George Kudolo, Ph.D., is honored for his academic successes as a researcher and teacher.
Printer Friendly Format

SAN ANTONIO (Dec. 11, 2008) — George Kudolo, Ph.D., one of the strongest researchers and educators in the School of Health Professions at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, was honored by being included in the inaugural edition of “Who’s Who in Black San Antonio.” The book was unveiled at a reception held Nov. 24.

Dr. Kudolo is a professor in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and coordinator of the Graduate Toxicology Program. He was among 226 of the city’s most influential Black leaders included in the book.

A fellow in the prestigious National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry, the versatile scientist was honored for his academic achievements. He is widely known for his work with Ginkgo biloba and insulin resistance syndrome. In addition to proving for the first time that the herb can improve blood circulation, he showed that it may be of tremendous benefit to diabetic patients who experience pancreatic exhaustion, a condition in which the gland can no longer produce insulin.

Related story: Researcher discusses Gilkgo biloba and diabetes at international conference

New research involves Ginkgo, Alzheimer’s disease
He continues to study Ginkgo biloba and diabetes, as well as new applications of the herb to Alzheimer’s disease. He is also exploring soy and estrogen replacement therapy, as well as chemical agents in red grapes and their possible effects on cardiovascular disease.

Regarding his selection to “Who’s Who,” Dr. Kudolo said, “I think it is cool to rub shoulders with all these giants of San Antonio. This inaugural edition has all the trailblazers, like Rev. Claude Black, who have been active in San Antonio for many years. It is an honor to be in the same book with them.”

“Dr. Kudolo has been a leader at our university for many years,” said Marilyn Harrington, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Professions. “He is passionate about his science and has a strong mind and vision. As a result, he is well known at the National Institutes of Health and has become a leader across the country. Because of Dr. Kudolo, many bright graduate students have landed jobs in forensic toxicology throughout our region, and the public’s health will benefit from the outcomes of his science.”

The ‘complete scientist’
Born in the African country of Ghana, Dr. Kudolo sought out educational opportunities to quench his natural curiosity. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Science & Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, and a Ph.D. in clinical biochemistry and reproduction from the University of London Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

As a fellow with the World Health Organization in Kenya, he helped develop a primate model to study reproduction. He came to the Health Science Center in 1998 for a post-doctoral fellowship in obstetrics and gynecology, and then studied diabetes with Ralph DeFronzo, M.D., professor and chief of the division of diabetes.

“I pride myself on being a complete scientist,” Dr. Kudolo said. “I like to study many different things to see how they all work together.”

He wrote a chapter about recent Ginkgo biloba research for a new book released in November, "Botanical Medicine in Clinical Practice," edited by Ronald R. Watson & Victor R. Preedy.

Dr. Kudolo’s teaching features ‘CSI’-style case studies
Dr. Kudolo began his teaching career as an assistant professor and Graduate Toxicology coordinator in 1995 during his post-doctoral fellowships. “Having a strong background in clinical chemistry helps me understand all the different lab tests and how they work,” he said. His extensive knowledge helps him incorporate case studies, such as those portrayed in the television program “CSI,” to help his bachelor’s and master’s students better understand how to apply their knowledge to real-world situations.

“I like to pose questions to them so that they can figure it out,” he said. One of his master’s degree students discovered a way to solve mysteries involving drug-related deaths when badly decomposed bodies no longer yield blood for testing.

Graduate students achieve success
“Sixty to 70 percent of the Forensics Toxicology Laboratory staff members at the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office are graduates of our program,” he said. However, the program’s success is also one of its failures. “One of the biggest difficulties we have is keeping our master’s students in the program long enough to graduate,” Dr. Kudolo said. “They are already getting good job offers before they finish.”

Dr. Kudolo also works with youth. He instituted a highly successful hands-on Forensic Toxicology Camp last summer that he plans to offer again in summer 2009.