Ozioma Njoku
Ozioma Njoku is a highly accomplished Medical Laboratory Scientist and Pharmaceutical Research Scientist, recognized for her expertise in antibody formulation, drug conjugation, and high-complexity clinical diagnostics. With a career bridging both clinical and research domains, she has developed innovative therapeutics while ensuring the accuracy and reliability of critical laboratory results. Ozioma’s academic foundation includes a PhD in Pharmaceutics and Drug Design from University College London, a Master’s in Advanced Biomedical Science from De Montfort University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Nigeria, equipping her with a robust understanding of molecular diagnostics, analytical chemistry, and regulated quality systems.
In her professional practice, Ozioma has contributed significantly to both hospital laboratories and pharmaceutical research. She currently serves as a Medical Laboratory Scientist at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, performing high-complexity testing across multiple disciplines, maintaining compliance with CLIA and CAP standards, and collaborating closely with clinicians to support accurate patient diagnoses. Previously, she led research in antibody-drug conjugates, protein conjugation, and PEGylation at UCL, where she optimized therapeutic constructs and supported preclinical and early clinical studies. Across all roles, she emphasizes scientific rigor, reproducibility, and cross-functional collaboration, while mentoring colleagues and fostering innovation.
Beyond her laboratory and research work, Ozioma is deeply committed to community impact and advocacy. Following the loss of her mother to colon cancer in 2025, she co-founded an NGO to promote awareness and screening for the disease. Her dedication to giving back also extends to volunteer work in cancer education, as well as mentoring and teaching students in biomedical science. Driven by a philosophy that health is life, Ozioma’s career combines technical excellence with a compassionate mission: ensuring precise diagnostics, advancing therapeutics, and improving lives through both science and service.
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Good Clinical Practice
• Certified Biomedical Laboratory Scientist
• Cybersecurity Careers: Getting Started as a Penetration Tester
• Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) Cert Prep: 4 Analytics Workloads on Azure
• Become a User Experience Designer
• Speaking Confidently and Effectively
• UCL - PhD
• University College London
• Cancer Education UK
• NHS Blood Donation
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family. Growing up, my parents emphasized the value of education and encouraged me to strive for excellence. My father, a professor, and my parents as a whole instilled in me the drive to achieve my goals while also fostering a commitment to giving back to the community.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to actively seek inclusion and connection with peers and mentors. Being part of networks and communities of accomplished women not only sharpens your skills but also provides the support and encouragement to reach higher levels of achievement.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the late diagnosis of colon cancer in parts of Africa, which underscores the urgent need for broad public education and affordable access to screening, such as colonoscopy. Operational challenges, such as instrument breakdowns in clinical laboratories, further highlight the importance of developing reliable alternatives and contingency plans. At the same time, there are significant research opportunities, particularly in translating less-invasive or more effective treatments into pharmaceutical development—for example, exploring alternatives for treating age-related macular degeneration.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life include strong family support, a commitment to academic excellence, and ensuring accuracy and reproducibility in laboratory work. I am dedicated to protecting patients and making a meaningful impact by giving back to the community.
Locations
Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas
Houston, TX 77063