Dr. Angélique Nicolas MESSI | Chemistry | Academic Excellence Honor
Dr. Angélique Nicolas MESSI, Département de chimie organique, Université de Yaoundé 1, Cameroon
Dr. Angélique Nicolas Messi is a distinguished Cameroonian chemist renowned for her contributions to organic and natural products chemistry. Born on February 7, 1983, in Ngambe, Cameroon, she has dedicated her career to exploring bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, focusing on their potential in treating diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and cancer. Her work integrates advanced chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, emphasizing green chemistry and sustainable practices. Dr. Messi’s research has not only advanced scientific understanding but also garnered international recognition, including the Best Researcher in Organic Chemistry award in 2025. She currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Yaoundé I and heads the Department of Basic and Applied Fundamental Sciences at the State University of Ebolowa. Her dedication to education and research continues to inspire and pave the way for future innovations in chemistry.
Professional Profile
Suitability Summary for Research for Academic Excellence Honor
Dr. Angelique Nicolas Messi stands out as an exemplary candidate for the Research for Academic Excellence Honor owing to his outstanding contributions to the field of organic chemistry, particularly in natural products and pharmaceutical chemistry. His profound expertise in chromatographic techniques (HPLC, MPLC, flash chromatography), spectral analysis (NMR, IR, LC-MS), and green synthetic strategies demonstrates a deep mastery of both experimental and theoretical aspects of chemical research. This technical expertise underpins his impactful research on bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants, focusing on neuroprotection, anticancer, antimalarial, and anti-HIV properties, which are of significant relevance to global health challenges.
In addition to his research prowess, Dr. Messi has demonstrated excellence in academic leadership and mentorship. Serving as a full-time senior lecturer at the University of Yaoundé I and heading the Department of Basic and Applied Fundamental Sciences at the State University of Ebolowa, he actively shapes future generations of scientists through rigorous teaching and supervision. His role as chair of the Natural Product Chemistry Laboratory and his supervision of multiple Master’s students highlight his commitment to fostering academic growth and scientific inquiry.
Education
Dr. Messi’s academic journey reflects her deep commitment to chemistry. She earned her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Yaoundé I, focusing on biflavonoids and other constituents from Ochna species. Prior to this, she obtained a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry and a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry from the University of Ngaoundere. Her foundational studies began with a DEUG in Applied Chemistry and Advanced Levels in Sciences and Mathematics from B.G.S Buea. To further her research, she undertook postdoctoral studies at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland under Prof. Christian G. Bochet. These academic pursuits have equipped her with a robust foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry, enabling her to contribute significantly to the field.
Professional Experience
Dr. Messi’s professional career is marked by a blend of teaching, research, and leadership. As a Senior Lecturer at the University of Yaoundé I, she imparts knowledge in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Botany, Pharmacognosy, and research methodology. She also leads the Department of Basic and Applied Fundamental Sciences at the State University of Ebolowa and serves as a part-time Senior Lecturer at the International School of Petroleum Engineering. Her roles extend to supervising Master’s students and chairing the Natural Product Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Yaoundé I. Dr. Messi’s extensive experience in chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, coupled with her leadership in various academic departments, underscores her multifaceted contributions to the field of chemistry.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Messi’s exemplary work in chemistry has been recognized through numerous awards and fellowships. In 2025, she was honored as the Best Researcher in Organic Chemistry. Her international engagements include a research visit to the University of Free State, South Africa, in 2023, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, during 2020-2021. She also participated in the African Training School on Green Chemistry and Environmental Sustainability in Morocco in 2025. Additionally, she received a Ph.D. research fellowship at the University of Free State in 2015. These accolades reflect her global impact and dedication to advancing chemical research.
Research Skills On Chemistry
Dr. Messi possesses a comprehensive skill set in chemical research. Her expertise encompasses chromatographic techniques like Column, Flash, Reverse Phase, MPLC, HPLC, and Preparative TLC. She is proficient in spectroscopic methods including NMR, IR, LC-MS, GC-MS, and HRESIMS. Her research involves the isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, employing spectroscopic techniques such as 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV, Mass Spectrometry, optical rotations, and elemental analysis. Dr. Messi also emphasizes green synthetic strategies and has a strong understanding of GLP and laboratory safety requirements. Her multilingual abilities in French and English, combined with her proficiency in software like Microsoft Office and Chemdraw, further enhance her research capabilities.
Publication Top Notes
- Cytotoxic flavonoids and other constituents from the stem bark of Ochna schweinfurthiana
Authors: JT Ndongo, ME Issa, AN Messi, J Ngo Mbing, M Cuendet, DE Pegnyemb, …
Journal: Natural Product Research, Volume 29, Issue 17, Pages 1684-1687
Citations: 48
Year: 2015 - Phenolic compounds from the roots of Ochna schweinfurthiana and their antioxidant and antiplasmodial activities
Authors: AN Messi, JN Mbing, JT Ndongo, MA Nyegue, AT Tchinda, FL Yemeda, …
Journal: Phytochemistry Letters, Volume 17, Pages 119-125
Citations: 28
Year: 2016 - Phytochemical Study of Aqueous Extract of Ochna schweinfurthiana F. Hoffm Powder Bark and Evaluation of Their Anti‐Inflammatory, Cytotoxic, and Genotoxic …
Authors: SV Djova, MA Nyegue, AN Messi, AD Afagnigni, FX Etoa
Journal: Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019, Article ID 8908343
Citations: 22
Year: 2019 - In Vitro and In Silico Potential Inhibitory Effects of New Biflavonoids from Ochna rhizomatosa on HIV-1 Integrase and Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: AN Messi, SL Bonnet, BA Owona, A Wilhelm, ELD Kamto, JT Ndongo, …
Journal: Pharmaceutics, Volume 14, Issue 8, Article 1701
Citations: 9
Year: 2022 - Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the leaves, stem-barks extracts and fractions of Ochna schweinfurthiana F. Hoffm (Ochnaceae)
Authors: MA Nyegue, JN Mbing, SV Djova, AN Messi, SV Olugu, DE Pegnyemb, …
Journal: African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Volume 10, Issue 17, Pages 370-378
Citations: 6
Year: 2016 - Biflavonoid Methylchamaejasmin and Khaya grandifoliola Extract Inhibit NLRP3 Inflammasome in THP-1 Cell Model of Neuroinflammation
Authors: BA Owona, A Mary, AN Messi, KA Ravichandran, JN Mbing, E Pegnyemb, …
Journal: Molecular Neurobiology, Volume 62, Issue 2, Pages 1605-1619
Citations: 1
Year: 2025 - Rhizomatoflavonoid D and Other Flavonoids from the Twigs of Ochna Rhizomatosa as a Potential Inhibitor of HIV-1
Authors: AN Messi, B Tsakem, M Akongwi, O Bodede, P Moyo, …
Journal: Chemistry Africa, Volume 7, Issue 9, Pages 4719-4726
Citations: 1
Year: 2024 - Two new aggreceride derivatives and other chemical constituents from the stems of Tarenna conferta Benth and their potential antileishmanial activity against Leishmania …
Authors: RC Dzukoug, AN Messi, RD Zeukang, SL Bonnet, A Wilhelm, DG Tene, …
Journal: Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, Volume 121, Article 104990
Citations: Not specified
Year: 2025 - Antimicrobial activity and structure elucidation of Pterosterone, a naturally occurring phytoecdysteroid isolated from the leaves of Vitex madiensis Oliv.(Lamiaceae)
Authors: EM Lengbiye, AN Messi, LM Messi, B Fofack, AAA Zintchem, DS Gwladys, …
Journal: Pharmacological Research-Natural Products, Article 100264
Citations: Not specified
Year: 2025 - Impact of solvation on plant-derived cyclic octapeptide alkaloid reactivity and drug suitability against target proteins implicated in leukemia: DFT, pharmacokinetics and …
Authors: OC Godfrey, EA Adindu, JC Ugwu, AN Messi
Journal: Journal of Molecular Structure, Article 142504
Citations: Not specified
Year: 2025