Cambridge University College Announces Nigerian Professor,  Ijeoma Uchegbu, as its Next President

 Ijeoma Uchegbu, a Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience known for her ground-breaking work in nanoparticle drug delivery, has been announced as the 7th President of Wolfson College, one of the 31 colleges of the University of Cambridge. She will succeed the current President, Professor Jane Clarke, on October 1, 2024. 

Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu is currently a Professor of Pharmaceutical Neuroscience at University College London (UCL). She was raised in South East Nigeria and Hackney. She completed her pharmacy studies at the University of Benin in 1981 before attending the University of Lagos to obtain her master’s degree. Because of infrastructure issues, she was unable to finish her doctorate in Nigeria. After returning to the UK, she studied postgraduate work at the University of London, earning a PhD in 1997. Alexander (Sandy) Florence, the Dean of the School of Pharmacy supervised her dissertation. From 2002 to 2004, she worked as a lecturer at the University of Strathclyde.

Her pioneering work on the mechanisms of drug transport has led to the development of new treatments that promise to transform pain relief, including the enkephalin pain medicine candidate (EnveltaÔ™), designed to address the opioid crisis. With her visionary leadership and extensive experience in academia, Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu is set to make a profound impact on the college’s future. Her appointment brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge that will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and development of both the college and its students.

Books and Honours

Professor Uchegbu is the editor of three books, a named inventor on 11 granted patents, and has authored over 120 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Her work has been featured on BBC Woman’s Hour and more recently in The Guardian. She is also a Wellcome governor and sits on the Wellcome board.

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Her work has won her numerous awards, fellowships, and accolades, and she holds positions on several academic boards and councils including the Wellcome Trust, and the Academy of Medical Sciences, and is an honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. She has also played a leading role during her time at UCL as Pro Vice Provost for Africa and the Middle East, in forging new research partnerships in those regions and as UCL’s Provost’s Envoy for Race Equality, steering the organization’s race equality agenda.

Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu is the Chief Scientific Officer of Nanomerics Ltd. Nanomerics is a UCL spin-out company, which was founded by her and Andreas G. Schätzlein. The company recently licensed NM133 to Iacta Pharmaceuticals. Nanomerics also recently won first prize for its Molecular Envelope Technology at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies Competition 2017 in the Health category.

Responding to her appointment, Professor  Ijeoma Uchegbu said “I am so thrilled to be joining Wolfson College, an ambitious and forward-thinking College. It will be an honor to lead such a lively, diverse, and engaged student community in an environment where people are stimulated culturally, socially, and intellectually. I look forward to working with the Governing Body, staff, and students to help realize their ambitions and potential.”

Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu’s leadership will undoubtedly foster a research-intensive environment where innovation and critical thinking thrive. Moreover, her dedication to community engagement and inclusivity aligns perfectly with Wolfson College’s values. She strongly believes in creating a diverse and inclusive educational environment where individuals from all walks of life can thrive.

Greetings from Nigeria

Professor Uchegbu’s appointment has been widely reported in the Nigerian media. President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has issued a congratulatory message as has the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi.