Ghanaian-born PhD researcher gains global recognition - Nanomedicine breakthroughs promise more effective, affordable cancer drug delivery

Ghanaian-born researcher David U. Mualen, a PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering in the United States, is gaining international recognition for research that is reshaping how modern medicines are designed, manufactured and delivered.

His work in nanomedicine has attracted attention from leading scientific and industrial institutions for its potential to improve the effectiveness, affordability and accessibility of advanced therapies, particularly in cancer treatment.

A major milestone in Mualen’s research career is his co-authored article, “Experimental and Computational Investigation of Mixing Dynamics in Millifluidic Jet Mixing Reactors,” published in the Chemical Engineering Journal, one of the world’s leading engineering publications. The journal is known for disseminating high-impact, rigorously peer-reviewed research that directly influences global chemical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries.

Publication in the journal signals that the work is not only scientifically robust but also highly relevant to real-world production challenges.

Industry-relevant scale

In the study, Mualen and his collaborators demonstrate how compact millifluidic jet-mixing reactors can reproducibly manufacture nanoparticles at industry-relevant scales—an advancement that addresses a long-standing bottleneck in translating nanomedicine from the laboratory to full-scale pharmaceutical production.

This foundation in scalable nanomanufacturing complements Mualen’s cancer-focused research, which seeks to overcome one of oncology’s most persistent challenges: the safe and efficient delivery of hydrophobic drugs in the body.

“Our approach focuses on engineering tiny, stable nanoparticles capable of transporting difficult-to-solubilise drugs such as cannabidiol (CBD) through the bloodstream and releasing them directly at the tumour site,” Mualen explained.

His project, “Scalable Synthesis of CBD-Loaded Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy via Electrohydrodynamic Mixing-Mediated Nanoprecipitation,” introduces a production platform that enables large-batch, high-quality nanoparticle manufacturing—an essential step towards making next-generation cancer therapies more affordable and widely available.

In recognition of the originality and translational promise of his work, the American Chemical Society (ACS)—the world’s largest scientific organisation—selected Mualen as one of its 2025 Future Pharma Innovators. The highly competitive programme recognises only 25 emerging scientists worldwide and is supported by Pfizer alongside multiple ACS divisions.

Awardees receive industry mentorship and sponsorship to present their research at the prestigious ACS National Meeting, positioning them at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation.

These achievements have also opened doors within the pharmaceutical industry.

Mualen secured a competitive Fall 2025 internship at Eli Lilly and Company, a global leader in drug development.

Working in Lilly’s Bioproduct Research and Development Division on the Drug Product Formulation Team, he contributed to formulation design, analytical characterisation and drug-product process development—hands-on experience typically reserved for highly specialised scientists and future technical leaders in the sector.

Reflecting on the broader impact of his work, Mualen emphasised its public value.

“The goal is to help make medicines more effective, more affordable and more reliably produced,” he said.

“Scalable nanomanufacturing not only benefits cancer treatment, but also has the potential to improve vaccine production, reduce drug waste and support sustainable agriculture through precision-release technologies.”

Mualen credits much of his development to the mentorship of his PhD supervisor, Professor Jessica Winter, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University.

He noted that her guidance has shaped his ability to think beyond experiments towards real-world impact and global health outcomes.

Together, Mualen’s scholarly publications, international recognition and industry engagement highlight the growing influence of African excellence in frontier science.

With continued collaboration and support, his work is well positioned to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen healthcare delivery and contribute meaningful solutions to global public-health and sustainability challenges.