Paul Talks Science

Paul ADEPOJU, PhD

Welcome to "Paul Talks Science," a podcast that journeys into the ever-evolving realms of health, science, and innovation. Hosted by Paul Adepoju, each episode features thought-provoking conversations with experts and trailblazers who are shaping the future of medicine and technology. From groundbreaking research to revolutionary treatments, "Paul Talks Science" delves deep into the stories and ideas that will define tomorrow's world. Join us as we explore the cutting edge, challenge the status quo, and uncover the innovations that hold the promise of a better, healthier future.

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S3 · E20
Yesterday · 18 min
Ebola Crossed the Border: How Uganda Prevented a Wider Outbreak
Ebola crossed from the Democratic Republic of the Congo into Uganda 15 times during the 2026 Bundibugyo outbreak. Five more people became infected within Uganda. Yet the virus did not take hold in the wider community. How did responders break the chain of transmission? In this episode of Paul Talks Science, I speak with Dr Henry Kyobe Bosa, who helped lead Uganda’s Ebola response. He explains how contact tracing and quarantine helped health workers find the five locally acquired cases soon after symptoms began. We also discuss the infections among health workers who did not initially know they were treating Ebola patients, the risk of further cases crossing the border, and why surveillance must continue after an outbreak is declared over. This conversation informed my report for The Lancet: “Uganda ends Ebola outbreak but risk remains”. For more of my reporting on the Bundibugyo outbreak, read “Research response to the Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak” in The Lancet Microbe and “Can the world really develop a vaccine in 100 days?” in Devex.
S3 · E19
September 21 · 18 min
Inside the first human trial of a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine
Oxford researchers have begun the first-in-human trial of a vaccine against Bundibugyo Ebola virus. In this episode, Paul Adepoju speaks with Katrina Pollock, chief investigator of the trial at the Oxford Vaccine Group, about how the study is being run, what Phase 1 can and cannot tell us, the challenge of proving protection during an active outbreak, and what needs to happen before a vaccine can move into wider use.
S3 · E18
August 24 · 43 min
35 New Cancer Machines, But Who Gets Treated?
Nigeria is planning a major expansion of radiotherapy, with 35 additional linear accelerators expected to boost the country’s capacity to treat cancer. But buying the machines is only the beginning. In this episode of Paul Talks Science, I speak with Runcie C.W. Chidebe, Executive Director of Project PINK BLUE, about what radiotherapy access really looks like for patients in Nigeria and what must happen for this new investment to make a difference. We discuss why some radiotherapy machines and centres have previously stopped functioning, shortages of trained professionals, maintenance and service contracts, treatment costs that can run into millions of naira, long journeys to access care, limited insurance coverage, and the burden all of this places on patients and their families. Runcie also explains why simply increasing the number of machines will not automatically increase access, and why workforce development, affordability, state-level investment and accountability will be crucial as the expansion moves forward. This conversation followed my reporting for The Lancet Oncology on Nigeria’s planned radiotherapy expansion. You can read the published story here: Nigeria plans major expansion of radiotherapy capacity The big question: Nigeria may be getting more cancer-treatment machines, but will the patients who need them actually be able to use them?
S3 · E17
July 14 · 21 min
First Nations Cancer Inequalities in Canada
New research has revealed persistent inequalities in cancer outcomes among First Nations people in Ontario, Canada. The study found higher colon cancer incidence at younger ages and poorer survival after breast, cervical, and colon cancer diagnoses. Its publication coincides with Ontario’s decision to lower the starting age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45, making more than one million additional people eligible. But earlier screening addresses only one part of the problem. For people living in remote First Nations communities, an abnormal result or cancer diagnosis can lead to long-distance travel, unreliable transport, bureaucratic funding processes, fragmented services, and difficulties accessing culturally safe care. In this episode, Dr Jill Tinmouth, the study’s corresponding author, explains what prompted the research, what the findings reveal about cancer screening and survival, and why more attention must be paid to the pathway between diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. The conversation forms part of my reporting on First Nations cancer inequalities for The Lancet Oncology.
S3 · E16
July 9 · 26 min
South Africa’s Cancer Moonshot
In this episode of Paul Talks Science, I explore South Africa’s cancer care crisis through the lens of the country’s first imPACT Review, an international assessment supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency, WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The episode builds on my newly published The Lancet Oncology news feature, “South Africa’s first imPACT Review”, which examines whether the review can help turn long-recognised cancer-care gaps into funded, measurable action. My guest is Salomé Meyer of Cancer Alliance, one of South Africa’s long-standing cancer advocates. She explains why the review matters, what it reveals about access to cancer diagnosis and treatment, and why South Africa now needs more than another cancer policy document. We discuss cancer prevention, screening, early detection, patient navigation, provincial inequalities, public and private cancer care, the need for a national cancer control plan, and why advocates see this moment as South Africa’s own “cancer moonshot”.
S3 · E15
June 29 · 39 min
The Medicine Exists. So Why Can’t Patients Get It?
A medicine can exist and still not reach the patient who needs it. In this episode, Paul Adepoju speaks with Herb Riband, Executive Director of Access Accelerated, about why access to medicines often breaks down between the laboratory, the procurement system and the patient. They discuss the financing gap for non-communicable diseases, the limits of focusing only on lower prices, and why African countries are increasingly looking at market shaping, pooled procurement and stronger local systems to make medicine supply more reliable. This conversation builds on Paul’s Re:solve Global Health story, “Can market shaping improve medicine access across Africa?” Read the story here
S3 · E14
June 16 · 31 min
The Cruise Ship Hantavirus Outbreak Explained
In this episode of Paul Talks Science, Paul Adepoju expands on his Lancet Microbe article, “International response to hantavirus outbreak,” with infectious disease expert Dr Neil Vora. The conversation goes beyond the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak to ask what this episode reveals about spillover risk, cruise ships as outbreak spaces, and why preventing viruses from jumping from animals to humans must become a bigger part of global health security. From quarantine and contact tracing to wildlife trade, climate change, surveillance and One Health, this episode looks at why rare outbreaks are no longer something the world can afford to treat as rare.
S3 · E13
June 1 · 10 min
The Outbreak We Should Have Seen Coming
In this episode, Paul Adepoju speaks with infectious disease expert Dr Amesh Adalja about why the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is exposing gaps the world should have closed long ago. While Ebola vaccines have transformed response to some outbreaks, most countermeasure development has focused on Ebola Zaire, leaving rarer but still deadly filoviruses such as Bundibugyo, Sudan and Marburg with fewer tools ready when they are needed. Adalja explains why outbreak preparedness keeps falling into cycles of panic and neglect, what mRNA technology could realistically change, and why a broader viral-family approach may be essential for the next generation of vaccines and treatments. The conversation builds on Paul’s Scientific American report, “Vaccines for Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Outbreak Are Being Developed, but None Are Ready Yet,” which examines how the current outbreak has renewed questions about vaccine readiness, political will and the cost of waiting until a virus is already spreading. This is a conversation about the outbreak we should have seen coming — and what it will take to stop being surprised by the next one.
S3 · E12
April 25 · 17 min
The Malaria Paradox
On World Malaria Day, the spotlight turns once again to one of the world’s oldest and deadliest diseases. This year, the story feels different. For decades, the malaria vaccine was seen as the breakthrough the world was waiting for. Now it’s here. So why does the fight against malaria still feel unfinished? In this episode, I speak with Photini Sinnis, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a leading expert on how malaria infection begins in the body. We unpack what the arrival of malaria vaccines really means—and what it doesn’t. Why these vaccines were never meant to be a “magic bullet.” Why bed nets, drugs, and vector control still matter. And why combining tools, rather than relying on one breakthrough, may be the only realistic path forward. We also go deeper into the science: the hidden complexity of the malaria parasite, the push toward multi-stage vaccines, and the knowledge gaps that still define this field. Along the way, we confront a harder truth—why global health innovation doesn’t always move at the same speed for every disease. There is real progress. There is renewed optimism. But there is no simple solution. This is the malaria paradox: more tools than ever before, yet a fight that is far from over.
S3 · E11
April 6 · 43 min
Replacing Forever Chemicals: The Hidden Toxins Already in Your Body
What if some of the most persistent pollutants on Earth are already inside us? In this episode of Paul Talks Science, we explore the growing global concern around PFAS, widely known as forever chemicals—a group of man-made substances used in everyday products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foams. These chemicals are called “forever” because they don’t easily break down in the environment or in the human body. Over time, they accumulate in water, soil, wildlife—and increasingly, in people. As policymakers debate how to regulate these substances, lawmakers including Betty McCollum and Dick Durbin have renewed efforts to phase out many non-essential uses of PFAS and hold polluters accountable. But regulation alone may not solve the problem. On a bright, sunny day in Massachusetts, I visited the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), where scientists are working on a crucial question: how do we replace PFAS in the products we rely on every day? During my visit, I spoke with TURI scientists Greg and Gabriel about why PFAS became so widespread, the challenges of cleaning them up once they enter the environment, and why developing safer alternatives could be one of the fastest and most effective solutions. In this conversation, we unpack: What forever chemicals are and why they’re so difficult to remove How PFAS end up in everyday products and in our bodies The growing political and regulatory pressure to phase them out Why some scientists believe replacement—not destruction—may be the smarter path forward At a time when global headlines are dominated by geopolitical tensions and conflict, the long-term challenge of chemical pollution can easily fade from view. But the decisions we make about PFAS today could shape environmental and public health for decades to come. 🎧 Listen in as we explore the science, policy, and innovation behind the push to replace forever chemicals.
S3 · E10
March 17 · 14 min
Cancer Care Amid Geopolitical Crises
In this episode of Paul Talks Science, we explore the hidden toll of conflict on cancer patients and health systems. I speak with Professor Mark Lawler, Co-Chair of the European Cancer Organisation’s Emergencies and Crises Network, about how wars and geopolitical crises disrupt access to life-saving treatments, from chemotherapy to radiotherapy, and why low- and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable.We discuss the ripple effects of displaced patients, fragile supply chains, and delayed treatments, and hear why global preparedness and international cooperation are critical to protecting cancer care in times of crisis. From Ukraine to Africa and the Middle East, this episode sheds light on a growing humanitarian and health challenge that often goes unnoticed.Tune in to learn why cancer care cannot be sidelined—even in the midst of conflict.
S3 · E9
March 11 · 43 min
A Cosmic Laser from Eight Billion Years Ago
What happens when two galaxies collide? In this episode, science journalist Paul Adepoju speaks with astronomers Thato Manamela and Roger Deane about the discovery of one of the most distant and powerful cosmic lasers — a gigamaser — ever detected. Using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, the team identified an extraordinary signal coming from a pair of merging galaxies more than eight billion light-years away. These rare natural lasers, known as megamasers, form under extreme conditions and can act as cosmic beacons, revealing intense star formation, hidden galaxy mergers, and possibly even pairs of supermassive black holes. The discovery offers a glimpse into how galaxies evolved in the early universe and highlights the growing role of African-led astronomy ahead of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) — the world’s largest radio telescope. Adepoju also discusses the story behind the research and the reporting process behind his Nature Africa article on the discovery. 🔭 In this episode: What cosmic megamasers and gigamasers are Why galaxy collisions create powerful radio signals How the MeerKAT telescope detected this rare phenomenon What this discovery reveals about the early universe Why Africa is becoming a global hub for radio astronomy 📖 Read the full story in Nature Africa: https://www.nature.com/articles/d44148-026-00055-6
S3 · E8
March 2 · 25 min
Hotter Days, Fewer Boys? How Climate Change Is Quietly Reshaping Birth
In this episode of Paul Talks Science, Paul sits down with Dr. Jasmin Abdel Ghany to unpack groundbreaking new research showing that rising temperatures don’t just affect the planet — they affect who we are. A major study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that exposure to heat during pregnancy is linked to shifts in the sex ratio at birth. By analysing more than five million births across 33 Sub-Saharan African countries and India, the team finds that temperatures above about 20 °C are consistently associated with fewer male births — but for strikingly different reasons in each region. In Sub-Saharan Africa, heat early in pregnancy may increase prenatal loss among male fetuses. In India, heat later in pregnancy appears to influence access to or use of sex-selective abortion, temporarily narrowing long-standing gender imbalances. Listeners and viewers will discover how climate stress can shape human reproduction biologically and behaviourally, and why these hidden effects matter for population health and gender balance as the world warms.
S3 · E7
February 16 · 24 min
When the Cosmic Web Spins
What if the largest structures in the Universe aren’t just expanding — but spinning? In this episode, host Paul Adepoju explores one of the most intriguing recent developments in cosmology: evidence that a vast cosmic filament stretching tens of millions of light-years may be rotating. The conversation builds on Paul’s feature for Physics Magazine, originally developed as the winning pitch of the Quantum Pitch Competition — launched by Physics Magazine in partnership with Physics World to mark the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. His article described how astronomers detected large-scale galactic motion using radiation produced by tiny quantum “spin flips” in hydrogen atoms. Read it here. Drawing on that reporting and an in-depth interview with astrophysicist Dr. Madalina Tudorache, this episode examines how galaxies align along cosmic filaments, how neutral-hydrogen observations reveal coordinated motion, and why angular momentum at these scales is reshaping questions about galaxy formation and large-scale structure. Along the way, we connect quantum-scale measurements — the 21-centimeter hydrogen transition — to observations of the cosmic web, discuss the role of South Africa’s MeerKAT telescope in enabling the discovery, and reflect on how global collaboration and African radio-astronomy infrastructure are influencing frontier astrophysics. This episode unpacks the discovery, the physics behind it, and the broader story of how we come to understand motion across the Universe.
S3 · E6
January 19 · 38 min
AMR is Everybody's Business
Antimicrobial resistance is often framed as a technical problem for scientists and policymakers. But the truth is far simpler — and far more unsettling: the choices made in clinics, pharmacies, farms, and homes every day are helping to decide whether life-saving medicines will still work in the future. In this episode, we unpack why AMR isn’t just a laboratory or hospital issue, but a shared societal challenge. Drawing on expert insight and real-world experience, the conversation explores how misuse of antibiotics, gaps in regulation, weak infection prevention, and limited public awareness are accelerating resistance — especially in settings where access and oversight collide. Crucially, the episode also looks forward. From community awareness and responsible prescribing to hygiene, sanitation, and people-centred primary health care, it examines what practical action can look like — not in theory, but in everyday life. Because when antibiotics fail, it won’t just be health systems that feel it. It will be all of us. My guest is Dr Ali Ahmed Yahaya, Team Leader of the Antimicrobial Resistance Unit at the World Health Organization African Regional Office.
January 1 · 1 min
Special New Year Message from Paul
Thank you for the journey in 2025, here is what will be the highlight of the new year 2026. Happy New Year.
S3 · E5
Dec 29, 2025 · 21 min
Africa’s AI Talent: Supercomputers, Brain Drain, and Building Solutions at Home
Africa has the talent to power the world’s most advanced AI systems — so why is so much of that talent building elsewhere? In this episode, we sit down with a postdoctoral researcher at a US Department of Energy national laboratory working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. He breaks down what supercomputers actually do, why they matter for science and society, and how African researchers are already shaping global AI — often without the infrastructure to do so at home. From childhood curiosity and mentorship in Nigeria to working with AI, IoT, and citizen science to improve food security, this conversation explores how local knowledge, not just massive computing power, can drive innovation. We unpack Africa’s strengths in human capital, the challenges of outdated curricula and weak systems, and what it will really take to tackle brain drain, reform education, and build technology ecosystems that work locally and compete globally. This is a wide-ranging discussion on AI in Africa, supercomputing, education reform, agriculture, health systems, and the urgent need to create environments where African talent can thrive — at home.
S3 · E4
Dec 15, 2025 · 25 min
How Topology Is Changing What We See
What if the way we understand shape, space, and structure could help us see disease differently? In this episode of Paul Talks Science, I sit down with South African mathematician Dr. Cerene Rathilal to explore topology, a branch of mathematics that asks what stays the same even when things are stretched, twisted, or transformed, and why those ideas now matter far beyond the chalkboard. Cerene traces her journey into mathematics, from a childhood shaped by curiosity to the moment she realised that being good at maths was not the same as being told you could become a mathematician. We talk about the quiet ways society steers talented students away from pure mathematics, and what it means to choose a path that is not always visible or celebrated. The conversation moves from theory to impact, as Cerene explains how topological data analysis is being explored in areas such as breast cancer diagnosis, helping researchers look at medical images and data in entirely new ways. We also discuss why Africa has a growing role to play in advanced mathematical research, and how global scientific spaces can create mobility, collaboration, and confidence for African scholars. Beyond the mathematics, this episode is about representation, mentorship, and making space. Cerene shares why she founded a programme to support girls pursuing STEM careers in South Africa, and what it takes to turn personal experience into collective opportunity. This is a conversation about mathematics as a way of seeing, science as a human endeavour, and why abstract ideas often shape the real world more than we realise.
S3 · E3
Dec 8, 2025 · 22 min
Seeing Math Differently: A Ghanaian Researcher’s Awakening
In this episode, we follow the journey of Hannah, a young Ghanaian researcher whose relationship with mathematics completely transformed once she discovered where the equations finally led. From early confusion in abstract university courses to finding clarity through disease modelling, Hannah shares the moments, mentors, and opportunities that reshaped her understanding of what math can do — and who it is for. She talks openly about the gaps in math education across Africa, the power of exposure, and the role supportive supervisors played in helping her find her footing in biomedical data science. We explore how mathematical skills are opening new frontiers in health, AI, and problem-solving on the continent, and why she believes Africa’s unique challenges also represent its greatest opportunities. This is a conversation about seeing math differently, building confidence as a young researcher, and imagining a future where African mathematicians shape solutions for their own communities — and beyond.
S3 · E2
Nov 3, 2025 · 40 min
Faith, Science and Safe Medicines: A Conversation with Prof Moji Adeyeye
📌 Host: Paul Adepoju 👤 Guest: Prof. Moji Adeyeye – Director-General of NAFDAC (Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration & Control) In this episode of Paul Talks Science, I sit down with Prof. Moji Adeyeye to explore her remarkable journey from practicing pharmacist to academic, regulator and advocate, and how she’s helping transform Nigeria’s medicines landscape — especially for children. We dive into : Her reflections on the past challenges of paediatric malaria treatments and why “children are not just small adults” in drug development. The technical, environmental and regulatory hurdles of developing medicines that children will actually accept — and that can survive real-world conditions in low-resource settings. How NAFDAC is leveraging cutting-edge technology like GS1 track-&-trace and advanced detection devices to fight fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria’s open drug markets. The trade-offs regulators face between speeding access (as seen during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout) and maintaining trust, safety and thorough review. Her faith-inspired work supporting children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and the broader intersection of medicine, ethics and public health. Her vision for Nigeria: “Made in Nigeria, sold all over the world” — with quality, safety and efficacy at its core. 📖 Further reading: I recently wrote a deeper piece for Devex titled “Can Africa’s drug regulators be both fast and trusted?” which draws on this conversation and broader regulatory trends across the continent. Check it out: https://www.devex.com/news/can-africa-s-drug-regulators-be-both-fast-and-trusted-111147 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe and hit the notification bell so you won’t miss future episodes where we bring together science, policy, innovation and human stories. 👇 Share your thoughts in the comments: What was the most surprising insight for you from this conversation? What do you think it will take to build regulatory systems in Africa that are both fast and trusted?

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