Foundations of Antiviral Research and African Ethnomedicinal Knowledge

Professor Victor Kuete is a distinguished Cameroonian scientist and Full Professor of Pharmacognosy at the University of Dschang, where he also serves as Director of the Centre for Study, Research, and Development of Natural Resources and Technologies. His career spans over two decades of groundbreaking research in natural product pharmacology, with a particular focus on African medicinal plants as sources of antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer agents. Kuete’s research program emphasizes the mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds, especially against multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes, and has contributed significantly to the global understanding of ethnopharmacology. He has authored more than 500 scientific publications, over 120 book chapters, and several influential books, including Medicinal Plant Research in Africa (2013), Biodiversity, Natural Products and Cancer Treatment (2014), Toxicological Survey of African Medicinal Plants (2014), and African Medicinal Spices and Vegetables (2017). His more recent works, such as African Plants to Fight Bacterial Resistance (2023) and African Plant-Based Products as a Source of Potent Drugs to Overcome Cancers and Their Chemoresistance (2024–2025), further consolidate his reputation as a leading voice in pharmacognosy. Internationally, Kuete has been awarded numerous prestigious fellowships, including TWAS (2007), AUF (2008), DAAD (2009), Alexander von Humboldt (2012–2014, 2015–2018), and Tubitak (2016). These fellowships facilitated collaborations with leading scientists across Europe, Asia, and Africa, strengthening his global research network. His work has been widely cited, with over 26,000 citations and an h-index above 95, placing him among the top 100 African scientists according to the AD Scientific Index. Beyond research, Professor Kuete plays a vital role in mentorship and academic leadership, having supervised dozens of Master’s and PhD theses, many of whose graduates now hold senior academic positions across Africa. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Investigational Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, alongside editorial roles in several international journals, reinforcing his influence in shaping the field of ethnopharmacology and drug discovery. Professor Kuete’s career exemplifies the integration of traditional African medicine with modern pharmacological science, positioning him as a global leader in the search for novel therapeutic agents to address pressing health challenges such as cancer, infectious diseases, and drug resistance.