Neville Forlemu

Dr. Neville Forlemu was born in 1980, in Kumba, Southwest Region of Cameroon. In 2001, he received his BSc. in biochemistry, then spent two years as an entrepreneur running a chemical and provision store. In 2009, he obtained his doctoral degree under the direction of Professor Kathryn Thomasson (UND) on studying macromolecular functional complexes using Brownian dynamics simulations. During graduate school, he received numerous awards including Biophysical Society travel grants, the Dr. Severson Award for Excellence in Research (2007), Dr. Severson-Dr Coon Award for Excellence in Teaching (2007) and $50,000 research grant as UNCF-MERCK Science Fellow (2008). He then spent a year at Mount Sinai School of Medicine as a post-doctoral fellow under the direction of Professor Martha Filizola on structural study of the serotonin-metabotropic receptor complexes.

The passion for teaching took him to Shorter University in the fall of 2010 where he taught chemistry. In 2012, Forlemu joined the faculty at Georgia Gwinnett College, where he presently serves as a part-time faculty mentor and associate professor of chemistry. He has mentored numerous undergraduate research students as well as underprivileged high school students through the ACS SEED program.

His research interests include molecular modeling and development of novel antimalarial therapies (chloroquine mimetics and fluorinated sulfonamides), and molecular dynamics simulations of the aggregation of cyclic peptides with lipid bilayers.

Forlemu is also passionate about fostering global citizenship and experiential learning. Over the past three years, he has developed a strong interest in exposing students to diverse cultures through study abroad opportunities. He has successfully led students on a study abroad program to Thailand, immersing them in Southeast Asian culture while earning academic credits. 

• Post-doctoral fellowship – computational biophysical chemistry – Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• Doctorate – physical chemistry – University of North Dakota 
• Bachelor’s – biochemistry – University of Buea

Chemistry Research: The Forlemu research group investigates functional protein-ligand and lipid peptide complexes, using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.

Chemical Education: Developing teaching tools and methodologies (games, computer simulations, flipped classroom, backward design and POGIL activities) to keep 21st century students engaged and at the center of the learning process

• Mallia, A.; Nguyen, M.; Sloop, J.; Forlemu, J. Molecular docking of fluorinated heterocyclic sulfonamides: Novel Ligands with selective affinities for human and Plasmodium Dihydrofolate Reductase. J. Und. Chem. Res. 2023, 22(1)
• Karelle, D., Forlemu, N. , Alphonse, E. , Eric, N., Patouossa, I. and Justin, N. (2021) Computational Study of the Interactions between Antimalarial Chemotherapies with Folate Pathway Receptors and Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase. Computational Chemistry, 9, 197-214.
• Njabon, N. E., Forlemu, N. Y., Emadak, A., Waingeh, V. F., Thomasson, A. K. Brownian dynamics simulations of the interactions between lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and G- or F-Actin. Part II: mixed isoforms. Chem. Pap. 2021. 
• Forlemu, N. Y., Sloop, J.  Molecular dynamics simulations of the interactions between triose phosphate isomerase and sulfonamides. PeerJ Physical Chemistry, 2020, 2:e13
• Njabon, N. E., Patouossa, I., Carlson, L. K., Lowe, L. S., Forlemu, N. Y., Thomasson, A. K. Brownian dynamics simulations of the interactions between lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and G- or F-Actin. Part I: Muscle and heart homo-isoforms. Scientific African, 2020, 9, e00510. 
• Neville Forlemu, Cedrick Dizala Mukinay, Rotimi Babalola, and Joseph Sloop. “Targeting the Plasmodium Falciparum Folate Pathway: Molecular Modeling of the Affinity of Sulfonamide Derivatives and Isoforms of Dihydrofolate Reductase Thymidylate Synthase” J. Und. Chem. Res., 2017, 16(2), 68-71.
• Forlemu, N., Watkins, P. and Sloop, J. (2017) Molecular Docking of Selective Binding Affinity of Sulfonamide Derivatives as Potential Anti-malarial Agents Targeting the Glycolytic Enzymes: GAPDH, Aldolase and TPI. Open Journal of Biophysics, 7, 41-57.
• Neville Y. Forlemu, Leonard E. Anagho, David P. Purcell. Nursing Chemistry Course Scheduling and Student Performance: Implications for administrators and students. Innovations, 2016.
• David P. Purcell, Neville Y. Forlemu, Leonard E. Anagho. Mathematics Competency for Beginning Chemistry Students Through Dimensional Analysis. J. Nurs Educ, 2017, 56(1), 22-26.
• Nicoleta Alexandru and Neville Forlemu. Towards the Selective Inhibition of Glycolytic Pathway Enzymes: A Computational Analysis of Plasmodium Falciparum and Human Triosephosphate Isomerase Ligand Interactions. IJURCA, 2016, 8, 1-12.
• Igor V. Uporov, Neville Y. Forlemu, Rahul Nori, Tsvetan Aleksandrov, Boris A. Sango, Sandeep Pothuganti, Yvonne Bongfen, and Kathryn A. Thomasson. Introducing DInaMo: A Package for Calculating Protein Circular Dichroism Using Classical Electromagnetic Theory. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2015, 16(9), 21237-21276. doi:10.3390/ijms160921237

Presentations

• Neville Forlemu and Emily Henary. 2024. Using Project-Based Learning to Engage Students in Chemistry and its Applications in Human Health. The 2nd  KPRU International Student Research Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology, June 30th, Thailand.
• Luis Rodriguez Lara, Andrew Gonzales, Boyko Gyurov and Neville Forlemu. Insilco design of tunable molecules with antimalarial and antibiotic properties. A case study for malaria and leptospirosis. The 2nd  KPRU International Student Research Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology, June 30th, Thailand
• Emily Henary, Maged Henary, Michelle Yousupov, Jaydy Hernandez, Neville Forlemu. (2024). Exploring 4-Aminoquinolines as Novel Antiviral agents for COVID-19 Through Molecular Docking. Alixandaria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
• Jaydy Hernandez, Michelle Yusupov, Emily Henary, Neville Forlemu (2024). Molecular Details of Cyclotide Self Assembly using Molecular docking . Georgia Gwinnett College research symposium (Science, Technology and Research Symposium. Lawrenceville 
• Simon Mwongela, Ajay Mallia, Sairam Tangirala, and Neville Forlemu., “Investigation of pH mediated dimerization of Vancomycin hydrochloride using spectroscopic and capillary electrophoretic techniques.” ACS 2024 March 20th, New Orleans, LA. 
• Zoe Adu, Rebeca Aceves Mundo, Courtney Forlemu, Ben Shephard, Simon Mwongela, Neville Forlemu Molecular Modeling of Cyclotide Self-aggregation and Affinity with Prolyl Oligopeptidase (POP). SERMACS 2023, October 25th , Durham NC 
• Joel Suazo , Diana Kem, Jeanny Cooper, Neville Forlemu, Simon Mwongela, Sairam Tangirala, Ajay Mallia “Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction for the purification of cyclotides.” ACS, August 13th, 2023 San Francisco CA. 
• Ajay Mallia, Simon Mwongela, Neville Forlemu,  Sairam Tangirala , “ Self-assembly and aggregation studies of vancomycin hydrochloride using uv-vis absorption, steady state fluorescence and capillary electrophoresis studies.”   ACS, August 13th, 2023 San Francisco CA. 
• Benjamin Shepard, Diana Kem, Ajay Mallia, Simon Mwongela, Neville Forlemu, Sairam Tangirala “Novel Method Development for Separation of Cyclotides Using Capillary Electrophoresis.” 17th Herty Medalist Undergraduate Research Symposium, September 22nd, 2023, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA. 
• Forlemu, N.; Mwongela, S.; Mallia, A.; Tangirala, S. The 1st KPRU International Student Research Conference on Science, Mathematics and Technology, June 24th, Thailand
• Rebeca, S.; Forlemu, N.; A. “Do Cyclotides Interact with Prolyl Oligopeptidase? Molecular Docking Approach” Science Technology and Research Symposium (STaRS), April 13, 2023, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA.
• Aneri Amin, Simon Mwongela, Sairam Tangirala, Ajay Mallia and Neville Forlemu Solution Structures of Novel Cyclotides Sequences (Alca1 and Alca2) using Homology Modeling and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. 17th Herty Medalist Undergraduate Research Symposium, September 16, 2022, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA.
• Cooper, J.; Kem, D.; Adagun, R.; Lee, J.; Mwongela, S.; Forlemu, F.; Tangirala, S.; Mallia, A. Extraction, purification, self-assembly, and aggregation studies of cyclotides: A Comparison of the fluorescence properties cyclotides with vancomycin hydrochloride, 41st Annual Biological Stain Commission Conference, August 5, 2022, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
• Mallia, A.; Mwongela, S.; Forlemu, N.; Tangirala, S. Self-assembly and aggregation studies of vancomycin hydrochloride using UV-Vis absorption, steady state fluorescence and capillary electrophoresis studies, 264th American Chemical Society national meeting and exposition, Interactions of iron zero nanoparticles with surfactants and deep eutectic solvents, Aug 21-26, 2022, Chicago, IL.
• Kem, D.; Cooper, J.; Mallia, A.; Mwongela, S.; Forlemu, N.; Tangirala, S. UV-Vis absorption and Steady-State Fluorescence Studies of Cyclotides: A Comparison of the Photophysical Properties of Cyclotides with Vancomycin Hydrochloride, 17th Herty Medalist Undergraduate Research Symposium, September 16, 2022, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA.
• Cooper, J.; Kem, D.; Mallia, A.; Mwongela, S.; Forlemu, N.; Tangirala, S. Comparison of Traditional and Microwave-Assisted Extraction Methods and Purification of Cyclotides, 17th Herty Medalist Undergraduate Research Symposium, September 16, 2022, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA.
• Cooper, J.; Kem, D.; Forlemu; N.; Mwongela, S.; Tangirala, S.; Mallia, A. Comparison of microwave-assisted extraction with conventional extraction of cyclotides and preliminary photophysical studies, 265th American Chemical Society national meeting and exposition, March 26-30, 2023, Indianapolis, IN.
• Shannon, S.; Forlemu, N.; Tangirala, S.; Mwongela, S.; Mallia, A. “Computational Simulations of the interactions between Cyclotides and Lipid Bilayers.” Science Technology and Research Symposium (STaRS), April 14, 2022, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA.
• Forlemu, N.; Mwongela, S.; Mallia, A.; Tangirala, S. “Molecular dynamics and machine learning study of supramolecular complexes involving cyclotides and lipid bilayers.” 263rd American Chemical Society virtual national meeting and exposition, March 19-24, 2022, San Diego, CA
• Mallia, A.; Forlemu, N.; Mwongela, S.; Tangirala, S. “Extraction, purification, self-assembly, and aggregation studies of cyclotides.” 263rd American Chemical Society virtual national meeting and exposition, March 19-24, 2022, San Diego, CA
• Mallia, A.; Forlemu, N.Y. Binding interactions of acridinyl, quinolinyl, and pyridinyl benzenesulfonamides with Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase using computational methods: The 66th Science Montgomery Fair, March 25-27, 2022, Virtual. The first place poster in chemistry category.
• Mallia, A.; Forlemu, N.Y. Molecular modeling of the interactions between acridinyl, quinolinyl, and pyridinyl benzenesulfonamides with Plasmodium falciparum folate pathway enzymes dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase: 263rd American Chemical Society Virtual National Meeting and Exposition, March 20-24, 2022, San Diego, CA.
• Neville Forlemu; Simon Mwongela, Patrick Coppock, Aja Mallia. Do cyclotides aggregate with lipid bilayers? Experimental and computational characterization of the interaction between cyclotide, cyclotide mimetics, and lipid bilayers. 2019 American Chemical Society National Meeting, Orlando, Florida, April 1 to April 4.
• Tyler Sawyer; Neville Forlemu, and Ajay Mallia. Synthesis, gelation and computational studies of pyridine and acridine based cholesteryl carbamates CREATE Symposium, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA, April 9.
• Tyler Sawyer; Neville Forlemu, and Ajay Mallia. Synthesis, gelation and computational studies of pyridine and acridine based cholesteryl carbamates 2019 American Chemical Society National Meeting, Orlando, Florida, April 1 to April 4.
• Emile Bongkiyung; Joseph Sloop; Neville Forlemu. Folate Pathway as Target for Antimalarial Activity: Molecular Docking of Sulfonamides with Plasmodium and Dihydrofolate Reductase – Thymidylate Synthase (DHFR-TS). The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science, University of North Georgia.
• Tyler Sawyer; Neville Forlemu, and Ajay Mallia. Synthesis, gelation and computational studies of pyridine and acridine based cholesteryl carbamates. The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science, University of North Georgia.
• Neville Forlemu. Modeling the Three-Dimensional Structure of Proteins and Peptides: Guest Lecture for Rebekah Ward Bioinformatics class: Georgia Gwinnett College.
• Emily Xu and Neville Forlemu. Homology modeling of Plasmodium falciparum dihydropteroate synthase: 2018 American Chemical Society Georgia Section Research Symposium. Kennesaw State University, October 27 (The winning poster of the evening).
• Ashu Eyongeri.; Joseph Sloop., Neville Forlemu. Sulfonamides as potential antimalarial targets: Modeling the impact of fluorine substitution on ligand affinity. The 70th Southeastern Regional meeting of the American Chemical Society, October 31, 2018, Augusta.
• Ashu Eyongeri.; Joseph Sloop., Neville Forlemu. Sulfonamides as potential antimalarial targets: Modeling the impact of fluorine substitution on ligand affinity. Herty Medal Undergraduate Research Symposium, September 21, 2018, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA (Second place poster).
• Emile Bongkiyung E., Joseph Sloop, Neville Y. Forlemu. The Folate Pathway as Target for Antimalarial Activity: Molecular Docking of Sulfonamides with Plasmodium and Bacterial Dihydropteroate Synthase. Herty Medal Undergraduate Research Symposium, September 21, 2018, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA.
• Emily Xu and Neville Forlemu. Molecular modeling of Plasmodium falciparum dihydropteroate synthase: a potential target for antimalarial drug activity. Herty Medal Undergraduate Research Symposium, September 21, 2018, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville, GA.

Grants

• The U.S. Department of State’s IDEAS (Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students) Program: The impact of water pollutants on health and biodiversity in Cameroon ($35,000). PI-Neville Forlemu
• GGC VPASA Seed Funds Program: Exploring the selective binding affinity between fluorinated sulfonamides and folate and glycolytic pathway enzymes: ($4000). Co-Pi Neville Forlemu
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Award Number (FAIN): 2107567: Extraction, Purification and Characterization of the Interaction Between Cyclotide and Cyclotide Aggregates with Lipid Bilayers: $11500) Supplement for MPH High School Research Assistants. PI-Neville Forlemu
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Award Number (FAIN): 2107567: Extraction, Purification and Characterization of the Interaction Between Cyclotide and Cyclotide Aggregates with Lipid Bilayers: ($249,052)
• University System of Georgia, Affordable materials grants, Round 19 Transformation, Grant Affordable learning Georgia: “Zero Cost Clinical and Evidence Based Laboratory Experiments and Homework modules for Survey of Chemistry” ($30,000)

• GGC Excellence in Teaching Award nominee, 2023, 2024
• Outstanding Scholarship and Creativity Award, Georgia Gwinnett College, 2022
• Top Claw Award, Georgia Gwinnett College, 2021 
• Annual GGC Teaching Award nominee, 2015, 2016
• UNCF-MERCK Science Fellow Grant $50,000, 2008
• Awarded $100,000 in research grant funding as principal investigator (PI) or co-PI since joining GGC
• 2012/2013 Nominated For GGC Teaching Excellence
• UNCF-MERCK Science Fellow, awarded $50,000 in research grants