About
About information about Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Benter.
About
Birth & Early Life
Born in Nicosia. Following primary school, he completed his middle and high school studies at Türk Maarif College, one of Cyprus's most established educational institutions. In his youth, he stepped into tennis at the Nicosia Tennis Club courts with his father Fadıl Benter and grew up to be a successful tennis player.
USA Period & Academic Rise
He graduated from the University of Florida Department of Chemistry in 1985. He completed graduate studies at New York Medical College and received his PhD from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1991. After completing his fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation's Department of Brain and Vascular Research, he worked at Wake Forest University's Hypertension Research Center. In 1994, he joined the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and College of Optometry as Assistant Professor, and later Associate Professor.
Kuwait, Oxford & Nobel Collaboration
He served as Professor, Department Chairman, and in various administrative roles at the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University. In the 2012-2013 academic year, he conducted research at the Oxford University Department of Pharmacology. He collaborated in research with Nobel Laureates Professor Sir John Vane and Professor Sir Martin Evans.
Cyprus Evkaf Administration Leadership
He served as General Director of the Cyprus Evkaf Administration for 10 years. Under Benter's leadership, Evkaf's annual charity budget increased from £2,000 to £2,000,000, achieving historic growth. He launched the "İyilik Gönüllüleri" (Kindness Volunteers) project to inspire youth to perform unconditional acts of kindness regardless of religion, language, or race.
Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy
Since 2024, he continues his academic leadership as the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Final International University, mentoring future pharmacists.
Scientific Discovery & Medical Impact
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Benter's most prominent discovery is the protective hormone Angiotensin-(1-7) within the renin-angiotensin system. Currently, 22 clinical trials are active in the US to test the clinical benefits of this hormone for cardiovascular, kidney, diabetes, and cancer therapies. Benter is recognized as the most prolific author in the world in this field.
Social Services & Foundation Work
During his student years in the US, he founded the Turkish Cypriot Student Association of America in New York. He established a school and a sports center in Memphis, helping local youth gain admission to prestigious universities like Harvard. He voluntarily gave science and tennis lessons, steering youth away from harmful habits.
COVID-19 Advice & ACE2
Based on Benter's recommendations, the first therapeutic drugs for COVID-19 were developed targeting the inhibition of the ACE2 receptor. You can view the interviews via the videos below: