Kaothar Olurode Adeleke, a Nigerian-born chemist, is working to improve global drug safety by establishing an independent contract analytical testing laboratory in the United States. Her goal is to help prevent drug shortages and expand quality-control capacity in the pharmaceutical industry. Adeleke currently works as a Quality Control Chemist at Tower Laboratories Ltd in the US, where she conducts analytical tests to verify the potency, stability, and shelf life of medications.
Adeleke's work at Tower Laboratories involves screening products for major companies such as Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. She tests drugs used to treat malaria, diabetes, and common headaches to ensure they are effective and free from harmful impurities. According to Adeleke, every medicine must undergo strict laboratory verification to protect patients from substandard products. Her experience has shown her that inadequate testing facilities often slow down pharmaceutical production, leaving patients without timely access to safe medicines.
Adeleke's scientific foundation was built in Osun State, where she earned both her National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology from The Federal Polytechnic, Ede. She credits the practical laboratory training she received at the institution with equipping her for international industry standards. This foundation has been crucial in her work as a Quality Control Chemist.
Adeleke later moved to the United States, where she earned a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of New Haven, Connecticut. During her postgraduate studies, Adeleke focused her thesis on converting carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas linked to global warming, into methanol, a useful chemical and potential fuel. This project reinforced her view that academic research must translate into practical solutions that protect the environment and improve daily life.
Adeleke's goal is to use science to solve practical problems and improve human lives. She believes that young Africans possess the intellectual capacity to contribute to global scientific advancement if they pursue opportunities with confidence. Adeleke urges young Nigerians pursuing careers in science, research, and innovation not to be discouraged by the scale of challenges facing the scientific community.
To young Nigerians, Adeleke offers words of encouragement, saying, “Do not be intimidated by the big problems. Start where you are. Learn what you can. Every expert you admire today was once a beginner.” She emphasizes that Nigeria has brilliant young scientists and that what is needed is for them to believe that they belong in these spaces: in the best laboratories, working on the biggest problems.
Adeleke's plans for a US testing lab are expected to contribute significantly to the pharmaceutical industry's quality-control capacity. Her work and advocacy for young scientists reflect her commitment to using science to improve human lives and protect the environment. With her experience and expertise, Adeleke is well-positioned to make a positive impact in the industry.
Key points
- Adeleke's laboratory will help prevent drug shortages and expand quality-control capacity.
- Adeleke has worked with major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb.
- Adeleke encourages young Nigerians to pursue careers in science, research, and innovation with confidence.
