Boluwatife Olu Afolabi

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Boluwatife Olu Afolabi
BornSeptember 25, 1993
Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
EducationChrist School, Ado Ekiti; Citadel International College
Known forResearch on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
TitlePresident of the Council of Graduate Students
Scientific career
FieldsMolecular biology, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences
InstitutionsUniversity of Minnesota Twin Cities

Boluwatife Olu Afolabi; born September 25, 1993, is a Nigerian dental surgeon..[1], molecular biologist, poet [2], and graduate student leader [3][4]. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where he serves as President of the Council of Graduate Students [5]. His research focus is on the molecular mechanisms of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), particularly investigating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway and inflammatory protein regulation [6].

Early life and education

Afolabi was born on September 25 in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, the youngest of three children [3]. He attended Christ School in Ado Ekiti for his Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSCE) from 2004 to 2007, followed by Citadel International College in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State, for his Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) from 2007 to 2010 [4].

Undergraduate education

Afolabi gained admission to the University of Ibadan to study Dentistry and Dental Surgery [7]. He served as President of the Action Group on Adolescent Health (AGAH) [8] and the Quills Literary Club at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

He was a recipient of the Nigerian Federal Government Scholarship (2014), the NNPC/Addax Petroleum Development National Merit Scholarship Award (2014) [9], and the Total National Merit Award . Afolabi completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree in 2019. During his undergraduate studies, he began contributing to dental and medical research, publishing a review article on periodontitis as a risk factor for oral cancer in 2017 [10] and participating as an early researcher in the "Household Adult Oral Health Survey [11]," a project funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Unit .

Doctoral education

In 2022, Afolabi enrolled in the PhD program in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where he is expected to complete his doctorate in 2027 [12][13]. His doctoral research is conducted under the supervision of Professor Mark Herzberg [14] and Dr. Chong Wang, focusing on the molecular biology of head and neck cancers [3].

Academic career

Research

Afolabi's research centers on understanding the mechanisms driving head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a cancer that claimed approximately 450,000 lives globally in 2020 [15]. His work investigates the relationship between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and calprotectin (S100A8/A9 proteins) in HNSCC progression and development [16].

His research employs advanced molecular biology techniques, including CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, epigenetic analysis, RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction), Western blot analysis, and cell culture using HNSCC cell lines such as TR146 and SCC58 [3]. Afolabi has also conducted studies on AHR gene knockout to understand the receptor's role in regulating inflammatory proteins associated with cancer progression.

CTSI Fellowship

In 2023, Afolabi was selected for the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Fellowship at the University of Minnesota, specifically the Advanced Pathways to Research Program (A-PReP) [17]. He worked with Dr. Irina Stepanov [18], a Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Mayo Professor in Public Health [19]. His research during this fellowship employed Liquid Chromatography–High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) with electrospray ionization to analyze Areca Nut and Gutkha commercial products, identifying approximately 149 previously unknown chemical constituents that may contribute to oral cancer development [20].

Presentations and conferences

Afolabi has presented his research at major scientific conferences [21][22]. In 2024, he presented both a poster and an oral presentation on "The Regulation of Calprotectin (S100A8/A9) by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)" at the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR)/International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana . For this work, he was awarded second place in the research competition at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Research and Discovery Day [23][1]. He also presented at the Mini Symposium for Young Investigators at the 2024 AADOCR conference [24]. In 2024 and 2025, Afolabi served as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Minnesota's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Leadership and advocacy

Council of Graduate Students

In 2024, Afolabi became the President of the Council of Graduate Students (COGS) at the University of Minnesota for the 2024-2025 academic year, and was re-elected to serve the 2025-2026 term [5]. COGS represents approximately 16,000 graduate and professional students across the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus [25].

Literary works

Poetry

Afolabi is a poet and essayist. His debut poetry chapbook, The Cartographer of Memory, was published by the Sankofa Initiative (SankofaMag) in September 2017 [26]. The collection explores themes of memory, grief, love, and violence, addressing both personal experiences and collective human tragedies [27].

The Cartographer of Memory received widespread critical acclaim. Poet and critic Tade Ipadeola, author of The Sahara Testaments, praised the work, stating: "The poems here are shaped by a vigilant intelligence and an astute understanding of what matters. They have an emotional depth to them that belie the age or experience of the poet [28]

Afolabi's poetry has been published in various literary journals and magazines, including Commonwealth Foundation[29], The Muse Journal [30], Saraba Magazine [31], Arts and Africa [32], YNaija [33], Adda Magazine [2], Kalahari Review [34], Nigeria News Direct [35], and African Writers [36]. In June 2017, he was listed on NantyGreens.com as one of the top ten emerging Nigerian poets to read [37]

He was a pioneer Poetry Editor at Agbowo [38], and a co-founder of ArtsnChill.

Recognition

In 2018, Afolabi was shortlisted for the Babishai Niwe African Prize for Poetry.[39][40]. His work has been reviewed in various literary publications and blogs , with critics noting his ability to bridge scientific rigor with creative expression and his talent for combining data-driven research with broader societal themes [37]

Honors and awards

Academic scholarships

  • Nigerian Federal Government Scholarship Award (2014)
  • NNPC/Addax Petroleum Development National Merit Scholarship Award (2014) [9]
  • Total National Merit Award (Agbami Scholarship) (2014)
  • Third Best Graduating Student, Citadel International College (2010)

Research awards

  • Second Place, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Research and Discovery Day (2024) [1]
  • Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Fellowship, University of Minnesota (2023) [17]
  • Second Place, 3-Minute Thesis Competition (2024)[41]

Personal life

Afolabi is married and currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is fluent in English, Yoruba, and Nigerian Pidgin English.[42]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Poster presentations showcase student excellence at Research Day". School of Dentistry | University of Minnesota. 2025-04-15. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Boluwatife Afolabi". adda. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Pioneering Cancer Research: Dr. Boluwatife Olu Afolabi's Quest for Breakthrough Treatments – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Amos (2025-03-04). "Boluwatife Olu Afolabi: Bridging science and innovation in head, neck cancer research". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Executive Committee". COGS @ UMN. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  6. ↑ "Regulation of Calprotectin by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in HNSCC IADR Abstract Archives". iadr.abstractarchives.com. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  7. ↑ "COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN". ui.edu.ng. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  8. ↑ agahibadan (2019-06-25). "A New Dawn & The Bowing out of Legends". AGAH-Ibadan. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "NNPC/ADDAX PETROLEUM 2012/2013 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD'S APTITUDE TEST". Medical World Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  10. ↑ "‪Chronic Periodontitis: A Risk for Oral Cancer‬". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  11. ↑ "S-EPMC10492367 - Oral health in an urban slum, Nigeria: residents' perceptions, practices and care-seeking experiences. - OmicsDI". www.omicsdi.org. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  12. ↑ "School of Dentistry community gains insights, accolades at annual conferences". School of Dentistry | University of Minnesota. 2024-12-01. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  13. ↑ "Dentistry learners win awards for research | University of Minnesota School of Dentistry posted on the topic | LinkedIn". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  14. ↑ "Mark Herzberg, DDS, PhD". School of Dentistry | University of Minnesota. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  15. ↑ Sung, Hyuna; Ferlay, Jacques; Siegel, Rebecca L.; Laversanne, Mathieu; Soerjomataram, Isabelle; Jemal, Ahmedin; Bray, Freddie (2021). "Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries". CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 71 (3): 209–249. doi:10.3322/caac.21660. ISSN 1542-4863. PMID 33538338.
  16. ↑ "Poster presentations showcase student excellence at Research Day". School of Dentistry | University of Minnesota. 2025-04-15. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Twenty-two scholars join CTSI's 2023 summer research training programs". Clinical and Translational Science Institute - University of Minnesota. Archived from the original on 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  18. ↑ "Advanced Pathways to Research Program (A-PReP) | Clinical and Translational Science Institute - University of Minnesota". ctsi.umn.edu. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  19. ↑ "Irina Stepanov, PhD | School of Public Health Directory". directory.sph.umn.edu. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  20. ↑ Afolabi, Boluwatife; Yershova, Katrina; Villalta, Peter W.; Stepanov, Irina (2025-01-12). "Untargeted Analysis of Areca Nut and Gutkha Commercial Products". ScienceOpen Posters. doi:10.14293/P2199-8442.1.SOP-.PQ6ZUV.v1.
  21. ↑ "MSYI 2025". MSYI 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-03-11. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  22. ↑ "Madridge Publishers | Journal of Dentistry and Oral Surgery". madridge.org. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  23. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  24. ↑ "Young Investigators Oral Health Symposium 2024 | PDF | Medical Specialties | Clinical Medicine". Scribd. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  25. ↑ "COGS General Assembly | Graduate School". grad.umn.edu. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  26. ↑ "The Cartographer of Memory: A Review". The Afro Reader. 2018-02-15. Archived from the original on 2024-11-03. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  27. ↑ oumissa_inspire (2017-12-21). "Book Reviews With Oumissa 5: The Cartographer of Memory by Boluwatife Afolabi". Oumissa Inspire. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  28. ↑ "The Cartographer of Memory". Goodreads. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  29. ↑ Foundation, Commonwealth (2018-03-26). "25 Notes on Becoming by Boluwatife Afolabi". Commonwealth Foundation. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  30. ↑ Muse, The (2024-01-02). "Grief is a thing with feathers | Boluwatife Olu Afolabi". THE MUSE JOURNAL. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  31. ↑ "A Game of Numbers | Saraba Magazine". 2017-03-04. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  32. ↑ Africa, Arts And (2017-08-22). "Healing is a woman". Arts and Africa. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  33. ↑ Edihtor, Op-ed (2017-02-06). "Poetry: To love is to die » YNaija". YNaija. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  34. ↑ Review, The Kalahari (2017-01-03). "Dehiscence". Medium. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  35. ↑ "UPON CONVERSING WITH ADONAI ON MOUNT SATHURAI - Nigeriannewsdirectcom". Nigeriannewsdirectcom. 2020-12-04. Archived from the original on 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  36. ↑ Boluwatife, Afolabi (2016-06-13). "A Song of Colours: Poems by Afolabi Boluwatife". AfricanWriter.com. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Otua, Debbie (2017-06-26). "10 Young Nigerian Poets You Should Be Reading in 2017 -". Nantygreens. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  38. ↑ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (2021-09-13). "Inside a Nigerian Literary and Arts Hub". Open Country Mag. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  39. ↑ "35 Poets Longlisted for the 2018 Babishai-Niwe Poetry Award". Brittle Paper. 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  40. ↑ Nsengiyunva, Beverley Nambozo (2018-07-24). "Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation: #BABISHAI2018 SHORTLIST: BOLUWATIFE AFOLABI". Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  41. ↑ "3-Minute Thesis: 2024 College-Level Competition was issued by University of Minnesota to Boluwatife Afolabi". Credly. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  42. ↑ "BOLUWATIFE OLU AFOLABI". BOLUWATIFE OLU AFOLABI. Retrieved 2025-10-28.

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