Meet the Medicine Makers

Adam Ritchie: Senior Vaccinologist

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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-ritchie-b4795b67/] Rabies Vaccine Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S147330992600071X [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S147330992600071X]

Alice D. Condrat: Research Assistant + Science Communicator

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 Details LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicecondrat/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicecondrat/] Vescientia: https://www.instagram.com/vescientia/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/vescientia/?hl=en]

Nkemji Abiakam: Clinical Trials Manager

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 Details LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkemji-abiakam-1b822911a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nkemji-abiakam-1b822911a/]

Gareth Hathway: Professor of Neuroscience

Meet Professor Gareth Hathway, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham. What does it really take to build a career in academia? In this episode, Gareth shares his experiences navigating research, funding uncertainty, and the pressures of academic life. We discuss the importance of mentorship, the role of resilience, and the ongoing challenge of balancing work with life outside the lab. An honest and practical conversation for anyone considering or navigating a career in research. ---------------------------------------- Gareth's Details LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gareth-hathway-a9b6a329/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gareth-hathway-a9b6a329/] University Profile: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/life-sciences/people/gareth.hathway [https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/life-sciences/people/gareth.hathway]