Meet the Medicine Makers

Meet Dr Nathasia Muwanigwa, an Alzheimer's Research UK Fellow at the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, whose research focuses on understanding the biology behind neurodegenerative diseases, particularly the interactions between tau and RNA in Alzheimer's disease.In this episode of Meet the Medicine Makers, we explore Nathasia's journey through neuroscience, from studying and working across different countries to developing her own research ideas and securing an independent research fellowship.We discuss the challenges of researching complex diseases like Alzheimer's, why understanding the underlying biology is so important for developing new treatments, and what Nathasia learned from applying for fellowships and dealing with rejection along the way.Beyond the science, we explore Nathasia's passion for public engagement, advocacy and improving representation in research. Through initiatives such as Visibility STEM Africa and Mindful Conversations: Black Communities Talk Dementia & Brain Health, she is working to amplify underrepresented voices and create opportunities for meaningful engagement between researchers and the communities they serve.We also reflect on the importance of listening to lived experiences, building trust, navigating imposter syndrome and why sometimes the best advice is simply to "just do it".An insightful conversation about dementia research, scientific careers, representation and the importance of ensuring that research benefits the communities it aims to serve.------Find out more about NathasiaNathasia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathasia-muwanigwaMindful Conversations (MC) website: https://www.mindfulconversations.org.uk MC Focus Group report: https://doi.org/10.5522/04/32008182MC Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulconvos_ukMC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindful-conversations-uk

Meet Dr Gerardo Montalvo Zurbía Flores, a postdoctoral scientist at the University of Oxford whose research focuses on virology, immunology and vaccine development.In this episode of Meet the Medicine Makers, we explore Gerardo's journey from wanting to work with animals as a biologist to developing vaccines against infectious diseases.We discuss his current work on hepatitis C vaccines, including why developing vaccines against certain viruses remains so challenging, and how researchers are exploring new approaches to stimulate protective immune responses.Beyond the science, we explore the realities of building a career in vaccine research, from the importance of collaboration and mentorship to navigating the challenges of doctoral and postdoctoral research.Gerardo also shares his experiences of having six supervisors during his DPhil, how those challenges shaped his independence as a scientist, and why learning to be patient with yourself is just as important as being patient with the research.A thoughtful conversation about vaccine development, scientific resilience and what it takes to build a career in research.-----Find out more about Gerardo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerardo-montalvo-zurb%C3%ADa-flores-582309129/Gerardo's research interests: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerardo-montalvo-zurb%C3%ADa-flores-582309129/Gerardo's latest papers: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/spectrum.02895-25https://journals.lww.com/hep/fulltext/10.1097/hep.0000000000001599~the-development-of-a-pan-genotypic-t-cell-vaccine-against

Meet Matthew Perry, a former Principal Research Chemist at AstraZeneca who spent 37 years working in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.In this episode of Meet the Medicine Makers, we explore what medicinal chemists actually do and what it takes to turn an interesting molecule into something with the potential to become a medicine.Matthew reflects on how drug discovery has changed over nearly four decades, from advances in analytical and computational technologies to the growing role of automation, while highlighting why people and collaboration remain at the heart of developing new medicines.We also discuss the reality of failure in drug discovery, the judgement involved in knowing when to stop pursuing a project, and how moving from the UK to Sweden became one of the most important decisions of Matthew's career.Along the way, Matthew shares what 37 years in the field taught him about perseverance, continuous learning, teamwork and building a career that he genuinely enjoyed.A fascinating conversation about medicinal chemistry, the evolution of drug discovery, and the people behind how molecules become medicines.Matthew's Details LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-perry-4451421b/Reflections on a career in Medicinal Chemistry: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflections-career-medicinal-chemistry-matthew-perry-lzevf/Matthew's Lecture Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr7WUfPpPXc&t=833s&pp=ygUgbWVkaWNpbmFsIGNoZW1pc3RyeSBjcmFzaCBjb3Vyc2U%3D.

Meet Dr Sana Suri, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator of the Oxford Heart and Brain Group at the University of Oxford. In this episode of Meet the Medicine Makers, we explore the connection between heart health and brain health and why prevention involves much more than biology alone. Sana also shares how health inequalities and access to healthcare can shape brain health, highlighting the importance of ensuring that research and prevention strategies work for everyone.Beyond the science, we talk about public engagement, communicating research beyond academia, and Sana's own experiences building a career in science while advocating for greater inclusion and representation.A thoughtful conversation about dementia research, prevention, and the importance of representation. Sana's Details Profile: https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/team/sana-suriHeart and Brain Group: https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/research/research-groups/heart-and-brain-research

Meet Professor Jonathan Barratt, Mayer Professor of Renal Medicine at the University of Leicester and one of the world’s leading researchers in IgA nephropathy.In this episode of Meet the Medicine Makers, we explore what it takes to spend decades working towards new treatments for a rare disease, and how academic researchers contribute to medicine development.We discuss the changing landscape of IgA nephropathy research, the role of clinical trials and collaboration in turning scientific discoveries into treatments, and why learning how to deal with failure is such an important part of a scientific career.We also talk about patient advocacy, mentorship, and the importance of remembering the people behind the research, especially when working in a field where the impact of disease can shape so much of a person’s future.A thoughtful conversation about rare disease research, translational medicine, and the long road from scientific discovery to patient impact. Jon's Details LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-barratt-b322617b/Email: [email protected]:https://www.youtube.com/@LeicesterMayerIgAN/featuredhttps://www.iigann.org/https://le.ac.uk/iganhttps://www.justgiving.com/campaign/IgANephropathy

Meet Liam Eves, a clinical trial expert who has worked across almost every part of the clinical trial delivery process, from patient recruitment and site management to operational leadership and innovation in clinical research.In this episode of Meet the Medicine Makers, we explore how Liam first found his way into clinical trials, the challenges facing modern clinical research, and the advice he would give to someone considering a career in the field.We discuss the importance of trust, communication, and authenticity, and explore why solving a problem often starts with understanding it differently. Liam shares how shifting perspective can unlock solutions to some of the biggest challenges in clinical research.We also look to the future of clinical research, exploring how emerging technologies and new ways of thinking could transform the way medicines are developed and tested.A thought-provoking conversation about clinical trials, problem solving, and the future of medicine development.Liam's Details LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-eves-7177b219/Podcast (Endpoint): https://www.theendpointpodcast.com/Podcast (Innovating Clinical Trials): https://www.buzzsprout.com/2370152

Meet Ceren Karacay-Steinwender, a regulatory affairs manager with experience in both pharmaceuticals and medical technology.In this episode of Meet the Medicine Makers, we take a deep dive into the world of regulatory affairs and explore why it plays such a critical role in ensuring that medicines and medical technologies reach patients safely and effectively.We discuss the skills needed to succeed in the field, the realities of working with evolving regulations, and why regulatory affairs is far more strategic than many people realise.We also talk about breaking into the profession (including the value of reading job descriptions), communicating complex information, and Ceren's experience building an online platform to help others navigate the field.An insightful conversation about the people, decisions, and regulations that sit behind every medicine and medical device that reaches patients.Ceren's Work LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceren-karacay/Substack: https://beyondtheregulation.substack.com/

Meet Adam Ritchie, Senior Vaccinologist at the Jenner Institute in Oxford, whose work focuses on vaccine development and global health, including rabies vaccine research.In this episode of Meet the Medicine Makers, we explore what it takes to develop vaccines, from early-stage research through to manufacturing and global deployment. We discuss why rabies remains such a significant global health challenge despite being preventable, the realities of vaccine development, and the barriers that still exist around access and equity.We also talk about emerging infectious disease threats, the lessons learned from COVID-19, and what working in vaccinology teaches you about preparedness, global health, and the complexity of translating science into real-world impact.Adam's Details LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-ritchie-b4795b67/Rabies Vaccine Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S147330992600071X

Meet Alice Condrat, an early-stage drug discovery research assistant and the science communicator behind the Instagram account Vescientia.In this episode of Meet the Medicine Makers, we explore what it’s like to build a career in research today, both inside and outside the lab. We talk about the realities of working in drug discovery, the unpredictability of biological research, and the challenge of handling failure in science.We also discuss the role of science communication online, from combating misinformation and pseudoscience to making complex biology more accessible through short-form content and social media.Alice's DetailsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicecondrat/Vescientia: https://www.instagram.com/vescientia/?hl=en

Meet Dr. Nkemji Abia Kam, who at the time of recording was a Clinical Trial Manager at the Diabetes Trials Unit at the University of Oxford.In this episode of Meet the Medicine Makers, we explore what it takes to manage clinical trials, from navigating ethics approvals and training research teams to handling rejection and developing resilience in research.We also discuss the importance of patient safety, communication, and why representation in clinical trials matters globally, including the lack of clinical trials currently taking place in Africa despite the continent carrying a significant proportion of the global disease burden.A really insightful conversation for anyone interested in clinical trials, medicine development, and the people behind how new treatments reach patients.Nkemji's DetailsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkemji-abiakam-1b822911a/