Key Points
- Onyeaka uses microbiology and engineering to develop sustainable food solutions, like algae-based flour and valuable products from food waste.
- Despite societal expectations and personal challenges, Onyeaka pursued a Ph.D. and built a successful research career focused on industrial fermentation and public health.
- Onyeaka leads initiatives to support underrepresented students and created a mentoring platform to foster inclusion and belonging in STEM.
Helen Onyeaka, Ph.D., has forged a path of scientific ingenuity and is a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of systemic barriers. Her experiences navigating academia as a woman of color, a mother and a microbiologist-turned-engineer offer critical lessons for the scientific community on the importance of inclusivity, interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship. Onyeaka is currently an associate professor in the University of Birmingham's school of chemical engineering in the United Kingdom (U.K.).
From Nigeria to the UK: A Career Rooted in Curiosity and Purpose
Born in Nigeria, Onyeaka was raised in a culture where career decisions were often shaped by family expectations. Initially encouraged to pursue medicine, she quickly realized that her passion resided elsewhere. She found herself drawn to a variety of academic disciplines, including biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and the humanities. This multifaceted curiosity ultimately led her to earn a B.S. in industrial microbiology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Onyeaka was drawn to the unconventional promise of microbes as food. "I became captivated by microbes because they offer hope against hunger, tiny factories that can turn simple feedstocks into life-giving protein for communities facing malnutrition," Onyeaka said.
During her undergraduate studies, Onyeaka focused on single-cell protein (SCP) production, cultivating microbial biomass as a high-quality protein source. Her work explored how the choice of organism, substrate and fermentation conditions influence the yield, amino-acid profile and safety of the product, and how SCP could be scaled to offer affordable, nutritious protein where conventional sources are limited. That early immersion convinced her that microbiology could power practical solutions to hunger and public health, setting the course for a research-centered career.
One year after graduating college with her undergraduate degree, Onyeaka moved to the United Kingdom and began work in a microbiology laboratory, contributing to studies on Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsy samples and Streptococcus spp. infections in pregnant women. She later enrolled at the University of Wolverhampton, earning a master's degree in biomedical sciences. Her research focused on the role of nitric oxide in the initiation of labor. This experience clarified her path-solidifying the fact that she wanted a research career, rather than a purely diagnostic role in a medical laboratory.
Onyeaka later joined an andrology laboratory in Birmingham, U.K., helping to develop an over-the-counter male fertility kit, now marketed as Fertell. Working in research prompted Onyeaka to consider pursuing a Ph.D. During this period, a senior colleague questioned whether Onyeaka, as a mother of 2, could pursue a Ph.D. Reflecting on this moment in her career, Onyeaka shared, "I chart my own course; other people's words are weather, not the map." Her work directly demonstrated this truth as she secured a place in the chemical engineering Ph.D. program at the University of Birmingham. There, she combined her microbiology background with engineering principles to tackle fermentation at an industrial scale. She has not looked back since.
Research for a Sustainable Future
At the heart of Onyeaka's research at the University of Birmingham is a commitment to sustainability, particularly in the context of food systems and waste reduction. Her interdisciplinary work combines microbiology, engineering and environmental science to create innovative solutions to some of today's most pressing challenges. Her research includes, developing antimicrobial peptides from yogurt-derived bacteria and using microencapsulation to extend food shelf-life and reduce waste. Onyeaka's team pioneers nutrient-rich, sustainable algae-based flour for bakery applications, offering eco-friendly alternatives to traditional ingredients. She also applies green extraction technologies to convert food industry byproducts into valuable compounds, turning waste into resources.
One of Onyeaka's most novel innovations involves producing sustainable bread using Ohmic baking, a thermal food processing technique that uses an alternating electric current to generate heat. This technique eliminates crust formation, reduces baking time, preserves freshness and enhances energy efficiency. It represents a promising step toward reducing the carbon footprint of the food industry. According to Onyeaka, "Using electricity to bake bread is quite exciting. When you compare this bread baked by electricity to the one in the oven, the oven-baked bread takes 20 minutes. But with electricity, it is only 8 minutes-and it's really spongy, and it's crust free! In the U.K., quite a lot of crust is removed and wasted because people don't like crusts, so this is less waste."
Breaking Barriers and Building Networks
Onyeaka candidly discussed the obstacles she has faced throughout her career, particularly those related to race, gender and motherhood. "These challenges can be deeply personal, professional or a combination of both. I remember at my children's school at the start of 2025, some of the mothers looked at me like 'Oh, you're not always there for them.' I just make sure that I encourage my children and that they can see their mother is doing very well. I didn't let that affect me," she shared.
As a woman of color in a male-dominated field, Onyeaka encountered systemic bias and limited access to key opportunities. "After giving birth to my third child, getting back into research was incredibly difficult," she said. "The career break became a barrier, and research-focused roles were not available to me. I completed a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) and taught in secondary school and college until a temporary, teaching-focused lectureship opened at the University of Birmingham's School of Chemical Engineering. I took the cover post, designed and delivered modules, supervised student projects and rebuilt my academic profile. That foothold allowed me to return to research."
Balancing her family life with a demanding academic career required exceptional time management, which Okyeaka credits to a structured use of to-do lists and a firm commitment to setting boundaries. "Despite all these obstacles, I've learned perseverance is very important, and a strong support network is key," she said. Her advice to others: "Don't work in isolation, and ensure you have a support network and also a commitment to continuously learn to make a difference."
Crucially, Onyeaka emphasized the importance of visibility. "In order to make a difference, I put myself out there quite a lot," she noted. Onyeaka has made strategic use of social media platforms, such as LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter), to disseminate her research beyond academia, expand her professional network and connect with industry partners. These efforts have enabled her to bridge the academia-industry gap, enhancing her ability to secure collaborations, funding and have greater impact. "On LinkedIn, I'm constantly posting about food safety. I'm constantly putting out posts every week. I make it clear that I'm open for collaborations. I've had success from being proactive. I've been able to write books, been invited to speak in conferences and address several companies that have issues in terms of food safety," she said.
At the University of Birmingham, Onyeaka is a key figure in fostering interdisciplinary partnerships (e.g., with Biovitae, a company with technology to continuously sanitize air and surfaces without UV light, making it safe for humans and animals), often through the institution's food network. She advocates for collaboration across departments, disciplines and sectors, believing that diverse perspectives are vital for meaningful scientific progress.
Advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Onyeaka's advocacy extends beyond her own career. A tireless champion for underrepresented students, she has spearheaded multiple equity-focused initiatives. She co-founded and co-chaired the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee at her university, where she leads the school of chemical engineering's efforts to make STEM more accessible and inclusive.
She also helped to establish eConnect, a mentoring platform designed to support students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Through workshops, 1-on-1 mentoring and outreach activities, eConnect aims to cultivate a strong sense of belonging among participants and equip them with the tools they need to thrive.
In the classroom, Onyeaka encourages cultural exchange by inviting students to share traditional food practices, fostering an inclusive learning environment grounded in mutual respect and curiosity. Her efforts also extend to younger audiences as she regularly participates in academic outreach activities through the University of Birmingham's School of Chemical Engineering to inspire girls to pursue careers in engineering.
Looking Forward: A Call to Action
Onyeaka calls the community to action by reminding members of the STEM field that equity, diversity and inclusion are not peripheral concerns, but essential components of scientific excellence. Innovation thrives when diverse voices are heard and empowered.
Quoting a paraphrased insight from Professor Bart Ehrman, she reflected, "Success is largely determined by 3 important factors: where one is born, what one is endowed with and what one does with the opportunities life provides. While you may not be able to do anything about the first 2, you can change your life by making the most of every opportunity that comes your way."
Her message to the field is clear-embrace every opportunity, persist through adversity and create pathways for those who follow.
