns, testing plant extracts and isolated compounds for antibacterial, antimalarial, anticancer, and enzyme-inhibitory effects. He excels in interdisciplinary project coordination, bridging fields such as pharmacology, microbiology, and chemistry to achieve holistic understanding and drug development outcomes. His collaborative work across laboratories in Germany, the UK, and Cameroon reflects his ability to work in both high-resource and field-based settings. Additionally, his role as an academic mentor underscores his ability to train others in these specialized techniques, ensuring knowledge transfer and capacity building. His analytical precision and research acumen make him a leading figure in tropical phytochemistry and medicinal plant research.
🏆Awards and Honors
Prof. Wansi has received numerous prestigious fellowships and academic distinctions recognizing his leadership in natural product research. In 2025, he undertook a renewed Humboldt research stay at Bielefeld University, following earlier fellowships in 2008–2010 and 2014, where he studied antimicrobial and anticancer agents from Cameroonian plants. His Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship (2014–2016) at Liverpool John Moores University marked a high point in European recognition of his research on Fagara and Pierreodendron species. He was also awarded DAAD research fellowships in 2003, 2014, and 2019, and TWAS and AUF fellowships for research in Pakistan and France, respectively. These honors reflect his international standing and the high impact of his research. His Invited Professorship at Bielefeld University (2022–2023) focused on advanced spectroscopy of rainforest-derived drugs. Prof. Wansi has also played leading roles in projects funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and IFS, showcasing his continued excellence in securing competitive research grants. His accolades affirm his scientific influence and the global relevance of his work in natural product-based drug discovery.
📈Author Metrics
📌Publications Top Notes
1. Title: Highly oxygenated antiplasmodial and non-hemolytic Δ⁷,⁹(¹¹) stigmastane-type steroids from the twigs of Vernonia amygdalina Delile
Authors: Happi, G. M., Sikam, K. G., Dietl, A., Reinhardt, J. K., Dzouemo, L. C., Konfor, S. M., Rakhmanov, M., Wansi, J. D., & Teufel, R.
Journal: Phytochemistry Reviews
Year: 2025
2. Title: A new 30-norfriedelane triterpenoid from Caloncoba lophocarpa (Oliv.) Gilg. (Achariaceae)
Authors: Tcheuko, A. S., Hodjie, B. S. F., Tcho, A. T., Nsangou, M. F., Essoung, F. R. E., Isyaka, M. S., Mas-Claret, E., Langat, M. K., Wansi, J. D., & Kamdem, A. F. W.
Journal: Natural Product Research
Year: 2025
3. Title: Anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing activities of extract, fractions and compounds from the leaves of Cassia alata L. against yeast pathogens
Authors: Dzoyem, J. P., Fotso, S. C., Wansi, J. D., Tabenkoueng, B., Tsopgni, W. D. T., Toze, F. A. A., & McGaw, L. J.
Journal: Phytomedicine Plus
Year: 2024
4. Title: Phytochemical profiling, estimation of total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activity of leaf extracts of Tabernaemontana inconspicua Stapf
Authors: Ngah, L., Malolo, F. A. E., Nyobe, C. N., Nko’o, H. J., Tsopgni, W. D. T., Loe, G. E., Wansi, J. D., Waffo, A. K., Ndom, J. C., & Mpondo, E. M.
Journal: Cameroon Journal of Experimental Biology
Year: 2024
5. Title: Bioassay-directed isolation of antiplasmodial alkaloids from the dry seeds of Piper guineense Schumach. & Thonn. (Piperaceae) and their cytotoxicity
Authors: Yimtchui, M. T., Happi, G. M., Dzouemo, L. C., Sikam, K. G., Keuteu, P. L., & Wansi, J. D.
Journal: South African Journal of Botany
Year: 2024
6. Title: Antiplasmodial specialised compounds from the leaves of Guarea glomerulata Harms (Meliaceae)
Authors: Happi, G. M., Tcho, A. T., Sikam, K. G., Kemayou, G. P. M., Kamegne, J. P., Dzouemo, L. C., & Wansi, J. D.
Journal: Natural Product Research
Year: 2024
7. Title: Cytotoxic clerodane diterpenoids from the roots of Casearia barteri Mast.
Authors: Tabekoueng, G. B., Fozing, F. A. F., Mas-Claret, E., Langat, M. K., Frese, M., Bissoue, A. N., Wansi, J. D., Waffo, A. F. K., Sewald, N., & Lenta, B. N.
Journal: RSC Advances
Year: 2024
8. Title: Specialized compounds of four Cameroonian spices: Isolation, characterization, and in silico evaluation as prospective SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors
Authors: Happi, G. M., Sikam, K. G., Ibrahim, M. A. A., Dzouemo, L. C., Kemayou, G. P. M., Keuteu, P. L., Sidhom, P. A., Sayed, S. R. M., Hegazy, M.-E. F., & Wansi, J. D.
Journal: Open Chemistry
Year: 2024
9. Title: Chemical constituents of Citrus grandsis (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae) and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity
Authors: Ngolong, R. L. B., Tabekoueng, G. B., Happi, G. M., & Wansi, J. D.
Journal: Natural Resources for Human Health
Year: 2024
10. Title: Synthesis, antimicrobial properties and in silico evaluation of coumarin derivatives mediated by 1,4-dibromobutane
Authors: Tiakouang, E. N., Ewonkem, M. B., Moto, J. O., Adjieufack, A. I., Deussom, P. M., Mbock, M. A., Ngeufa, E. H., Toze, A. F. A., & Wansi, J. D.
Journal: Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics
Year: 2024
🧾Conclusion
Prof. Dr. Jean Duplex Wansi stands out as a leading figure in the field of natural products chemistry, with over two decades of research and teaching experience. His academic journey from Cameroon to prestigious European institutions has positioned him as a global advocate for the scientific exploration of African medicinal plants. Through a fusion of traditional knowledge and modern chemical techniques, he has discovered and characterized numerous bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. His dedication to mentorship, institutional capacity building, and collaborative science has fostered a vibrant research culture in Cameroon and across West Africa. With multiple international fellowships, research awards, and invited lectures to his name, Prof. Wansi has contributed significantly to drug discovery, especially in the fight against infections, cancer, and parasitic diseases. His leadership in interdisciplinary research projects and active participation in scientific networks highlight his role as a catalyst for innovation in Africa’s pharmaceutical sciences. As a committed educator and mentor, he continues to train the next generation of chemists and contribute to sustainable health solutions rooted in natural resources. His career is a testament to the power of collaboration, cultural valorization, and scientific rigor.