A Ghanaian PhD researcher in the United States, David Mualen, has earned international recognition for groundbreaking work in cancer drug delivery and nanomedicine. 

According to reports, his discoveries, already attracting attention from top scientific institutions, are paving the way for significant improvements in the production and delivery of life-saving medicines.

In a chat with newsmen, Mualen said, “My work focuses on improving how promising but difficult-to-use cancer drugs like cannabidiol (CBD) can be delivered more effectively in the body. By using high-speed mixing and nanoscale engineering, we create tiny micelles that travel through the bloodstream, stay stable, and release the drug exactly where it is needed. This method has strong potential to overcome drug resistance in aggressive cancers.” 

According to reports His project “Scalable Synthesis of Cannabidiol-Loaded Micelles for Cancer Therapy via Electrohydrodynamic Mixing-Mediated Nanoprecipitation targets long-standing barriers in oncology, particularly the poor solubility and limited tumor-targeting ability of hydrophobic cancer drugs. 

“The prestige of my findings has opened new professional doors and has secured me a highly competitive Fall 2025 internship at Eli Lilly and Company, the world’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturer known for delivering advanced biologics, oncology medicines, and drug-product innovations.

“My goal is to make medicine more effective, more affordable, and more accessible. Scalable nanomanufacturing doesn’t just benefit cancer treatment—it has major potential for improving vaccines, reducing drug waste, and even enhancing sustainability in agriculture through controlled-release technologies.”

“My achievements highlight the growing presence and excellence of African talent in frontier science. 

 “Recently, the world’s largest scientific society,the American Chemical Society (ACS), named me as one of its 2025 Future Pharma Innovators, placing me among only 25 outstanding young scientists worldwide selected for our potential to shape the future of the pharmaceutical industry.

“My selection followed a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process conducted by the ACS Division of Professional Relations, the Division of Analytical Chemistry, and the Division of Organic Chemistry. Candidates are assessed not only on technical excellence but also on their contributions to pharmaceutical science, leadership potential, and commitment to advancing the public good. 

“Only applicants demonstrating exceptional innovation, strong research originality, and the ability to translate laboratory discoveries into real-world therapeutic impact are chosen, making my inclusion a testament to the distinctiveness and scientific strength of my work.” 

The recognitions supported by Pfizer and ACS professional divisions, grants him industry mentorship and sponsorship to present his findings at the ACS Fall Conference in Washington, D.C.