Apply
MPSK Assistant Professor of Pharmacology

Terefe, Ermias Mergia, PhD., MPSK

Dr. Ermias Mergia Terefe is a registered consultant pharmacist with a PhD and MSc in Pharmacology and a Bachelor of Pharmacy. He is an experienced academic, educator, and curriculum specialist with extensive expertise in health professions education, instructional design, and capacity building. A drug discovery scientist, Dr. Terefe has identified five novel anti-HIV compounds named in his honor, including Ermiasolides A–C, Ermiasoid, and Crotocascarin ω. His research contributions earned him the USIU-Africa Top Open Access Publisher Award (2023/2024). Dr. Terefe currently serves as Program Leader and Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the United States International University–Africa (USIU-Africa), Nairobi, where he also received the Excellence in Teaching Award (2025/2026). As former Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, he led the development of innovative academic programs, including the BSc in Nursing and two specialized MSc programs. He has supervised postgraduate research at MSc and PhD levels and contributed to national health initiatives through advisory roles with the Kenya Ministry of Health and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. Prior to joining USIU-Africa, he held academic, hospital, pharmaceutical industry, and international training roles across Ethiopia and Kenya.
Email Address

eterefe@usiu.ac.ke

Location

Nairobi, Kenya

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

  • The sustainable management of natural resources
  • Plant biochemistry

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

    • PhD in Molecular Pharmacology – University of Nairobi, Kenya
    • MSc in Pharmacology – Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
    • Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
    • Diploma in Pharmacy
    • Postgraduate Diploma in Curriculum Design and Development (PGDCDD)

     

TEACHING

  • NSC 2212 Life, Environment and Society
  • NSC 3304 Biology and the Environment
  • ENV 2000 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
  • ENV 2001 Sustainable Resource Management
  • ENV 3328 Field Studies
  • ENV 3500 Regional Environment
  • ENV 4000 Environmental Economics
  • ENV 3300 Energy Use and Management
  • BOT 3352 Plant Anatomy and Physiology
  • BOT 3353 General Plant Biochemistry and Toxicology

PUBLICATIONS

Articles in referred journals:

  1. Terefe, E. M., & Ghosh, A. (2022). Molecular Docking, Validation, Dynamics Simulations, and Pharmacokinetic Prediction of Phytochemicals Isolated From Croton dichogamus Against the HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase. Bioinformatics and Biology Insights, 16, 1–20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36185760/ (September 26, 2022)
  2. Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Muriuki, J., Rotich, W., Mas-Claret, E., Sadgrove, N., Padilla-González, G. F., Prescott, T. A. K., Siddique, H., & Langat, M. K. (2022). Constituents of Croton megalocarpus with Potential Anti-HIV Activity. Journal of Natural Products. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35709365/ (June 16, 2022)
  3. Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Langat, M. K., Mas-Claret, E., Aljarba, N. H., Alkahtani, S., Batiha, G. E.-S., Ghosh, A., El-Masry, E. A., & Muriuki, J. (2022). In vitro anti-HIV and cytotoxic effects of pure compounds isolated from Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Delile. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 2022 22:1, 22(1), 1–10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35705943/ (June 15, 2022)
  4. Degu, A., Terefe, E. M., Some, E. S., & Tegegne, G. T. (2022). Treatment Outcomes and Its Associated Factors Among Adult Patients with Selected Solid Malignancies at Kenyatta National Hospital: A Hospital-Based Prospective Cohort Study. Cancer Management and Research, 14, 1525–1540. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35498512/ (April 22, 2022)
  5. Ghosh, A., Mukerjee, N., Sharma, B., Pant, A., Kishore Mohanta, Y., Jawarkar, R. D., Bakal, R. L., Terefe, E. M., Batiha, G. E. S., Mostafa-Hedeab, G., Aref Albezrah, N. K., Dey, A., & Baishya, D. (2022). Target Specific Inhibition of Protein Tyrosine Kinase in Conjunction With Cancer and SARS-COV-2 by Olive Nutraceuticals. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35356629/ (March 8, 2022)
  6. Patel, D.M., Terefe E.M., Okeyo. A. (2022). Assessment of Prescribing Practice at Thika Level 5 Hospital. Pharmaceutical Journal of Kenya, 26(1), 24–28 (Link: SC-1.8)
  7. Terefe E. M., Okalebo F. A., Deresse S., Muriuki J., Amuhaya E. K., Munyendo L. W., Janapati Y., Obila J., Mosweta J. (2022). Cytotoxicity and antiretroviral activity of the leaf and stem bark extracts of Croton macrostachyus. Pharmaceutical Journal of Kenya, 26(1), 2022. (Link: SC-1.7)
  8. Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Batiha, G. E.-S., Youssef, A., Alorabi, M., & Muriuki, J. (2022). Cytotoxicity and anti-HIV activities of extracts of the twigs of Croton dichogamus Pax. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 2022 22:1, 22(1), 1–8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35216601/ (February 25, 2022)
  9. Terefe, E. M.; Okalebo, F. A.; Derese, S.; Muriuki, J.; Batiha, G. E.-S. In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Anti-HIV Activity of Crude Extracts of Croton Macrostachyus, Croton Megalocarpus and Croton Dichogamus. J. Exp. Pharmacol. 2021, 13, 971–979. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35221732/ (December 22, 2021)
  10. Mergia E., Terefe G., Teklehaymanot T. and Shibeshi W. (2016). Antitrypanosomal activity of Verbascum sinaiticum Benth. (Scrophulariaceae) against Trypanosoma congolense isolates. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 16:362 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27629546/ (September 15, 2016)
  11. Mergia E., Terefe G., Teklehaymanot T. and Shibeshi W. (2015). Phytochemical screening and in vitro antitrypanosomal activity of aqueous and methanol leaf extract of Clutia abyssinica (Euphorbiaceae) against Trypanosoma congolense. Pharmacologia 6 (3): 79-87 (Link: SC-1.3)
  12. Mergia E, Shibeshi W, Terefe G and Teklehaymanot T. (2014). Phytochemical Screening and in vitro antitrypanosomal activity of aqueous and methanol leaf extract of Verbascum sinaiticum (Scrophulariaceae) against Trypanosoma congolense Field Isolate. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 4:183 doi:10.4172/2161-0681.1000183 Published July 09, 2014 (Link: SC-1.2)
  13. Mergia E., Terefe G., Teklehaymanot T. and Shibeshi W. (2014). Evaluation of in vivo antitrypanosomal activity of aqueous and methanol leaf extracts of Clutia abyssinica (Euphorbiaceae) against Trypanosoma congolense. Natural Products Chemistry and research. 2 (138) Published May 22, 2014 doi:10.4172/2329-6836.1000138 (Link: SC-1.1)

Tertiary level Scholarly books:

  1. Ermias Mergia (2019). Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Pharmacy Students, Lambert academic publishing. ISBN: 978-613-9-46460-9
  2. Ermias Mergia, Zerihun Ayenew (2018). Trainer guide for pharmacy level II-IV programs, Oromia Regional Health bureau and Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.
  3. Ermias Mergia, Worku Bedada, Edao Sado, Getu Melesi (2018). Learning Module: Dispensing of Pharmaceuticals, Oromia Regional Health bureau and Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.
  4. Ermias Mergia, Abay Kasa, Abdurazak Jemal, Biranu Motbaynor, Desalegn Chilo, Worku Bedada, Edao Sado, Getu Melesie, Mustefa Ahmed, Shibiru Tesema, Tesemma Sileshi (2018). Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences. Oromia Regional Health bureau and Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.
  5. Ermias Mergia, Asrat Hordofa, Biranu Motbaynor, Shibiru Tesema (2018). Learning module: Compounding of Pharmaceuticals skill lab manual, Oromia Regional Health bureau and Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.
  6. Ermias Mergia, Worku Bedada, Edao Sado, Getu Melesi (2018). Learning module: Drug supply management, Oromia Regional Health bureau and Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia.

Peer reviewed conference papers:

  1. Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Muriuki, J (2021)). Molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies for antiretreoviral activity of phytochemicals isolated from Croton dichogamus. 7th International electronic conference on Medicinal Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.3390/ECMC2021-11387
  2. Terefe, E. M.; Okalebo, F. A.; Derese, S.; Muriuki, J., (2021). Cytotoxicity and antiretroviral activity of solvent fractions of aerial parts of Croton dichogamus. Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya 41st annual scientific symposium October 25-27, 2021 book of abstracts. pp 46-47.
  3. Patel, D. M., Terefe, E. M., Okeyo A. (2021). Assessment of prescribing practice at Thika level 5 hospital. Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya 41st annual scientific symposium October 25-27, 2021 book of abstracts. pp 26-27.
  4. Mulwa, B. M., Terefe, E.M. (2021). Ethnopharmacological study on medicinal plants used for skin conditions in Mwala sub-county, Kenya. Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya 41st annual scientific symposium October 25-27, 2021 book of abstracts. pp 25-26.
  5. Betty, A. L., Terefe, E. M. (2021). Antibacterial activity of solvent fractions of Croton dichogamus against Vibrio cholerae and Staphylococcus aureus. Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya 41st annual scientific symposium October 25-27, 2021 book of abstracts. pp 23-24.
  6. Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Muriuki, J., Amuhaya, E. K., Munyendo, L. W., Janapati, Y., Obila, J., Mosweta, J. (2021). Cytotoxicity and antiretroviral activity of solvent fractions of leaf and stem bark extracts of Croton macrostachyus. 7th All African Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (ACP2021) | Virtual Meeting September 15-17 2021 ACP-A-08-21-lUxE pp 123.
  7. Ermias Mergia (2019). In-vivo antimalarial efficacy of methanolic leaf extract of Verbascum sinaiticum in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain. 5th international conference in antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in Orlando, Florida May 28-31, 2019
  8. Yasodha Krishna Janapati, Lincoln Munyendo, Njeri Wamae, Ermias Mergia Terefe Evaluation of Sedative and Hypnotic Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Holostemma ada Kodien Schults in Mice. 70th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, New Delhi; India

Scholarly presentation at conference:

  1. Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Muriuki, J (2021). Molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies for antiretreoviral activity of phytochemicals isolated from Croton dichogamus. 7th International electronic conference on Medicinal Chemistry.
  2. Terefe, E. M.; Okalebo, F. A.; Derese, S.; Muriuki, J., (2021). Cytotoxicity and antiretroviral activity of solvent fractions of aerial parts of Croton dichogamus. Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya 41st annual scientific symposium October 25-27, 2021 book of abstracts. pp 46-47.
  3. Terefe, E. M., Okalebo, F. A., Derese, S., Muriuki, J., Amuhaya, E. K., Munyendo, L. W., Janapati, Y., Obila, J., Mosweta, J. (2021). Cytotoxicity and antiretroviral activity of solvent fractions of leaf and stem bark extracts of Croton macrostachyus. 7th All African Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (ACP2021) | Virtual Meeting September 15-17 2021 ACP-A-08-21-lUxE pp 123.
  4. Ermias Mergia, Eliab Some, Amsalu Defersha (2019). Seminar on research Methodology for USIU-Africa Pharmacy Students, June 01, 2019
  5. Ermias Mergia (2019). In-vivo antimalarial efficacy of methanolic leaf extract of Verbascum sinaiticum in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA strain. 5th international conference in antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in Orlando, Florida May 28-31, 2019

Reports and other Publication:

  1. Njeri Wamae, Lincolin Munyendo, Amsalu Defersha, Apolo Maima, Betty Mbatia, Calvin Omolo, Edith Amuhaya, Ermias Mergia Terefe, Peter Njogu (2019). Bachelor of pharmacy attachment manual. United States International University-Africa.
  2. Abebe Kebede, Bekalu Asaminew, Ermias Mergia Terefe (2017) Empowering female health science students in Ethiopia, A case study. Jhpiego-Ethiopia