Nigerian Research Scientist Advancing Breakthrough On Drug Delivery

By Tosin Clegg

A Nigerian research scientist is conducting pioneering research in biomaterial-based drug delivery systems that could revolutionize how medications are administered globally.

Nzube Ruth Amaeze, a doctoral candidate in Chemistry at Howard University, is developing advanced nanoparticle platforms designed to overcome critical barriers that cause up to 90 percent of oral drug candidates to fail before reaching patients. Her research addresses poor drug absorption, gastrointestinal degradation, and non-targeted distribution challenges that have stymied pharmaceutical development for decades.

The focus of her doctoral work is pH-responsive nanoparticles that exploit fundamental physiological differences between healthy and diseased tissues. These intelligent delivery systems are designed to remain stable in the bloodstream while releasing therapeutics precisely at tumor sites.

From Nigerian Mangroves to Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology

Amaeze’s research trajectory reflects Nigeria’s untapped pharmaceutical potential. During her master’s research at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria in the department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, she successfully isolated and characterized polyphenolic compounds from endophytic fungi in Nigeria’s mangrove ecosystems. These metabolites demonstrated potent antimicrobial and anticancer properties against drug-resistant pathogens, showcasing the therapeutic potential of Nigeria’s marine biodiversity.

These microorganisms, which live symbiotically inside plants without causing harm, function as biological factories producing therapeutic compounds. The chemical diversity she discovered represents a largely unexplored reservoir for sustainable drug development, offering alternatives to harvesting rare medicinal plants.

Her undergraduate degree in Industrial Chemistry from Federal University of Technology, Owerri, provided the foundation for her transition into pharmaceutical nanotechnology, enabling her to bridge natural product chemistry with advanced materials engineering.

Addressing Global Healthcare Challenges

Amaeze’s current research extends beyond passive nanoparticles to peptide-drug conjugates molecular constructs where therapeutic agents are chemically linked to targeting peptides that recognize specific cancer cell receptors. These molecules function as molecular GPS systems, guiding drugs directly to malignant cells while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues.

Her work employs cutting-edge analytical techniques including flow cytometry for real-time cellular analysis, dynamic light scattering for nanoparticle characterization, and transmission electron microscopy for structural validation. This comprehensive approach enables precise optimization of drug loading efficiency, release kinetics, and bioavailability across varying physiological conditions.

Beyond her research contributions, Amaeze serves as a graduate teaching assistant at Howard University, where she mentors undergraduate students in organic chemistry and general chemistry laboratories. A recipient of a competitive graduate school scholarship, she has been recognized for her academic excellence and research potential. Her commitment to education stems from her National Certificate in Education, and she teaches chemistry and mathematics at various academic levels.

Amaeze’s contributions have garnered recognition beyond the laboratory. She received an award to present her research findings at an international scientific conference, acknowledging the significance and quality of her work. She has also been invited to serve as a moderator at scientific sessions and to review academic curricula, demonstrating her peers’ confidence in her expertise and professional judgment.

She maintains active engagement with the international scientific community through memberships in prestigious organizations including the American Association for Cancer Research, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, and the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. Invited to volunteer at American Chemical Society conferences, she contributes to advancing pharmaceutical sciences while building collaborative networks.

Currently, Amaeze has manuscripts at international journals, contributing to the growing body of knowledge in pharmaceutical nanotechnology.

The significance of Amaeze’s work extends beyond academic achievement to questions of pharmaceutical sovereignty. Nigeria currently imports over 70 percent of its medications despite possessing rich biodiversity and growing scientific expertise, a dependency that drains foreign exchange reserves and limits healthcare accessibility.

She points to India and China as instructive examples of nations that transformed traditional medicine into multi-billion-dollar industries through strategic investment in scientific validation and research infrastructure. Without decisive action, she cautions, other countries will patent Nigerian genetic resources and commercialize indigenous knowledge developed over generations.

Amaeze recommends establishing research centers focused on natural product characterization and nano-encapsulation technologies, supporting commercialization pathways for pharmaceutical discoveries, and training interdisciplinary teams that combine traditional botanical knowledge with modern pharmaceutical engineering.

“This isn’t just about scientific advancement, it’s about economic sovereignty and improving patient outcomes. We can develop Nigerian solutions for global health challenges, creating high-skilled jobs, reducing import dependence, and establishing Nigeria as a biopharmaceutical hub,” she emphasized.

Her research demonstrates that Nigerian scientists possess the capability to develop globally competitive therapeutics that address critical healthcare challenges while leveraging the nation’s biological resources. The question is whether Nigeria will invest strategically in research infrastructure and intellectual property protection to capture this opportunity, or watch other nations profit from its natural wealth.