Faces of Leadership: Black Scientists Shaping Cancer Research and Care
Written by Adesewa Adebisi and Melville Nyatondo, MCRC Cancer Sciences PhD Students
Representation in cancer research is essential for advancing progress and ensuring that discoveries benefit all communities. This Black History Month, we celebrate Black leaders at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, highlighting their proudest moments, lessons learned, and hopes for the future.
Dr Kelechi Njoku is an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Cancer Diagnostics at The University of Manchester, Academic Futures Scholar at The University of Oxford, and Honorary Clinical Oncology Registrar at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. His award-winning research, funded by CRUK, The Eve Appeal and North West Cancer Research, focuses on developing innovative diagnostic tools for early cancer detection.
What achievement or moment in your career journey makes you feel most proud?
My proudest moment was having my research recognized by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK. My work showed that protein signatures in vaginal fluid can detect endometrial cancer with over 95% accuracy. This research offers a simple, minimally invasive, and cost-effective diagnostic test that could transform detection for symptomatic post-menopausal women. Being honoured with the prestigious Edgar Gentili Prize and Sir William Gilliatt Award validated both the impact and promise of this research.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received on your career journey?
The best advice I have received is to self-validate. In our careers, it is easy to measure success through the opinions of others or the recognition that comes with awards and prizes. While these are meaningful, I learned that true progress comes from believing in yourself, trusting your vision and acknowledging your own efforts. Self-validation empowers you to stay resilient during challenges and remain motivated even when external recognition is absent. It reminds me that ambition is sustained not by applause but by inner conviction and confidence in the value of the work I am pursuing.
Irene Nambuya is a Research Technician in the Targeted Therapy group at The University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Immunology and supports translational studies on how radiotherapy shapes tumours and immune response.
What impact do you hope your work will have on patients, communities or the future of cancer research?
I hope our work makes a meaningful difference for patients by advancing more precise and effective cancer treatments. By understanding how radiotherapy affects tumours and their microenvironment, we aim to better predict which treatments will work best for each patient. More broadly, I hope this work informs future studies and clinical strategies. Ultimately, the goal is to help patients achieve better outcomes through personalised treatments and experience fewer side effects from their cancer therapy. This goal is what drives me every day.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received on your career journey?
“You can always be better than yesterday”. It is a simple reminder that growth is continuous. This encourages me to keep improving, stay focused, and bring the best to every stage of my career. This advice has shifted my focus from always looking for perfection to making consistent progress. Whether it is learning a new laboratory technique or facing a challenging day, this tactic helps me stay motivated and reminds me that every small step forward counts.
Emmanuel Okwelogu is a Medical Affairs Specialist and Medical Science Liaison at Thermo Fisher Scientific, supporting haematology/oncology immunoassays. He holds a PhD in Nanomedicine from The University of Manchester and an MSc in Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells from Imperial College London.
What impact do you hope your work will have on patients, communities or the future of cancer research?
I hope my work in cancer diagnostics contributes to earlier and more accurate detection, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Beyond the science, I want to inspire future researchers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to see themselves as vital contributors to advancing healthcare. Representation matters and I want my journey to affirm that excellence and innovation in cancer research can thrive through diversity, resilience and shared purpose.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received on your career journey?
The best advice I draw from is rooted in the Bible. Verses such as “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3) and “Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9) guide my approach to research and life. These words remind me to work with purpose, remain steadfast during challenges and trust that persistence will bear fruit in time.
Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Scholarship Programme
Applications for the 2025 programme open on Monday 6th October 2025 and close on Monday 17th November 2025.
Visit the Black Leaders in Cancer webpage to learn more about the programme.
