SUMMARY
Folakemi T. Odedina, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized cancer researcher and academic leader. Dr. Odedina's research, education, training and community outreach activities have focused on addressing health differences in communities of various cultural and demographic backgrounds. She has led global research programs for decades, mainly funded by the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Focus areas
Dr. Odedina's research focuses on developing cost-effective, community-based behavioral intervention programs to address prostate cancer in Black men.
As a behavioral scientist, Dr. Odedina conducts behavioral research across the translational continuum to test behavioral models, confirm who will benefit from behavioral interventions, and examine how to deliver interventions in all settings.
Through her research, Dr. Odedina has:
- Developed and validated behavioral models to understand why people do or don't adopt certain health interventions.
- Tested and adapted numerous interventions, including behavioral clinical trials.
- Worked with community health workers to implement health intervention programs in a variety of community settings worldwide.
Dr. Odedina's specific focus areas of research in Black men include:
- Transatlantic roots of prostate cancer differences.
- Prostate cancer care and survivorship models.
- Vaccine approaches.
- Improved global health opportunities.
- Global oncology research.
- Expanding access in clinical trials.
- Training future scientists from backgrounds underserved in biomedical research.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Odedina creates community programs that target prostate cancer in Black men to improve health at every stage of care. This includes prevention, screening, early detection, treatment and survivorship. Her goal is to make care more affordable and help people live healthier, longer lives. Dr. Odedina also wants to improve and broaden healthcare access for everyone.
Professional highlights
- Mayo Clinic:
- Director, Global Health Equity Initiatives, Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement Research, 2021-present.
- Florida associate director, Global Health Equity Initiatives, Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement Research, 2021-present.
- Artificial Intelligence-Machine Learning Enablement Award, Center for Digital Health and Office of Health Equity and Inclusion, with support from Dalio Philanthropies, 2026.
- African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer:
- Chair, research committee, 2020-present.
- Williams Award for Innovation in Cancer Care in Africa, 2017.
- Co-director, African Clinical Trials Consortium, 2019-present.
- Member, advisory team, Prostate Cancer Disparities Advisory Group, American Cancer Society, 2019-present.
- Director, Research Core, Florida Health Equity Research Institute, 2013-present.
- Principal investigator and founder, Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium, National Cancer Institute, 2005-present.
- Member, Minorities in Cancer Research Council, American Association for Cancer Research, 2020-2023.
- Living Legend Award for innovations with health/economic impact, Africa Clinical Trial Summit, 2017.
- Inspiring Women in STEM Award, Insight into Diversity, 2016.