I Was A Single Mum Of Three During My PhD – Nigerian Named Cambridge University College President
Despite facing challenges, including being a single mother of three children during her Ph.D. at the age of 30, Uchegbu expressed her pride in becoming a professor after five and a half years, which she considered a fast achievement in the UK academic system. She highlighted the significance of role models and motivation during her formative years in Nigeria.
Binye-lum 
Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu, a Nigerian-born academic specializing in Pharmaceutical Nanoscience, has been appointed as the seventh President of Wolfson College at the University of Cambridge. The announcement was made on Tuesday, and she is set to assume the role on October 1, 2024.
Currently serving as a Professor in Pharmaceutical Neuroscience at the University College London, Uchegbu shared her academic journey in an interview on Arise TV. She commenced her pharmacy studies in 1981 at the University of Benin, pursued a Master's degree at the University of Lagos, and later moved to the United Kingdom for her Ph.D.
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Despite facing challenges, including being a single mother of three children during her Ph.D. at the age of 30, Uchegbu expressed her pride in becoming a professor after five and a half years, which she considered a fast achievement in the UK academic system. She highlighted the significance of role models and motivation during her formative years in Nigeria.
Professor Uchegbu emphasized that her leadership position at Wolfson College provides an opportunity to give back to science and academia. With nearly 30 years of experience in the field, she aims to create an environment where others can thrive.
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Known for her contributions to Pharmaceutical Nanoscience and her work in science public engagement and equality in STEM, Uchegbu has held various positions, including being the Chief Scientific Officer of Nanomerics, a pharmaceutical nanotechnology company.
This appointment signifies a significant achievement for Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu and reflects her dedication to science, overcoming challenges, and contributing to academic leadership.
