In a remarkable stride toward combating breast cancer, Nigerian researcher, Dr. Oluwatoyin Veronica Odubanjo, has spearheaded groundbreaking advancements in the field of breast cancer research within the United States. With her pioneering work, Odubanjo stands at the forefront of efforts to unravel the mysteries surrounding this prevalent disease.
Odubanjo, a distinguished scientist with a rich academic background, has made exceptional advances in the field of science. Born and raised in Akure, Ondo State, Odubanjo received her primary and secondary education locally before pursuing her undergraduate studies at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. She furthered her education with graduate studies (MSc and Ph.D.) at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.
Before relocating to the United States in 2021, Odubanjo served as a university professor and researcher at Adekunle Ajasin University, where she laid the groundwork for her illustrious career in scientific inquiry.
In her current role as a research assistant/adjunct professor at the Department of Biology, Jackson State University, USA, she specialises in investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tumour development, particularly focusing on breast cancer.
One of Odubanjo’s groundbreaking research studies that garnered significant attention was presented at the 16th American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference in Orlando, Florida, USA, in October 2023. Her research focused on targeting the Bai1-driven signaling pathway as a therapeutic approach for breast cancer treatment. Odubanjo’s study shed light on the role of the brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (Bai1) in myoblast fusion and its implications for breast cancer metastasis.
Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women globally, with black women experiencing higher mortality rates compared to white women. Odubanjo’s study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms driving this survival disparity. She hypothesized that the Bai1 activation-driven induction of the Elmo1/Dock 180/Rac1 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in breast cancer cell fusion-driven tumour heterogeneity and metastasis.
Odubanjo’s research revealed that breast cancer cells isolated from black women are more prone to fuse with other cells in the body than cells isolated from white women. Moreover, inhibiting Bai1 significantly reduced the frequency of fusion across all breast cancer cell lines tested. These findings suggest that targeting the Bai1 mechanism could pave the way for new drug development tactics for breast cancer treatment.
Odubanjo’s groundbreaking study was published on December 1, 2023, in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prevention, marking a significant milestone in the field of breast cancer research.
As Dr. Oluwatoyin Veronica Odubanjo continues to forge ahead in her quest to combat breast cancer, her unwavering commitment and pioneering spirit serve as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and the potential to effect positive change on a global scale. With each milestone achieved, she reinforces the notion that excellence knows no boundaries and that the pursuit of knowledge transcends geographic and cultural divides.
