Imagine for a moment a particle on the nanoscale less
than a thousandth of the width of a human hair that operates
with such precision that it can carry a medicine to a specific site in the body
and release it just where it's needed,
improving the drug's impact and reducing side effects.
This idea has inspired and driven the research of my guest today.
Ijeoma Uchebu is Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience at University College London.
She uses the nanoparticles she's created to carry medicines
to regions of the body that are notoriously hard to reach.
The back of the eye and the brain.
With clinical trials in the pipeline, her hope is to treat blindness with eye drops,
transform pain relief and address the opioid crisis.
Ijeoma grew up in the UK and in Nigeria and took an unconventional route to becoming a scientist.
A single mother with three small children trying to make ends meet.
She might have given up on the idea, but she didn't.
In fact,
she's had an illustrious scientific career
and in October she takes up the role of President of Wolfson College at Cambridge University.
And her passion for science and sharing it with others is as strong as ever.
She's even turned to stand up comedy to help get her message across.