Obama Appoints Nigerian Into Key Post as US National Cancer Advisory Board Member

A Nigerian, Dr. Olufunmilayo Falusi Olopade, was  among six individuals appointed into key administration posts yesterday by United States President Barack Obama.

A statement by the White House Thursday said Olopade, who is the Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics, Associate Dean for Global Health, and Director of the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics at the University of Chicago,  had been appointed by President Obama as a member of US National Cancer Advisory Board.



Olopade, who is an authority on cancer risk assessment, prevention, and individualized treatment based on risk factors and quality of life, is also a practicing clinician and director of the University’s Cancer Risk Clinic.

A recipient of numerous professional honors and awards, including the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship,  ASCO Young Investigator Award, James S. McDonnell Foundation Scholar Award, and the Doris Duke Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award, the White House said: "She also works with educators, doctors, government officials and pharmaceutical companies to improve access to quality education and
medical care in low-income communities.

Olopade holds an M.B.B.S. from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, did her residency in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Chicago. Others appointed into key administration posts by the US President include Thelma Duggin, member, Board of Trustees of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Marcia Cruz-Correa, member, National Cancer Advisory Board; Kevin J. Cullen, member, National Cancer Advisory Board; Olufunmilayo Falusi Olopade, member, National Cancer Advisory Board; Jonathan M. Samet, member, National Cancer Advisory Board; and  Bill Sellers, member, National Cancer Advisory Board.

Announcing the appointment, Obama said: “These dedicated individuals bring a wealth of experience and talent to their new roles and I am proud to have them serve in this Administration. I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

Source: ThisDay