Cambridge varsity names Nigerian professor Ijeoma Uchegbu as seventh president of Wolfson College
The University of Cambridge has announced a Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience, Ijeoma Uchegbu, as the seventh President of Wolfson College, one of its 31 colleges.
This was made known in a statement titled, “Wolfson elects Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu as the College’s 7th President on the University’s website.
Uchegbu, who will succeed the current President, Professor Jane Clarke, on October 1, 2024, is known for her ground-breaking work in nanoparticle drug delivery.
The Nigerian professor currently lectures at University College London.
The statement read, “We are delighted to announce that Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu, a ground-breaking nanoscientist, has been elected as Wolfson’s seventh President.
“Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu, a Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience known for her ground-breaking work in nanoparticle drug delivery, will become the 7th President of Wolfson. She will succeed the current President, Professor Jane Clarke, on 1 October 2024.
The statement read, “We are delighted to announce that Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu, a ground-breaking nanoscientist, has been elected as Wolfson’s seventh President.
“Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu, a Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience known for her ground-breaking work in nanoparticle drug delivery, will become the 7th President of Wolfson. Professor Jane Clarke, the current President, will step down on October 1, 2024.
“Professor Uchegbu is a Pharmaceutical Nanoscience Professor at University College London.” Her pioneering work on the mechanisms of drug transport has led to the development of new treatments which promise to transform pain relief, including the enkephalin pain medicine candidate (EnveltaÔ), designed to address the opioid crisis.
“Her work has earned her numerous awards, fellowships, and accolades, and she serves on a number of academic boards and councils, including the Wellcome Trust, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Royal Society of Chemistry.”
“She has also played a key role in forging new research partnerships in Africa and the Middle East during her time at UCL as Pro Vice Provost for Africa and the Middle East, as well as as UCL’s Provost’s Envoy for Race Equality, steering the organization’s race equality agenda.”
“I am so excited to be joining Wolfson College, an ambitious and forward-thinking College,” Uchegbu responded.
“It will be an honour to lead such a lively, diverse and engaged student community in an environment where people are stimulated culturally, socially and intellectually. I am excited to engage with the Governing Body, staff, and students to help them fulfil their goals and potential.”
Meanwhile, Professor Clarke, the incumbent President, stated, “I congratulate Ijeoma on being elected President of Wolfson College.” If she finds being the leader of the ‘Wolfpack’ half as rewarding as I have, then I can assure her that she will enjoy herself immensely.”
Uchegbu grew up in South East Nigeria and Hackney, London. She earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Benin in 1981 and her master’s degree from the University of Lagos.
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.