Akinyemi Ojesina

Akinyemi Ojesina, MD, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), where he leads the Oncopathogenomics Laboratory. His research focuses on how microbial interactions with human genetic changes influence cancer development, progression, and treatment response, leveraging genomic analyses and experimental models across multi-ethnic populations. Key areas include infection-related cancers, tumor microbiome dynamics, and translational applications in precision oncology.

Education:

• MD with Distinction in Biochemistry, University of Ibadan College of Medicine, Nigeria
• PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health, Harvard University
• Postdoctoral Fellowship (Damon Runyon Fellow), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Broad Institute

Research Interests: His work spans genomic characterization of atypical cervical cancers, microbial determinants of cancer prognosis, and race/ethnicity-related tumor microbiome profiles. He develops diagnostic biomarkers and predictive models for cancers with global health impact, particularly in low-resource settings.

Recent Work Trends: Publications highlight cervical cancer cell culture models, mismatch repair biomarkers, gut microbiota-estrogen interactions, and polygenic risk scores for post-transplant cognitive impairment. His studies bridge basic science and clinical oncology, emphasizing translational impact.

Grants & Leadership:

• NIH/NCI-funded grant on extrachromosomal HPV tumor markers
• Leadership roles in TCGA Cervical Cancer Working Group, NCI HIV+ Tumor Project, and Cervical Cancer Clinical Trials Workgroup

Labs & Teams: The Oncopathogenomics Lab integrates metatranscriptomics, computational biology, and clinical oncology to address unmet needs in women’s cancers and global health.