The speaker recently participated in an expert panel discussion at Yale University entitled: DRUGS, DEVELOPMENT & UNIVERSITIES - "Why are essential medicines still unavailable in poor countries?" The current session will discuss challenges to the successful production of pharmaceuticals in Africa including: the drugs urgently needed in Africa, the process for producing drugs in Africa generally, and the specific challenges involved in the synthesis and production of antiretrovirals. The discussion will be accompanied by pictures from Cameroon that may run counter to your current understanding and expectations about Africa.

As scientists we need to remember that we have choices beyond traditional academic and industry careers. Indeed, in the past several years many scientists have begun to consider the non-profit world as a way to create a more meaningful career. This has been occurring as more people realize that access to potentially life-saving drugs ought to be a human right, like access to food, shelter and education.