Andrew E . Ekpenyong, MS, PhD

Associate Professor

Physics

A Ekpenyong

Contact

AndrewEkpenyong@creighton.edu
College of Arts and Sciences
Graduate School
Medical Physics (Master of Science)
Physics (Master of Science)
Physics
African Studies
Hixson Lied Science Building G71

Andrew E . Ekpenyong, MS, PhD

Associate Professor

Physics

Fr Andrew Ekpenyong joined the Physics Department as a faculty member in 2014. He teaches Quantum Mechanics, General Physics, Nuclear Instruments and Methods, Biological Physics and  Medical Physics courses such as Dosimetry. Fr Andrew also coordinates the undergraduate teaching laboratories. His research is at the interface of physics and biomedicine with a translational focus. For instance, he has developed microfluidic mimetics enabling in vitro modelling of the human pulmonary microcirculation with potential impact on the clinical management of lung diseases and inflammatory disorders. He established and runs the Translational Biomedical Physics Research Group (TBP) (see https://physicsweb.creighton.edu/content/translational-biomedical-physics-research-group).  A Creighton alumnus, Fr Andrew earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK, and did postdoctoral work at Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany.

Teaching Interests

  • Medical Physics (didactic and research)

Research Focus

Almost all the vital signs are biophysical properties: blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature, etc. With collaborators from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, the School of Medicine, Creighton University, as well as international collaborators in the UK and Germany, I develop and use novel biophysical tools to discover new biomarkers that provide diagnostic information and new therapeutic options. I address the physician’s wish list in order to improve disease diagnosis, patient monitoring, drug development and testing, etc. While these efforts seek to improve biomedicine using principles and tools of physics, I also aim at advancing the physics of complex systems such as living matter. In particular, I seek to understand how biological cells function as mechanical units, with material properties.

Department

Physics

Position

Associate Professor

Books

  • Ekpenyong Andrew E., Introduction to Medical Physics Certification 2027
  • Ekpenyong Andrew E, Introduction to Medical Physics Certification : Teaching and Learning Preparation, Volume Two 2026
  • Ekpenyong Andrew E., Mathematical physics for nuclear experiments 2022

Book, Chapter/Section

  • Mathematical Physics for Nuclear Experiments
    Ekpenyong Andrew E, Energy Loss of Heavy Charged Particles through Matter [Book Chapter] 2022
  • Mathematical Physics for Nuclear Experiments
    Ekpenyong Andrew E, Radioactivity and Decay Law [Book Chapter] 2022
  • Mathematical Physics for Nuclear Experiments
    Ekpenyong Andrew E, Energy Loss of Electrons and Positrons through Matter [Book Chapter] 2022
  • Mathematical Physics for Nuclear Experiments
    Ekpenyong Andrew E, Interactions of Photons in Matter [Book Chapter] 2022
  • Mathematical Physics for Nuclear Experiments
    Ekpenyong Andrew E, Probability and Statistics for Nuclear Experimental Data [Book Chapter] 2022
  • Methods in Molecular Biology
    Djam Kimal Honour, Lee Bong Han, Suresh Sindhuja, Ekpenyong Andrew Edet, Quantum Dots for Assessment of Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation During Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy [Book Chapter] 2020
  • Methods in Cell Biology
    Schurmann M., Scholze J., Muller P., Chan C. J., Ekpenyong Andrew E., Chalut K. J., Guck J., Refractive index measurements of single, spherical cells using digital holographic microscopy [Book Chapter] 2015

General

  • Lee Bong H., Ekpenyong Andrew, Suresh Sindhuja, Fluorescence intensity modulation of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots assesses reactive oxygen species during chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer cells 2019
  • Ekpenyong Andrew E., Bryant Clare E., Man Si Ming, Achouri Sarra, Guck Jochen, Chalut Kevin J., Bacterial infection of macrophages induces decrease in refractive index 2013

Publications

  • Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
    Austin Jackie, Ekpenyong Andrew Edet, Djam Kimal Honour, Lee Bong Han, Suresh Sindhuja, Quantum Dots for Assessment of ROS Accumulation During Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, and Chemoradiotherapy
    3025, p. 195 - 209 2026
  • Micromachines (Basel)
    Abraham Ashley, Ekpenyong Andrew, Virdi Sukhman, Herrero Nick, Bryant Israel, Nwakama Chisom, McCuddin Mackenzie, McKinley Spencer, Taylor Adam, Jacob Megha, Khaparde Gargee, Jordan Destiny, Peeples Conner, Microfluidic Microcirculation Mimetic for Exploring Biophysical Mechanisms of Chemotherapy-Induced Metastasis
    14:9, p. 1653 2023
  • Life (Basel, Switzerland)
    McKinley Spencer, Peeples Conner, Taylor Adam, Jacob Megha, Ekpenyong Andrew, Khaparde Gargee, Walter Yohan, Simulated Microgravity-Induced Changes to Drug Response in Cancer Cells Quantified Using Fluorescence Morphometry
    13:8, p. 1683 2023
  • Biomedicines
    Walter Yohan, Salas Olivia, Jordan Destiny, Ekpenyong Andrew, Jank Erika, Hubbard Anne, Benoit Allie, Development of In Vitro Assays for Advancing Radioimmunotherapy against Brain Tumors
    10:8 2022
  • Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
    Asuquo Marcus Inyama, Ameh Soter, Gbotosho Oluwabukola, Otu Akaninyene, Toepfner Nicole, Bhayankaram Sruti Prathivadhi, Zetocha Noah, Nwakama Chisom, Egbe William, Ekpenyong Andrew, Effa Emmanuel, Guck Jochen, Microfluidic Microcirculation Mimetic as a Tool for the Study of Rheological Characteristics of Red Blood Cells in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia
    12:9 2022
  • Biophysical journal
    Virdi Sukhman, Bryant Israel, Herrero Nicholas, Jordan Destiny, Abraham Ashley, Khaparde Gargee, Jacob Megha, Nwakama Chisom, Ekpenyong Andrew E., The role of cell mechanics in chemotherapy-induced metastasis
    121:3, p. 266a - 266a 2022
  • Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports
    Merrick Michael, Mimlitz Michael J., Weeder Catherine, Akhter Haris, Bamesberger Joe, Bray Allie, Walther Andrew, Nwakama Chisom, Djam Honour, Abid Kaamil, Ekpenyong Andrew, In vitro radiotherapy and chemotherapy alter migration of brain cancer cells before cell death
    27 2021
  • Pharmaceutical Research
    Palliyage Gayathri Heenatigala, Tiwari Amit K., Hussein Noor, Mimlitz Michael, Weeder Catherine, Alnasser Marya Hassan A., Singh Somnath, Ekpenyong Andrew, Chauhan Harsh, Novel Curcumin-Resveratrol Solid Nanoparticles Synergistically Inhibit Proliferation of Melanoma Cells
    38:5, p. 851 - 871 2021
  • Biophysical journal
    Abraham Ashley, Nwakama Chisom, McCuddin Mackenzie, Jacob Megha, Lewison Jack, Khaparde Gargee, Baumel Scott, Mckinley Spencer, Virdi Sukhman, Jordan Destiny, Ekpenyong Andrew E., Kramer Harry, Which Chemotherapy Drugs Alter Cell Mechanical Properties with Impact on Metastasis?
    120:3, p. 66a - 66a 2021
  • Pan African Medical Journal
    Otu Akaninyene, Maxwell Nicholas, Ekpenyong Andrew, Umoh Victor, Effa Emmanuel, Private sector initiatives to tackle the burden of covid-19
    38 2021
  • Life
    Prasanth Devika, Suresh Sindhuja, Prathivadhi-Bhayankaram Sruti, Mimlitz Michael, Zetocha Noah, Lee Bong, Ekpenyong Andrew, Microgravity modulates effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on cancer cell migration
    10:9, p. 1 - 11 2020
  • Nature Methods
    Wu Pei Hsun, Aroush Dikla Raz Ben, Asnacios Atef, Sokolov Igor, Poh Yeh Chuin, Ros Robert, Sander Mathias, Staunton Jack R., Wang Ning, Whyte Graeme, Wirtz Denis, Chen Wei Chiang, Dokukin Maxim E., Doss Bryant L., Durand-Smet Pauline, Moore Nicole M., Ekpenyong Andrew, Guck Jochen, Guz Nataliia V., Janmey Paul A., Lee Jerry S.H., Ott Albrecht, A comparison of methods to assess cell mechanical properties
    15:7, p. 491 - 498 2018
  • Biophysical journal
    Ekpenyong Andrew E., Abid Kaamil, Han Lee Bong, Mimlitz Michael, Zetocha Noah, Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Mechanosensitivity of Single Cells
    114:3, p. 514 - 514a 2018
  • Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences
    Ikpeme Anthonia, Effa Emmanuel, Kosoko-Lasaki Omofolasade, Ani Nchiewe, Ago Boniface, Ekpenyong Andrew, The value of mobile ultrasound services in rural communities in South-South Nigeria
    5:7, p. 1011 - 1015 2017
  • Science Advances
    Ekpenyong Andrew E., Summers Charlotte, Toepfner Nicole, Herbig Maik, Guck Jochen, Chilvers Edwin R., Li Wenhong, Cojoc Gheorghe, Fiddler Christine, Mechanical Deformation Induces Depolarization of Neutrophils
    3:6, p. e1602536 - e1602536 2017
  • Biophysical journal
    Prasanth Devika, Zetocha Noah, Suresh Sindhuja, Mimlitz Michael, Ekpenyong Andrew E., Microgravity Modulates Drug-Induced Enhancement of Cancer Cell Migration
    112:3, p. 311a - 311a 2017
  • Biophysical Journal
    Prathivadhi-Bhayankaram Sruti V., Nichols Michael, Guck Jochen, Ekpenyong Andrew E., Ning Jianhao, Mimlitz Michael, Taylor Carolyn, Gross Erin, Chemotherapy impedes in vitro microcirculation and promotes migration of leukemic cells with impact on metastasis
    112:3, p. 124a - 124a 2017
  • Biophysical journal
    Prathivadhi-Bhayankaram Sruti V., Taylor Carolyn E., Ning Jianhao, Nichols Michael, Ekpenyong Andrew E., Cell Mechanical Properties and Cancer Metastasis: Effects of Cancer Drugs and Radiotherapy
    110:3, p. 621a - 621a 2016
  • Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
    Prathivadhi-Bhayankaram Sruti, Ning Jianhao, Mimlitz Michael, Taylor Carolyn, Gross Erin M., Nichols Michael G., Guck Jochen, Ekpenyong Andrew E., Chemotherapy Impedes in Vitro Microcirculation and Promotes Migration of Leukemic Cells with Impact on Metastasis
    479:4, p. 841 - 846 2016
  • Biochimica et Biophysica Acta
    Ekpenyong Andrew E., Chilvers E. R., Guck J., Toepfner N., Mechanotransduction in neutrophil activation and deactivation, p. (12 pages) 2015
  • Biophysical Journal
    Chan Chii J., Ekpenyong Andrew E., Golfier Stefan, Li Wenhong, Chalut Kevin J., Otto Oliver, Elgeti Jens, Guck Jochen, Lautenschläger Franziska, Myosin II activity softens cells in suspension
    108:8, p. 1856 - 1869 2015
  • Nature Methods
    Otto O., Klaue D., Mietke A., Golfier S., Herold C., Rosendahl P., Jacobi A., Girardo S., Pagliara S., Ekpenyong Andrew E., Wobus M., Topfner N., Keyser U. F., . . . Guck, J., Real-time deformability cytometry: on-the-fly cell mechanical phenotyping
    12:3, p. 199 - 202 2015
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
    Man Si Ming, Ng Gilbert, Wright John A., Achouri Sarra, Cicuta Pietro, Guck Jochen R., Bryant Clare E., Ekpenyong Andrew, Tourlomousis Panagiotis, Cammarota Eugenia, Hughes Katherine, Rizzo Alessandro, Actin polymerization as a key innate immune effector mechanism to control Salmonella infection
    111:49, p. 17588 - 17593 2014
  • Interface Focus
    Holmes David, Ekpenyong Andrew, Whyte Graeme, Bailey Joe, Vergara-Irigaray Nuria, Guck Jochen, Duke Tom, Separation of blood cells with differing deformability using deterministic lateral displacement
    4:6 2014
  • Biophysical journal
    Ekpenyong Andrew, Guck Jochen, The Evolution of Mechanical Properties of Differentiating Stem Cells is Fate- and Function-Dependent
    106:2, p. 42a - 42a 2014
  • Acta Mechanica
    Boyde Lars, Guck Jochen, Whyte Graeme, Ekpenyong Andrew, Elastic theory for the deformation of a solid or layered spheroid under axisymmetric loading
    224:4, p. 819 - 839 2013
  • Biophysical Journal
    Chalut Kevin J., Ekpenyong Andrew, Höpfler Markus, Lautenschläger Franziska, Boyde Lars, Chan Chii Jou, Martinez-Arias Alfonso, Guck Jochen, Chromatin decondensation and nuclear softening accompany Nanog downregulation in embryonic stem cells
    103:10, p. 2060 - 2070 2012
  • Applied Optics
    Boyde Lars, Ekpenyong Andrew, Whyte Graeme, Guck Jochen, Comparison of stresses on homogeneous spheroids in the optical stretcher computed with geometrical optics and generalized lorenz–mie theory
    51:33, p. 7934 - 7944 2012
  • PloS one
    Ekpenyong Andrew E., Fiddler Christine, Whyte Graeme, Chalut Kevin, Pagliara Stefano, Lautenschläger Franziska, Paschke Stephan, Keyser Ulrich F., Chilvers Edwin R., Guck Jochen, Viscoelastic Properties of Differentiating Blood Cells Are Fate- and Function-Dependent
    7:9 2012
  • Integrative biology : quantitative biosciences from nano to macro
    Chalut Kevin J., Melhuish Isabel C., Ekpenyong Andrew E., Clegg Warren L., Guck Jochen, Quantifying cellular differentiation by physical phenotype using digital holographic microscopy.
    4:3, p. 280 - 284 2012
  • Journal of Biophotonics
    Jacobs Kenneth M., Ekpenyong Andrew E., Yang Li V., Ding Junhua, Castellone Reid, Lu Jun Q., Hu Xin Hua, Diffraction imaging of spheres and melanoma cells with a microscope objective
    2:8-9, p. 521 - 527 2009
  • Applied Optics
    Ekpenyong Andrew E., Burkart Anya K., Marquardt Meg M., Smith Timothy J., Nichols Michael G., Chaput Joy L., Posey Carolyn L., Determination of cell elasticity through hybrid ray optics and continuum mechanics modeling of cell deformation in the optical stretcher
    48:32, p. 6344 - 6354 2009

Grants

  • AI-Assisted and Microgravity-Enabled 3D Microphysiological Systems for Combined Therapies Against Brain Cancers/Sponsor: University of Nebraska at Omaha/UNO

  • CytoSMART Omni Instrument/Sponsor: State of Nebraska - LB692

  • Physics of Cancer: Role of Cell Mechanics in Chemotherapy-Induced Metastasis/Sponsor: CURAS Magis Investigatio Research Award/MIRA

  • Science in Space to Cure Disease on Earth: Using Simulated Microgravity for Cancer Tissue Engineering/Sponsor: CURAS Magis Investigatio Research Award/MIRA

  • Using Simulated Microgravity for Cancer Tissue Engineering/Sponsor: University of Nebraska at Omaha/UNO

  • Microgravity for 3D Microphysiological Systems in Cancer Therapeutics/Sponsor: University of Nebraska at Omaha/UNO