Diaspora Star: Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu – Pioneering Scientist in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology

Dame Ijeoma Florence Uchegbu DBE is a shining example of Nigerian excellence on the global stage. A distinguished professor of pharmacy at University College London (UCL), she has made groundbreaking contributions to drug delivery through nanotechnology. Her career is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the boundless potential of Nigerians in the diaspora.

Born in London in 1960, Uchegbu spent part of her early life in Hackney, UK, and southeastern Nigeria. She studied pharmacy at the University of Benin, graduating in 1981, and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Lagos. However, pursuing a PhD in Nigeria proved difficult due to infrastructural challenges, prompting her to return to the UK.

Despite being a mature student and a mother of three, she completed her PhD in pharmaceutical nanoscience at the University of London in 1997. She later took on academic roles at the University of Strathclyde before joining UCL, where she became a leading researcher in nanoparticle drug delivery.

Uchegbu is the Chief Scientific Officer of Nanomerics, a pharmaceutical company specializing in nanotechnology-based drug solutions. At Nanomerics, she has led the development of molecular envelope technology nanoparticles, which help transport antibodies across the blood-brain barrier a major breakthrough in medicine. Her pioneering work won her the Royal Society of Chemistry Emerging Technologies Prize in 2017.

Uchegbu has been elected President of Wolfson College, Cambridge, to take up the post commencing on 1 October 2024. This historic appointment makes her one of the few Black women to lead a Cambridge college, marking a significant milestone in academia and leadership.

Beyond her research, Uchegbu is deeply committed to public engagement and advocating for women in STEM. She has featured on BBC Woman’s Hour and BBC Radio 4’s The Life Scientific, where she discussed her groundbreaking work in drug delivery. She also participates in Soapbox Science, an international outreach program aimed at promoting the work of women scientists.

In recognition of her contributions, she was selected for the Women of Outstanding Achievement in SET photographic exhibition in 2007, which was displayed at the Science Museum and the British Museum.

She is also a key figure in academia, serving as the Editor-in-Chief of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and on the editorial board of the Journal of Controlled Release. Her expertise has been recognized by various institutions, including her role on the healthcare strategy advisory team at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Her leadership in STEM and dedication to diversity have earned her numerous accolades. In 2024, she was honored with the title Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), one of the highest honors in the UK. Additionally, she served as Pro-Vice Provost for Africa and the Middle East at UCL from 2015 to 2024, where she fostered international collaborations and strengthened ties between Africa and the university.

Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu’s journey from Nigeria to the pinnacle of global academia and pharmaceutical research embodies the excellence of Nigerians in the diaspora. Her work continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, proving that with determination and innovation, Africans can lead in cutting-edge research and global change.