Ngozi Akingbesote became a GEM Fellow at ORNL through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).
As a high-school sophomore, Ngozi Akingbesote was captivated by her first experience in a science laboratory. But her father’s lack of support had her hesitant to pursue college and a career in science. It was a two-week stint at George Washington University’s Go Girl Science Camp that cemented her ambition and, ultimately, led her to enter an Independent Science Research course studying fungal pathogens.
That path eventually brought her to the GEM Fellowship at ORNL, which complements academic programs by utilizing the Lab’s unique resources of ORNL to enhance STEM education, encourage careers in science and technology, and improve scientific literacy.
Alongside her mentors, Miguel Toro-González and Sandra Davern, Akingbesote embarked on a research project focused on novel radioisotope delivery methods to target cancer cells, also known as targeted radioisotope therapy (TRT).
In TRT, radioactive particles called radioisotopes are injected into the body of a patient to target their cancer or tumors. However, these particles can damage the healthy cells around their target. Toro-González and Daverns’ expertise with nanotechnology made it possible to package the radioisotopes within nano-constructs for enhanced retention at the tumor site. This is where Akingbesote’s assistance has been important.
“Radioisotope therapy is one of the most effective therapies for cancer due to its ability to prevent cancer recurrence and resistance,” said Akingbestote. “Making such therapy more targeted and less toxic to surrounding healthy tissue will allow cancer patients to be cured without suffering the toxic effects of their therapy.”
