Carolyn Ekpruke

Assistant Professor of Biology

I Serve in...

Biology, Environmental Science & Sustainable Development Department

Education

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Human Physiology / Cell & Molecular Biology),
  Indiana University Bloomington
• PhD, Human Physiology (Cardiorespiratory Physiology), University of Benin
• MSc, Human Physiology (Endocrinology), University of Benin
• BSc, Human Physiology (Cardiovascular Physiology), University of Ilorin

Career Accomplishments

• Over 16 years of combined research and teaching experience in human physiology, with strong expertise in cell and molecular biology as applied to respiratory, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems.
• Extensive research experience investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying lung inflammation, including gene expression profiling, nuclear receptor signaling, immunometabolism, and microbiome–host interactions.
• Authored over 26 peer-reviewed publications with additional manuscripts under review.
• Recipient of national and international awards, including the American Physiological Society-Physiological genomics Excellence in Research Award, Usha Award for outstanding contributions to respiratory physiology, and NIH Women’s Health Initiative Scholar recognition.
• Secured research funding, including an Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute Postdoctoral Grant.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring cell and molecular biology–integrated physiology, curriculum development, undergraduate and graduate research supervision, journal peer review, and national and international scientific service.

Featured Publications

Sex, Hormones, and Lung Health
Physiological Reviews, January 1, 2026, Vol. 106(1), pp. 53–86.
Silveyra P., Babayev M., Ekpruke C.D.

The Role of Estrogen Receptors in Lung Diseases
American Journal of Physiology – Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, February 1, 2026, Vol. 330(2), pp. L159–L168.
Ekpruke C.D., Silveyra P.

Sex-Specific Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Ketogenic Diet in a Mouse Model of Allergic Airway Inflammation
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025, Vol. 26(7), Article 3046.
Ekpruke C.D., Borges-Sosa O., Hassel C.A., et al.

Transcriptomics Analysis of Allergen-Induced Inflammatory Gene Expression in the Four-Core Genotype Mouse Model
Physiological Genomics, 2024, Vol. 56(2), pp. 235–245.
Ekpruke C.D., Alford R., Rousselle D., et al.
(APSelect Article)

Gonadal Sex and Chromosome Complement Influence the Gut Microbiome in a Mouse Model of Allergic Airway Inflammation
Physiological Genomics, 2024.
Ekpruke C.D., Alford R.R., Parker E., Silveyra P.

Sex-Specific Alterations in the Gut and Lung Microbiome of Allergen-Induced Mice
Frontiers in Allergy, 2024, Article 1451846.
Ekpruke C.D., Alford R., Rousselle D., et al.

About

Dr. Carolyn Damilola Ekpruke is a human physiologist and cell and molecular biologist whose work focuses on understanding how biological sex influences lung health and disease. She is passionate about teaching, mentoring students, and helping learners connect foundational biological concepts to real-world health challenges. She teaches Cell and Molecular Biology and associated laboratory courses, where students explore the complexity of life and the beauty of God’s creation in a Christ-centered learning environment.

Dr. Ekpruke and her family moved to the United States from Nigeria four years ago and have been living in Bloomington, Indiana. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her children making music, singing together, and cooking for her family.