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About

Dr Francis Tanam Djankpa is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences in the College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast. He doubles as Head of the Department of Physiology and the Chairman of the School of Medical Sciences Research Committee.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology (First Class Honors) from the University of Ghana, Legon, which he obtained in 2005. Owing to his passion and zeal to learn more about the functions of the body systems in humans, he proceeded to the University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry (Korle-Bu) to study for an MPhil in Physiology and completed it in 2009.

His seasoned teaching and research experience started in March 2010 when he was first appointed as a Lecturer to teach Human Physiology to undergraduate medical students at the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences. With a growing passion to unravel the mysteries of the human body focusing on the Nervous System, he successfully enrolled in the Neuroscience Programme at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Maryland, USA in 2012, where he obtained his PhD in Neurosciences in 2018. Since then, he returned to the University of Cape Coast and has been teaching Physiology and Neuroscience modules at the School of Medical Sciences to undergraduate medical students. Furthermore, Dr Djankpa supervises and mentors students at the University of Cape Coast while mentoring and supporting young Ghanaian graduates who have neuroscience aspirations by exposing them to molecular and cellular research to give them a strong grounding for further studies in this field. 

Dr Djankpa doubles as a Physiologist and a Neuroscientist with a keen research interest centering around the effects of environmental toxins on brain development and body functions; the environmental and occupational health of workers in pollution-prone industries; the effect of traditional head molding on brain development in infants; the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders and the effect of cerebral malaria infection on brain function. He is the lead investigator at the Department of Physiology Research Laboratory, which he established in 2018. The Laboratory focuses mainly on multidisciplinary research including Neuroscience Research. 

Dr Djankpa is happily married to Mrs. Gladys Djankpa and they have three (3) children. 

Focus & expertise

Recent activity

📅
Conference Oct 2021

15th Biennial Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) Meeting

📅
Conference Jul 2021

13th Teaching Tools Workshop in Neuroscience

📅
Conference Jul 2019

13th IBRO Canadian School of Neuroscience

📅
Conference Jul 2019

13th Canadian Association of Neuroscience Meeting

📅
Conference Nov 2017

Nanosymposium at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting

Background

🎓 Education & qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience

University of Maryland

2017

Master of Philosophy in Human Physiology

University of Ghana

2009

Intercalated Bachelor of Science in Zoology

University of Ghana

2005

Career & positions

Head of Department

Department of Physiology

until Aug, 2024

Head of Department

Department of Physiology

Aug, 2024 to Aug, 2025

Teaching & projects

My goal is to stimulate learning interests by encouraging students to transform and reflect on instructional content to make meaning out of it by a way of self-directed learning. My philosophy of teaching is the Learner-Centered-Teaching Approach, as inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s saying, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn”. I believe engaging students to learn by teaching themselves, undertaking exercises of problem-solving and capstone experiences, they can synthesize and demonstrate mastery of content. Consistently throughout the teaching and learning process, I employ self-evaluation, peer-review, and transfer of learning assessment techniques to modify teaching and learning activities. I am successful in achieving a positive outcome of work which helps to build a good rapport between myself and the students and improves overall student performance through giving constructive and timely feedback on students' activities or actions. As an educator of physiology and neuroscience, I endeavor to guide my students in understanding principles at molecular and cellular structural levels of human physiology and neurosciences and the relationship between these structures and human functioning. I utilize tools of this digital era in making teaching and learning resources easily accessible to students via innovative and stress-free means that encourage effective initiatives in learning. Over the years, I have held unto my ideal teaching philosophy of rekindling the interest of learning in students, whiles continuously improving my techniques that enrich teaching content as the data informs according to modern trends. I strongly believe effective learning is achievable by using active, cooperative, and integrated teaching and learning systems that put my students at the center. 

Teaching philosophy

Publications 37 works

ORCID 0000-0002-0924-0364 →

2026

A Mathematical Model of Hepatitis B Virus‐Liver Cancer Coexistence Dynamics With Immune Response and Treatment

Paul Chataa, Samuel Naandam, Francis Tanam Djankpa

Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society · Article · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Between myelination and synaptogenesis; A study of brain responses among school children

Francis Tanam Djankpa

SSRN Electronic Journal · Preprint · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

2025

Associations between green tea drinking and body mass index, serum lipid profile and prostate-specific antigen in a Ghanaian population: a cross-sectional study

Emmanuel Amankwah Ntim, Samuel Nyamekye, Kofi Oduro Yeboah, Rufai Safianu et al.

BMC Nutrition · Article · Source: OpenAlex

Compliance with standard precaution protocols among healthcare workers at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital, Ghana

Augustine Anane Oppong, Gordon Kyei, Isaiah Kofi Arhin, Abdala Mumuni Ussif et al.

Environmental Disease · Article · Source: OpenAlex

Prior Knowledge of Epilepsy Predicts Positive Attitudes and Practices Toward Persons Living With Epilepsy

Nana Ama Otua Otabil, Abdala Mumuni Ussif, Francis Tanam Djankpa, Kwasi Agyen‐Mensah et al.

Brain and Behavior · Article · Source: OpenAlex

2024

Survival trends for left and right sided colon cancer using population‐based SEER database: A forty‐five‐year analysis from 1975 to 2019

Mark B. Ulanja, Kwabena O. Asafo-Agyei, Vijay Neelam, Bryce D. Beutler et al.

Cancer Medicine · Article · 13 citations · Source: OpenAlex

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection among treatment-naive persons living with HIV in Ghana

Emmanuel Salia, Yvonne Ayerki Nartey, Francis Tanam Djankpa, Faustina Pappoe et al.

PLoS ONE · Article · 6 citations · Source: OpenAlex

Characteristics and antiviral treatment eligibility of patients diagnosed with hepatitis B at a teaching hospital in Ghana: Implications for prevention and management

Joseph P. Daniels, Yvonne Ayerki Nartey, Francis Tanam Djankpa, Jacques Simporè et al.

PLoS ONE · Article · 1 citation · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Perception of Alcohol Use and Alcohol Use Disorder among persons involved in Road Accidents at an Emergency Department

Eugene Kobla Dordoye, Kwame Ofori Affram, Emmanuel Dziwornu, Frempomaa, Danso Abigail et al.

PubMed · Article · 1 citation · Source: OpenAlex

Ratios of Prostate-Specific Antigen to Albumin, C-reactive Protein, and Haemoglobin Concentration are Valuable Markers to Predict Patients with Either Prostate Cancer or Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

Yaw Adjei Mensah-Bonsu, Kwaku Addai Arhin Appiah, Victor Dedjoe, Francis Tanam Djankpa et al.

Research Square · Preprint · 1 citation · Source: OpenAlex

Association Between Green Tea Drinking with Body Mass Index, Serum Lipid Profile and Prostate Specific-Antigen in a Ghanaian Population: A Cross- Sectional Study

Emmanuel Amankwah Ntim, Samuel Nyamekye, Kofi Oduro Yeboah, Rufai Safianu et al.

Research Square · Preprint · Source: OpenAlex

Characteristics and antiviral treatment eligibility of newly diagnosed hepatitis B patients at a teaching hospital in Ghana: Implications for prevention and management

Joseph P. Daniels, Yvonne Ayerki Nartey, Francis Tanam Djankpa, Jacques Simporè et al.

medRxiv · Preprint · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

The role of interleukin-10 in immune response to hepatitis B virus and liver cancer co-existence dynamics

Paul Chataa, Samuel M. Naandam, Francis Tanam Djankpa

medRxiv · Preprint · Source: OpenAlex

2023

Dynamics of pre-shift and post-shift lung function parameters among wood workers in Ghana

John Ekman, Philip Quartey, Abdala Mumuni Ussif, Niklas Ricklund et al.

Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine · Article · 4 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Assessing knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 among traders and sanitary workers in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

Abdala Mumuni Ussif, Daniel Lawer Egbenya, Joseph D Kusi, Emmanuel Nyarko et al.

Journal of Global Health Reports · Article · 3 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

The impact of COVID ‐19 on mortality, length of stay, and cost of care among patients with gastrointestinal malignancies: A propensity score‐matched analysis

Mark B. Ulanja, Bryce D. Beutler, Kwabena O. Asafo-Agyei, Samuel Governor et al.

Cancer Medicine · Article · 3 citations · Source: OpenAlex

Assessing the vibration perception threshold in a community sample of adult Ghanaians

Francis Tanam Djankpa, Albert Amoah, Festus Komla Adzaku, Eric Aidoo et al.

PLoS ONE · Article · 1 citation · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Survival trends for left and right sided colon cancer using the population-based SEER database: A 45-year analysis from 1975 to 2019.

Mark B. Ulanja, Kwabena O. Asafo-Agyei, Bryce D Buetler, Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng et al.

Journal of Clinical Oncology · Conference-abstract · Source: OpenAlex

The impact of COVID-19 on mortality, length of stay, and cost of care among patients with gastrointestinal malignancies: A propensity score-matched analysis.

Mark B. Ulanja, Bryce D. Beutler, Samuel Governor, Kwabena O. Asafo-Agyei et al.

Journal of Clinical Oncology · Conference-abstract · Source: OpenAlex

2022

Race, age, and sex differences on the influence of obesity on colorectal cancer sidedness and mortality: A national cross‐sectional study

Mark B. Ulanja, Carnot Ntafam, Bryce D. Beutler, Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng et al.

Journal of Surgical Oncology · Article · 19 citations · Source: OpenAlex

Prognostic Factors and Survival in Gastrointestinal Extrapulmonary Small Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Mark B. Ulanja, Bryce D. Beutler, Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng, Samuel Governor et al.

Annals of Surgical Oncology · Article · 5 citations · Source: OpenAlex

ASO Author Reflections: Prognostic Factors in Gastrointestinal Extrapulmonary Small Cell Carcinoma Using Real-World Data

Mark B. Ulanja, Bryce D. Beutler, Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng, Samuel Governor et al.

Annals of Surgical Oncology · Article · 1 citation · Source: OpenAlex

ASO Visual Abstract: Prognostic Factors and Survival in Gastrointestinal Extrapulmonary Small Cell Carcinoma—A Retrospective Cohort Study

Mark B. Ulanja, Bryce D. Beutler, Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng, Samuel Governor et al.

Annals of Surgical Oncology · Article · 1 citation · Source: OpenAlex

2021

Expression of GFAP and Tau Following Blast Exposure in the Cerebral Cortex of Ferrets

Susan C. Schwerin, Mitali Chatterjee, Elizabeth Hutchinson, Francis Tanam Djankpa et al.

Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology · Article · 34 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Effects of in utero exposure to monosodium glutamate on locomotion, anxiety, depression, memory and KCC2 expression in offspring

Robert Peter Biney, Francis Tanam Djankpa, Silas Acheampong Osei, Daniel Lawer Egbenya et al.

International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience · Article · 14 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Assessment of corn starch as substitute for agarose in DNA gel electrophoresis

Francis Tanam Djankpa, Gideon Akuamoah Wiafe, Bernard Ntim Boateng, Korantema Mawuena Tsegah et al.

BMC Research Notes · Article · 5 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Assessment of lung function and pulmonary disorders among women involved in palm kernel oil processing in Cape Coast, Ghana

Daniel Acquah, Francis Tanam Djankpa, Josephine Afful, Oscar Agyemang Opoku et al.

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health · Article · 1 citation · Source: OpenAlex

Cranial molding on neonates in Ghana: mothers’ perspective and their knowledge on potential harm to babies’ brain

Francis Tanam Djankpa, Mark B. Ulanja, Ellen Ola, Kevin Yartey et al.

Child s Nervous System · Article · 1 citation · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Second primary malignancies in patients with melanoma in situ: Insights from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program

Mark B. Ulanja, Bryce D. Beutler, Daniel Antwi‐Amoabeng, Philip R Cohen et al.

Cancer Epidemiology · Article · 1 citation · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

2020

Activin and inhibin signaling: From regulation of physiology to involvement in the pathology of the female reproductive system

Enoch Appiah Adu‐Gyamfi, Francis Tanam Djankpa, William Nelson, Armin Czika et al.

Cytokine · Article · 57 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Ephrin and Eph receptor signaling in female reproductive physiology and pathology†

Enoch Appiah Adu‐Gyamfi, Armin Czika, Tai‐Hang Liu, Philip Narteh Gorleku et al.

Biology of Reproduction · Article · 26 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Assessment of Corn Starch as Substitute for Agarose in DNA Gel Electrophoresis

Francis Tanam Djankpa, Gideon Akuamoah Wiafe, Bernard Ntim Boateng, Korantema Mawuena Tsegah et al.

Research Square · Preprint · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

2019

Racial Disparity in Incidence and Survival for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs): an Analysis of SEER Database

Mark B. Ulanja, Mohit Rishi, Bryce D. Beutler, Kenneth G. Konam et al.

Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities · Article · 32 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

The effect of Zika virus infection in the ferret

Elizabeth Hutchinson, Mitali Chatterjee, Laura D. Reyes, Francis Tanam Djankpa et al.

The Journal of Comparative Neurology · Article · 12 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

KCC2 Manipulation Alters Features of Migrating Interneurons in Ferret Neocortex

Francis Tanam Djankpa, Fritz W. Lischka, Mitali Chatterjee, Sharon L. Juliano

Cerebral Cortex · Article · 3 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

2018

Distribution and Cellular Localization of KCC2 in the Ferret Neocortex

Francis Tanam Djankpa, Oluwole B. Akinola, Sharon L. Juliano

Developmental Neuroscience · Article · 3 citations · Source: OpenAlex + ORCID

Undated

Assessment of lung function and pulmonary disorders among women involved in palm kernel oil processing in Cape Coast, Ghana

Journal article · Source: ORCID

OpenAlex updated 10 Sep 2026

Engagements

📅 Conferences attended

2021 15th Biennial Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) Meeting Oral Presenter in Nanosymposium · Accra, Ghana
2021 13th Teaching Tools Workshop in Neuroscience Teacher and Mentor · Accra, Ghana
2019 13th IBRO Canadian School of Neuroscience Participant · Montreal, Canada
2019 13th Canadian Association of Neuroscience Meeting Poster Presenter · Toronto, Canada
2017 Nanosymposium at the Society for Neuroscience Meeting Participant and Oral Presenter · Washington DC
2016 Society for Neuroscience Meeting Participant and Poster Presenter · San Diego, USA.
2015 Society for Neuroscience Meeting Participant and Poster Presenter · Washington DC
2011 4th Teaching Tools Workshop in Neurosciences and Learner Centered Teaching Pedagogy Local Organizer and Teaching Assistant · Cape Coast, Ghana
2010 3rd Teaching Tools Workshop in Neurosciences and Learner Centered Teaching Pedagogy Participant · Nairobi, Kenya
2010 1st Annual Society of Neuroscientists of Africa Conference Participant · Nairobi, Kenya
2010 Problem-Based Learning Workshop organized by the School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast Participant · Cape Coast, Ghana
2008 Workshop on “Guide to Grant Proposal Writing” Participant · College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Ghana
2007 1st Annual Scientific Conference of the College of Health Sciences Participant, and Oral Presenter · University of Ghana, Ghana

Colleagues & frequently viewed together

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