Gloria Izu, a distinguished researcher and advocate, is making waves in the fields of drug discovery and community health. With a steadfast commitment to scientific and social progress, Izu’s innovative projects and dedication to her research are making a significant impact.
“Advancing science to benefit communities globally is what drives my work,” says Izu, whose career is marked by notable achievements and recognition. Her focus on drug discovery from natural products has led to several prestigious awards, including the International Society of Endocrinology Travel Grant in 2016. This grant enabled her to attend the 17th International Congress of Endocrinology and the 15th Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Endocrinology (ICE/CSE 2016) in China.
Her work on medicinal plants, specifically Launaea taraxacifolia, earned her the Addgene-Seeding Labs Plasmid Grant in 2018. Izu’s groundbreaking research in this area has also been recognized with the International Foundation of Science Award. These accolades underscore her pioneering contributions to drug discovery.
Currently, Izu is pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Technology at the Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa. Her research focuses on underutilized waste products from indigenous African fruits. “My current research explores novel bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antidiabetic properties from often-overlooked sources,” Izu explains. Supported by the NRF-TWAS grant and the CUT M&D Research Award, her work is set to be completed by December 2024.
In addition to her research, Izu has made substantial contributions to the scientific community. She is an expert journal article reviewer for the Journal of Drug and Chemical Toxicology and an abstract reviewer for the PharmSci360 conference and the 2024 National Biotechnology Conference organized by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). Her extensive publication record, with over 25 citations, further reflects her impact and expertise in her field.
Izu’s dedication was recently recognized with the 2024 Global Recognition Award, honoring her exceptional research achievements. Her academic background includes a BSc in Biology from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, and an MSc in Animal Physiology from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Her research interests include natural product extraction, drug development, molecular docking and dynamics, and compound isolation. Izu’s expertise extends to high-content screening and target identification and validation. “My work in bioassay development, phytochemical profiling, and metabolite identification has made significant strides in the field,” Izu notes.
Active in the professional community, Izu is a member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC USA), and the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK). She is also committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists. “I plan to explore new frontiers in drug discovery while continuing to make a meaningful impact on global health,” Izu said.
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