Esther Odekunle

Esther Odekunle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a PhD in Neurobiology. She was raised in the United Kingdom by Nigerian parents. Her interest in science developed from an early age, inspired by teachers and books focused on animals and the human body. Initially considering a career in medicine, she pursued biochemistry and neurobiology at Queen Mary University of London, where she earned both her degrees. Her doctoral research focused on neuropeptide systems in starfish, a choice influenced by their regenerative capabilities and the practical benefit of working with organisms that do not bite, especially after previous work with mice and rats as an undergraduate. She received full funding for her doctoral work from the Society for Experimental Biology.

Following her academic studies, Esther Odekunle transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry. She currently works as an Antibody Engineer at GlaxoSmithKline. In this role, she is responsible for identifying and removing undesirable characteristics in antibodies to improve their developability as therapeutic medicines. Her work involves analyzing antibodies to ensure they can function effectively within the human body, contributing to the development of treatments for diseases such as cancers, viral infections, and bacterial infections. This position allows her to apply her scientific skills to the development of therapeutics.

Beyond her professional work, Esther Odekunle is involved in science communication, especially through social media platforms. She advocates for increased visibility and representation of diverse professionals in STEM fields. Her efforts include discussing topics such as racism in academia and science. In 2021, her contributions were recognized when she was selected as a Rising Star Finalist in the STEM category of the Black British Business Awards. She also uses her platform to educate, with content that includes an episode on Henrietta Lacks shared with various levels of students.