Dr Ahmed Ali’s interest is in the research and development of novel uses for natural products from Asia and Africa.
Dr Ali works to study the chemistry of plants from the Horn of Africa, particularly frankincense and myrrh from Somalia. He has discovered properties that can be used to treat cancer and arthritis and can also be used as slug repellents.
He has co-authored five international patents based on botanical innovations.
He has received recognition both for his contribution to science and to Welsh society.
1963
Newport, Wales
Welsh born Somali
2018 – nominated as one of 100 outstanding Black Welsh people in Black History Month
2015 – ongoing Consultant Research Director at Compton Group
2015 – 2018 Founder and CEO at International Gums and Oils (IGO) Ltd
2002 – 2015 Research Director at Compton Group
2000 – 2004 – PhD at Cardiff University
2000 – 2002 Research associate Cardiff University
1998 –2000 Senior Analytical Chemist at Vectura, based in Bath
1992-93 -R&D Analytical Chemist at Simbec Research Ltd, Merthyr Tydfil
1990 -92 – Formulation/Stability/Analytical Chemist at Norgine, Hengoed
1998 -90 – Development Analytical Chemist at Warner Lambert/Parke Davis, Pontypool
Born and raised in Newport.
Attended John Moores University in Liverpool where he was awarded a BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry.
Dr Ali’s first invention based on Somali and Ethiopian plants was a slug deterrent, featured on BBC Wales in 2003 and was based on adding Somali myrrh to sawdust.
After graduating from John Moores University in Liverpool, Dr Ali returned to Wales where he worked as a Chemist at various companies. In 2000 he became a research associate at Cardiff University’s School of Biosciences, where he completed his PhD on Molluscicidal Properties of Commiphora spp. Plant extracts against D.reticulatum and H.aspera
He was the founder and CEO of IGO ltd which he described as an innovative botanical product supply company, which also developed new bioactive botanical extracts based on evidence-based research. IGO ltd also provided consultancy services based on Dr Ali’s extensive academic / industrial knowledge of the fragrant oleoresins from the Horn of Africa. The company was listed from 2015-2019.
Dr Ali has served as Research Director/Consultant Research Director at Compton group since 2002 and is still an Honorary Research Fellow with the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University.
In 2018 Dr Ali was included on a list of 100 outstanding black Welsh people, compiled by the Western Mail for Black History Month. He described his inclusion as an honour, acknowledged the contribution of several colleagues, and said that “I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Compton Group, a Welsh SME that has sponsored my research over the past 18 years.”
In 2021 Dr Ali was interviewed by the BBC, who described him as a world-leading expert in Somali frankincense and described his work in developing drugs to treat various conditions, from cancer to wrinkles.
“We discovered that when you extract a variety of the Somali frankincense, you can use it to mitigate metastasis of cancer cells invitro. That is, you can stop the cancer from spreading,” he said. Other benefits being researched include the potential for Somali frankincense to stop inflammation or swelling.
“It can be used for helping with arthritis. It appears particularly effective at reducing symptoms of ulcerative colitis – an inflammatory gut condition.”
Through his research, the Compton Group are ready to take a frankincense-based treatment for a wide range of inflammation related diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) through to clinical trial.
ResearchGate. 2022. Ahmed ALI | Honorary Research Fellow/ Consultant Research Director (Compton Group) | BSc (Hons), MPhil., PhD | Cardiff University, Cardiff | CU | School of Biosciences. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28March 2022].
Linked in Profile:
Ali, Ahmed, Dr. Available at: [Accessed 28 March 2022].
BBC Wales News 2003, Youtube.com. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 March 2022].
Cardiff University. (2011, August 4). A wise man’s treatment for arthritis: Frankincense? ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2022, from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110621121316.htm
Cardiff University. 2022. Research scientist recognised for contribution to Welsh society. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 March 2022].
Comptongroup.com. n.d. Scientific Research. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 March 2022].
Find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. 2022. INTERNATIONAL GUMS & OILS LIMITED overview – Find and update company information – GOV.UK. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 March 2022].
Mathur, Sonia BBC News. December 21st 2021. Christmas: How are gold, frankincense and myrrh used in medicine?. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 March 2022].
Wightwick, A., 2022. Brilliant, Black and Welsh: A celebration of 100 inspiring people. [online] WalesOnline. Available at: [Accessed 28 March 2022].
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