Chinwe Ewenighi

Foundational Sciences Faculty - Pathology Assistant Professor of Pathology - Foundational Sciences Campus: IllinoisCOM Department: Medical Education Institution: The Chicago School Email: [email protected]

Campus: Chicago, IL
Department: Medical Education
Institution: The Chicago School

Biography

Chinwe Ewenighi, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Pathology at The Chicago School, Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Ewenighi brings more than 20 years of experience in research and medical education, working across diverse teams and disciplines, with specialized expertise in Immunology, Immuno-Oncology, Translational Medicine, and Precision Oncology. She conducted her doctoral research as part of a collaborative split-site PhD program between the laboratory of Lijun Rong in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. The study focused on the immunogenicity and adaptive immune responses of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-positive pregnant women and their infants. Successful completion and defense of this research led to the award of a PhD in Immunology from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.

After publishing her doctoral research, she pursued postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Jan Kitajewski. Through significant effort in developing a strong, competitive grant proposal, Dr. Ewenighi earned the prestigious American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and a Postdoctoral Fellowship grant from the University of Illinois Health Cancer Center. As a Principal Investigator (UIC), Dr. Ewenighi independently led and managed multiple research projects investigating ethnic variations in the ACKRI/DARC gene and its influence on breast cancer progression and treatment outcomes through immune cell infiltration. Aside from research activities, Dr. Ewenighi has held leadership roles and received awards and honors. I am passionate about inspiring resilience and kindness in the next generation of students.

Education History

Degree	Institution
Doctorate	Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka , NG
Post-doctoral Research Fellowship	University of Illinois Chicago , Chicago IL

Professional Memberships

Role	Organization
Member	American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Member	Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC)

Presentations

Title	Location	Date
ACKR1 expression in stromal cells regulates Tumor-infiltrating leukocytes in triple-negative breast cancer.	Center for Cardiovascular Research (CCVR) Research Day, UIC, Chicago IL	2023
The role of stromal ACKR1 in immune infiltration in TNBC.	at American Cancer Society Diversity in Cancer Research and Training Annual Meeting, - Morehouse School of Medicine 720 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA	2023
ACKR1 expression in stromal cells regulates immune infiltration in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.	15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, Philadelphia, PA	2022
Tumor Endothelial ACKR1 Promotes Leukocyte Infiltration and Improves Survival Rate in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.	Center for Cardiovascular Research, Research Day. UIC, Chicago, Illinois.	2021

Community Involvement

Role	Organization
Volunteer and speaker	, “The Color of Hope—Cancer Prevention Family Fest,” by UI Cancer Center, at People for Community Recovery (PCR) Corridor, 13330 S. Corliss Avenue Riverdale, Chicago IL. 2023.

Areas of Expertise

Area	Expertise
Biomedical Science	Immunology
Select Area	Cell Biology
	Pathophysiology

Publications

Journal
Ewenighi C, Onyenekwe C, Udemba O, Muogbo P, Rong L. A (2020). A Mother-to-Child Transmission Study in Nigeria: The Impact of Maternal HIV Infection and HAART on Plasma Immunoglobulins, Cytokine Profiles and Infant Outcome.. Virologica Sinica, 35 (4), 468-47.
Uchechukwu D, Ezeudensi KL, Adejumo BI, Ewenighi CO, Besong EE, Umahi GO, Eteudo AN, Uneze B. (2018). Interactive effects of alcohol and chloroquine on hematologic profile of Wistar rats.. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol, 29 (5), 537-543.
Anzaku AA, Akyala JI, Adeola J, Ewenighi CO (2017). Antibacterial Activity of Lauric Acid on Some Selected Clinical Isolates.. Annals of Clinical & Laboratory Research., 5 (2), 170.
Ewenighi CO, Dimkpa U, Onyeanusi JC, Babtunde A, Onoh LUM, Onoh GO, Ezeugwu U. (2017). Prostate-specific antigen and its derivatives in young adults occupationally exposed to quarry pollutants in southeastern Nigeria.. Arch Environ Occupational Health., 72 (5), 258-263.
Ewenighi , Dimkpa U, Onoh L, Ezeugwu G, Dibia J (2016). Chronic kola nut consumption and its effect on uric acid level and lipid profile.. Journal of Molecular Pathophysiology, 5 (2),
Ewenighi CO, Dimkpa U, Ezeugwu U, Onoh L, Adejumo B, Onoh G (2015). Prevalence of hyperuricemia and its risk factors in healthy male adults from Abakaliki metropolis. Nigeria.. Journal of Molecular Pathophysiology, 4 , 94-98.
Ewenighi CO, Onyeanusi U, Onoh L, Onoh G, Oti N, Obasi L, Ezeugwu U. (2015). The use of free-total prostate specific antigen ratio in screening prostate cancer in men with specific elevations of prostate specific antigen.. Ulutas Med J., 1 (2), 31-35.
Ewenighi CO, Dimkpa U, Onyeanusi U, Onoh L, Onoh G, Ezeugwu U. (2015). Estimation of glucose level and body weight in alloxan induced diabetic rat treated with aqueous extract of Garcinia Kola Seed.. Ulutas Med J, 1 (2), 26-30.
Ewenighi CO, Dimkpa U, Onyeanusi JC, Onoh LM, Onoh GO, Adejumo BI, Ominyi F, Ezeugwu U, Ifeyinwa IC, Ebelechukwu AN, Okorie N. (2014). Electrolyte changes and urinalysis pattern in patients with vesicovaginal fistula compared to their healthy controls. Journal of Experimental and Integrative Medicine., 4 (4), 232-236.
Ewenighi CO, Dimkpa , Adejumo I, Onyeanusi C, Onoh U, Onoh O, Ezeugwu , Nwanjo U, Udemba A, Anojulu A (2014). Enzymatic activities of glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase and some liver enzymes among quarry workers in Umuoghara, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. International journal of health sciences and research., 4 (9), 129-134..
Ewenighi CO, Dimkpa U, Adejumo I, Onyeanusi C, Onoh LM, Onoh GO, Uzor , Ikegwuonu C, Udemba MA. (2013). Reproductive hormonal profile of post-menopausal women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.. British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research., 4 (5), 1269-1278.
Ewenighi CO, Dimkpa U, Adejumo,,B,I, Onyeanusi JC, Onoh LM, Ezeugwu U, Onoh GO, Uzor S, Orji E, Anojulu A (2013). Estimation of lipid profile and glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with Cymbopogon Citratus (lemongrass). Journal of Experimental and Integrative Medicine., 3 (3), 249-253.
Ewenighi CO, Uchechukwu D, Adejumo BI, Onyeanusi JC, Nnatuanya IN, Onoh OG, Okorie CE, Ogbuike OI. (2013). Responses to glycemic control therapy according to age, gender, level of adiposity, and duration of diabetes in type 2 diabetic patients.. Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, 67 (3-4), 61-69.
Ukwah BN, Kanu SC, Elom MO, Nweze E, Nwovu AI, Imakwu CA, Akpan JI, Ezeonu CT, Ndie EC, Azi SO, Obi IA, Ewenighi CO. (2013). In vivo comparative evaluation of effects of Artemether-Lumefantrine, Sulphadoxine-Pyrimetamine, and Halofantrine on G6PD activities, hemoglobin concentration, and malaria parasite clearance rate in malaria-infected adults. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare., 3 (6),
Ewenighi CO, Ukwa BN, Dimkpa U, Onyeanusi JC, Onoh LU, Ezeugwu U, Onoh GO, Ibeagi O, Eze , Uzo (2013). evaluation of the effects of Artemisinin-based combination therapy and amodiaquine monotherapy in G6PD activity, fasting glucose level and parasite clearance rate in malaria-infected Adults in Abakaliki, Nigeria.. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare., 3 (5), 39-44.
Ewenighi CO, Nwanjo U, Dimkpa U, Onyeanusi C, Nnatuanya N, Onoh LU, Ezeugwu , Onoh O, Ibeagi OO. (2013). Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus; risk factors among pregnant women in Abakaliki Metropolis, Ebonyi State Nigeria.. National Journal of Integrated Research in Medicine, 4 (1), 57–62.
Babatunde I, Dimkpa U, Ewenighi CO, Onifade AA, Mokogwu AT, Erhabor TA, Ukatu E, Nnatuanya IN. (2012). Incidence and risk of anemia in type-2 diabetic patients in the absence of renal impairment.. , 4 (6), 304-308.