Biography
Professor Pius Mpiana Tshimankinda is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Industry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Kinshasa, and President of the National Scientific Council of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His research focuses on medicinal chemistry, natural-products chemistry, ethnopharmacology and environmental chemistry, with particular emphasis on the scientific investigation of African medicinal plants.
A major area of his research concerns sickle cell disease. His work has contributed to the identification and isolation of bioactive compounds with anti-sickling properties from medicinal plants, including compounds that have been the subject of international patents. His research has also addressed the development of phytomedicinal and nutraceutical approaches to sickle cell disease, as well as water pollution, sanitation and environmental health. TWAS specifically highlighted these contributions when announcing his election to its 2026 class of Fellows.
Professor Mpiana is a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), elected in 2023, and a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), effective from 2026. He is also a member of the Congolese Academy of Sciences (ACCOS). The African Academy of Sciences notes his longstanding contribution to medicinal-plant research, chemistry and scientific leadership in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
His expertise in medicinal plants, natural-products chemistry, environmental science and scientific institution-building is particularly relevant to Liberia's priorities in biodiversity-based research, laboratory capacity, public health, environmental protection and the development of young scientists.