Amissah, Felix
Ph.D., M.Phil., B.Pharm.
Professor
Biography
Felix Amissah is a professor of Pharmacology in the Foundational Sciences Department at Central Michigan University College of Medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Pharmacy and Master of Philosophy in Pharmacology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, under the mentorship of Professor Eric Woode. He then pursued a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a specialization in Pharmacology, followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where he worked with Dr. Nazarius Lamango. In 2016, Dr. Amissah joined Ferris State University as an assistant professor of Pharmacology. He later advanced to the roles of associate professor and chair of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Department at the College of Pharmacy. In the spring of 2025, he transitioned to the Foundational Sciences Discipline at CMU College of Medicine as professor of Pharmacology. Amissah's research focuses on the potential of natural products and novel small molecules as anticancer agents. His investigations include the pharmacological effects of small molecules, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in lung cancer. He also explores the molecular targeting of cancers expressing mutant Ras and Rho GTPases. Additionally, his collaborative research on dual EGFR and Aurora kinase inhibitors, glycosylated tetracenomycins, and cryptolepine analogs has significantly contributed to cancer drug discovery efforts.
More about Felix Amissah
Publications & Presentations
Poku R, Amissah F, Alan JK (2023). PI3K Functions Downstream of Cdc42 to Drive Cancer phenotypes in a Melanoma Cell Line. Small GTPases.
Bierlein M, Charles J, Polisuk-Balfour T, Bretscher H, Rice M, Zvonar J, Pohl D, Winslow L, Wasie B, Deurloo S, Van Wert J, Williams B, Ankney G, Harmon Z, Dann E, Azuz A, Guzman-Vargas A, Kuhns E, Neufeld TP, O'Connor MB, Amissah F, Zhu CC (2023). Autophagy impairment and lifespan reduction caused by Atg1 RNAi or Atg18 RNAi expression in adult fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). Genetics.
Bayles CE, Hale DE, Konieczny A, Anderson VD, Richardson CR, Brown KV, Nguyen JT, Hecht J, Schwartz N, Kharel MK, Amissah F, Dowling TC, Nybo SE (2023). Upcycling the anthracyclines: New mechanisms of action, toxicology, and pharmacology. Toxicology and applied pharmacology.
Vilme H, Duke NN, Dokurugu Y, Akin-Odanye EO, Paul CJ, Kaninjing E, López IA, Matsouaka R, Brown Speights JS, De Leon J, Sauls DL, Ndip RN, Amissah F, Bosworth H, Warren CL, Muiruri C (2022). Food insecurity among university students in the United States amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of American college health : J of ACH.
Asong GM, Voshavar C, Amissah F, Bricker B, Lamango NS, Ablordeppey SY (2022). An Evaluation of the Anticancer Properties of SYA014, a Homopiperazine-Oxime Analog of Haloperidol in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers.
Amissah, F., Deshmukh, R. (2021). Evaluating the Effect of Cationic Peptide K16ApoE Against Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilms. Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation.
Amissah F, Andey T, Ahlschwede KM (2021). Nanotechnology-based therapies for the prevention and treatment of Streptococcus mutans-derived dental caries. Journal of oral biosciences.
Poku RA, Jones KJ, Van Baren M, Alan JK, Amissah F (2020). Diclofenac Enhances Docosahexaenoic Acid-Induced Apoptosis in Vitro in Lung Cancer Cells. Cancers.
Asong GM, Amissah F, Voshavar C, Nkembo AT, Ntantie E, Lamango NS, Ablordeppey SY (2020). A Mechanistic Investigation on the Anticancer Properties of SYA013, a Homopiperazine Analogue of Haloperidol with Activity against Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells. ACS omega.
Smith T, Affram K, Nottingham EL, Han B, Amissah F, Krishnan S, Trevino J, Agyare E (2020). Application of smart solid lipid nanoparticles to enhance the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Scientific reports.
Nkembo AT, Amissah F, Ntantie E, Poku RA, Salako OO, Ikpatt OF, Lamango NS (2019). Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors Deplete K-Ras and Induce Caspase-dependent Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells. Current cancer drug targets.
Asong G, Zhu XY, Bricker B, Andey T, Amissah F, Lamango N, Ablordeppey SY (2019). New analogs of SYA013 as sigma-2 ligands with anticancer activity. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry.
Poku RA, Salako OO, Amissah F, Nkembo AT, Ntantie E, Lamango NS (2017). Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors induce caspase 3/7- and 8-mediated apoptosis and inhibit migration and invasion of metastatic prostate cancer cells. American journal of cancer research.
Ntantie E, Fletcher J, Amissah F, Salako OO, Nkembo AT, Poku RA, Ikpatt FO, Lamango NS (2017). Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors disrupt actin cytoskeleton organization, induce cell rounding and block migration of non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget.
Ofori-Amoah, J., Koffuor, G., Amissah, F., Owusu, G., Antwi, A., Orish, V. (2016). Effects of a Hydro-ethanolic Extract of Scoparia dulcis on Systemic Inflammation and Cachexia in an Allergic Asthma Model. Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Nkembo AT, Ntantie E, Salako OO, Amissah F, Poku RA, Latinwo LM, Lamango NS (2016). The antiangiogenic effects of polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors in HUVEC, chick embryo and zebrafish is dependent on the polyisoprenyl moiety. Oncotarget.
Nkembo AT, Salako O, Poku RA, Amissah F, Ntantie E, Flores-Rozas H, Lamango NS (2016). Disruption of actin filaments and suppression of pancreatic cancer cell viability and migration following treatment with polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amides. American journal of cancer research.
Poku RA, Amissah F, Duverna R, Aguilar BJ, Kiros GE, Lamango NS (2014). Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase as a putative drug target for androgen-insensitive prostate cancer. Ecancermedicalscience.
Ayuk-Takem L, Amissah F, Aguilar BJ, Lamango NS (2014). Inhibition of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase by synthetic musks induces cell degeneration. Environmental toxicology.
Amissah F, Duverna R, Aguilar BJ, Poku RA, Kiros GE, Lamango NS (2014). Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase overexpression and hyperactivity promotes lung cancer progression. American journal of cancer research.
Aguilar BJ, Nkembo AT, Duverna R, Poku RA, Amissah F, Ablordeppey SY, Lamango NS (2014). Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase: a putative biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. European journal of medicinal chemistry.
Amissah, F., , Agyapong, G., Ainooson, G.K. (2013). Myorelaxant Effect of an Alcoholic Extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Roots in Rabbit Aortic Strip and Corpus Cavernosum. Pharmacologia.
Amissah F, Duverna R, Aguilar BJ, Poku RA, Lamango NS (2013). Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase is both sensitive to curcumin and overexpressed in colorectal cancer: implications for chemoprevention and treatment. BioMed research international.
Aguilar B, Amissah F, Duverna R, Lamango NS (2011). Polyisoprenylation potentiates the inhibition of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase and the cell degenerative effects of sulfonyl fluorides. Current cancer drug targets.
Amissah F, Taylor S, Duverna R, Ayuk-Takem LT, Lamango NS (2011). Regulation of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase by polyunsaturated fatty acids and prostaglandins. European journal of lipid science and technology : EJLST.
Woode, E., Amissah, F., Duwiejua, M., Ansah, C., Fleischer, T.C., Sawer, I.K (2008). Effects of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Taub.) Fruit Extract on Some Isolated Tissues: Possible Mechanism(s) of Antihypertensive Action. Journal of Science & Technology.
Fleischer, T.C, Sawer, I.K., Woode, E. (2007). Cardiovascular effects of an alcoholic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Taub) fruit in vitro and in anesthetized rats. The Ghana Pharmaceutical Journal..
Owiredu, W.K.B.A., Nafiu, A, Amissah, F., Woode, E. (2007). The Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Root of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre on Sexual Behavior and Hormonal Levels in Rodents. Journal of Science & Technology.
Bierlein M, Charles J, Polisuk-Balfour T, Bretscher H, Rice M, Zvonar J, Pohl D, Winslow L, Wasie B, Deurloo S, Van Wert J, Williams B, Ankney G, Harmon Z, Dann E, Azuz A, Guzman-Vargas A, Kuhns E, Neufeld TP, O'Connor MB, Amissah F, Zhu CC (2023). Autophagy impairment and lifespan reduction caused by Atg1 RNAi or Atg18 RNAi expression in adult fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). Genetics.
Bayles CE, Hale DE, Konieczny A, Anderson VD, Richardson CR, Brown KV, Nguyen JT, Hecht J, Schwartz N, Kharel MK, Amissah F, Dowling TC, Nybo SE (2023). Upcycling the anthracyclines: New mechanisms of action, toxicology, and pharmacology. Toxicology and applied pharmacology.
Vilme H, Duke NN, Dokurugu Y, Akin-Odanye EO, Paul CJ, Kaninjing E, López IA, Matsouaka R, Brown Speights JS, De Leon J, Sauls DL, Ndip RN, Amissah F, Bosworth H, Warren CL, Muiruri C (2022). Food insecurity among university students in the United States amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of American college health : J of ACH.
Asong GM, Voshavar C, Amissah F, Bricker B, Lamango NS, Ablordeppey SY (2022). An Evaluation of the Anticancer Properties of SYA014, a Homopiperazine-Oxime Analog of Haloperidol in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers.
Amissah, F., Deshmukh, R. (2021). Evaluating the Effect of Cationic Peptide K16ApoE Against Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilms. Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation.
Amissah F, Andey T, Ahlschwede KM (2021). Nanotechnology-based therapies for the prevention and treatment of Streptococcus mutans-derived dental caries. Journal of oral biosciences.
Poku RA, Jones KJ, Van Baren M, Alan JK, Amissah F (2020). Diclofenac Enhances Docosahexaenoic Acid-Induced Apoptosis in Vitro in Lung Cancer Cells. Cancers.
Asong GM, Amissah F, Voshavar C, Nkembo AT, Ntantie E, Lamango NS, Ablordeppey SY (2020). A Mechanistic Investigation on the Anticancer Properties of SYA013, a Homopiperazine Analogue of Haloperidol with Activity against Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells. ACS omega.
Smith T, Affram K, Nottingham EL, Han B, Amissah F, Krishnan S, Trevino J, Agyare E (2020). Application of smart solid lipid nanoparticles to enhance the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Scientific reports.
Nkembo AT, Amissah F, Ntantie E, Poku RA, Salako OO, Ikpatt OF, Lamango NS (2019). Polyisoprenylated Cysteinyl Amide Inhibitors Deplete K-Ras and Induce Caspase-dependent Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells. Current cancer drug targets.
Asong G, Zhu XY, Bricker B, Andey T, Amissah F, Lamango N, Ablordeppey SY (2019). New analogs of SYA013 as sigma-2 ligands with anticancer activity. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry.
Poku RA, Salako OO, Amissah F, Nkembo AT, Ntantie E, Lamango NS (2017). Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors induce caspase 3/7- and 8-mediated apoptosis and inhibit migration and invasion of metastatic prostate cancer cells. American journal of cancer research.
Ntantie E, Fletcher J, Amissah F, Salako OO, Nkembo AT, Poku RA, Ikpatt FO, Lamango NS (2017). Polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors disrupt actin cytoskeleton organization, induce cell rounding and block migration of non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget.
Ofori-Amoah, J., Koffuor, G., Amissah, F., Owusu, G., Antwi, A., Orish, V. (2016). Effects of a Hydro-ethanolic Extract of Scoparia dulcis on Systemic Inflammation and Cachexia in an Allergic Asthma Model. Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Nkembo AT, Ntantie E, Salako OO, Amissah F, Poku RA, Latinwo LM, Lamango NS (2016). The antiangiogenic effects of polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors in HUVEC, chick embryo and zebrafish is dependent on the polyisoprenyl moiety. Oncotarget.
Nkembo AT, Salako O, Poku RA, Amissah F, Ntantie E, Flores-Rozas H, Lamango NS (2016). Disruption of actin filaments and suppression of pancreatic cancer cell viability and migration following treatment with polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amides. American journal of cancer research.
Poku RA, Amissah F, Duverna R, Aguilar BJ, Kiros GE, Lamango NS (2014). Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase as a putative drug target for androgen-insensitive prostate cancer. Ecancermedicalscience.
Ayuk-Takem L, Amissah F, Aguilar BJ, Lamango NS (2014). Inhibition of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase by synthetic musks induces cell degeneration. Environmental toxicology.
Amissah F, Duverna R, Aguilar BJ, Poku RA, Kiros GE, Lamango NS (2014). Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase overexpression and hyperactivity promotes lung cancer progression. American journal of cancer research.
Aguilar BJ, Nkembo AT, Duverna R, Poku RA, Amissah F, Ablordeppey SY, Lamango NS (2014). Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase: a putative biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. European journal of medicinal chemistry.
Amissah, F., , Agyapong, G., Ainooson, G.K. (2013). Myorelaxant Effect of an Alcoholic Extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Roots in Rabbit Aortic Strip and Corpus Cavernosum. Pharmacologia.
Amissah F, Duverna R, Aguilar BJ, Poku RA, Lamango NS (2013). Polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase is both sensitive to curcumin and overexpressed in colorectal cancer: implications for chemoprevention and treatment. BioMed research international.
Aguilar B, Amissah F, Duverna R, Lamango NS (2011). Polyisoprenylation potentiates the inhibition of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase and the cell degenerative effects of sulfonyl fluorides. Current cancer drug targets.
Amissah F, Taylor S, Duverna R, Ayuk-Takem LT, Lamango NS (2011). Regulation of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase by polyunsaturated fatty acids and prostaglandins. European journal of lipid science and technology : EJLST.
Woode, E., Amissah, F., Duwiejua, M., Ansah, C., Fleischer, T.C., Sawer, I.K (2008). Effects of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Taub.) Fruit Extract on Some Isolated Tissues: Possible Mechanism(s) of Antihypertensive Action. Journal of Science & Technology.
Fleischer, T.C, Sawer, I.K., Woode, E. (2007). Cardiovascular effects of an alcoholic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Taub) fruit in vitro and in anesthetized rats. The Ghana Pharmaceutical Journal..
Owiredu, W.K.B.A., Nafiu, A, Amissah, F., Woode, E. (2007). The Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Root of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre on Sexual Behavior and Hormonal Levels in Rodents. Journal of Science & Technology.
Credentials, Certifications & Awards
Graduate Travel Award to 2013 EB Conference (Boston, MA)
1st Prize Eli Lilly Award in Biological Science
Graduate Travel Award to 2012 EB Conference (San Diego, CA)
Graduate Travel Award to 2012 AACR Annual Conference (Chicago, Il)
Dr. Israel Tribble, Jr. Award - for demonstrating excellent academic knowledge and communication to enhance the African-American Community
3rd Prize Award in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Graduate Travel Award to 2011 EB Conference (Washington, DC)
Graduate Travel Award to 2010 EB Conference (Anaheim, CA)
Graduate Students' Research Awards Program 2012 – a six-month grant awarded based on merit to support doctoral dissertation research.
1st Prize Eli Lilly Award in Biological Science
Graduate Travel Award to 2012 EB Conference (San Diego, CA)
Graduate Travel Award to 2012 AACR Annual Conference (Chicago, Il)
Dr. Israel Tribble, Jr. Award - for demonstrating excellent academic knowledge and communication to enhance the African-American Community
3rd Prize Award in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Graduate Travel Award to 2011 EB Conference (Washington, DC)
Graduate Travel Award to 2010 EB Conference (Anaheim, CA)
Graduate Students' Research Awards Program 2012 – a six-month grant awarded based on merit to support doctoral dissertation research.
Education
Ph.D., Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee
B.Pharm, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
M.Phil., Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
B.Pharm, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
M.Phil., Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Membership in Professional Organizations
American Association of Cancer Research
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
American Association of Pharmaceutical Science
University Teachers Association of Ghana
Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana
American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
Michigan Physiological Society
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
American Association of Pharmaceutical Science
University Teachers Association of Ghana
Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana
American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
Michigan Physiological Society