Onyinyechi Obidiro, PharmD, PhD

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

Leadership starts with service. Serving others reveals your qualities and inspires people to contribute. A good leader is confident yet humble, and willing to take on difficult tasks to motivate the team.

What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?

I’m most proud of completing my PhD. It was an incredibly challenging journey that tested my resilience. As a first-generation college student, this milestone holds deep personal and family significance.

What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why? What obstacles will you overcome?

I aspire to make scientific breakthroughs in pharmaceutical sciences that improve patient lives. I also aim to mentor others while growing professionally. Though I anticipate challenges like limited opportunities, I’m confident I’ll overcome them through resilience and continuous learning.

Describe an amazing opportunity in your STEM career.

Publishing my first manuscript as a PhD scholar was amazing. Sharing my research and seeing it cited and read by peers worldwide was incredibly rewarding and fueled my drive to make further impactful contributions in pharmaceutical sciences.

How was AWIS helped you professionally and/or personally?

AWIS has helped me grow by connecting me with women leaders in science. Through networking events and mentorship, I’ve gained valuable insights and felt supported in my career journey. It’s a community that inspires me to reach new heights in my field.

What is your favorite word? (only one word)

Resilience.

How do you define it?

Resilience is the inner strength to overcome obstacles and resistance.

How has this word influenced or inspired your career?

Resilience has inspired me to stay determined in my career, viewing challenges as opportunities to grow. It keeps me positive and pushes me to aim higher, shaping my professional journey in meaningful ways.

How does AWIS impact your career journey?

AWIS has provided professional development, networking, and mentorship opportunities. It’s a platform that has helped me grow both personally and professionally, inspiring me to aim higher in my field.

What are you currently reading or listening to?

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

What do you consider the best professional or personal advice you’ve ever received?

Be kind to yourself. It’s taught me to pursue my goals without sacrificing my well-being, which has been crucial for maintaining resilience in my career.

Onyinyechi Obidiro, PharmD, PhD, is a pharmaceutical scientist specializing in drug discovery and translational research. She earned her PharmD in Nigeria and PhD at Howard University, focusing on nanomedicine for triple-negative breast cancer. With publications, honors, and work at Novartis and RTI International, she blends expertise in oncology and precision medicine and remains passionate about mentoring and drug development.