H3Africa Spotlights

Ms. Temilola Yusuf is a study coordinator for the H3Africa’s African Female Breast Cancer Epidemiology (AFBRECANE) Project (PI: Prof. Clement Adebamowo). A multi-site project in Nigeria, AFBRECANE is a case-cohort study of genomic and epidemiological risk factors of molecular subtypes of breast cancer in African women. It also explores new diagnostic, predictive and prognostic methods within the continuum of care of breast cancer patients.
Temilola holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Pharmacology & Therapeutics from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye and University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria respectively. She has received extensive trainings and has vast hands-on experience in epidemiology, genomics, bioethics and qualitative studies. Her core areas of interest lie in pharmacoepidemiology and genomics of non-communicable diseases particularly cancer and malaria as well as ethical conduct of biomedical research.
She is presently a Research Associate at the Center for Bioethics and Research (CBR), Ibadan, Nigeria, where she is progressively building a career in Pharmacogenomics and Bioethics. Prior to AFBRECANE, she was part of the INDIGENE study team and coordinated the Moderate Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health (MACH15) Trial in Nigeria. You can reach Temilola via temilolayusuf@bioethicscenter.net; +234 806 165 1175.

I have worked in the field of nursing for over 19 years in various areas, both community health and urban facilities.

Prior joining Baylor Clinical Centre of Excellence in 2006, I worked at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital (RFMH-a regional hospital) in the Community Department for 12 years; focusing on Primary Health Care (PHC) services. During this period the institution partnered with UNICEF to roll out the Prevention of Mother-To-Child-Transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT) Program to the community. The rural health care facility I worked at during that time became one of three to pilot this program following a two-week training on PMTCT. It was at this time the journey of training and involvement in HIV/AIDS issues began and how it has evolved in my career.
I was part of the inaugural staff when Baylor-Swaziland opened in 2006,employed as a nurse providing a range of services that included:Pre and Post test counseling, perform HIV testing using Rapid testing, Dry Blood Spot(DBS)-DNA PCR(for infants at 6/52 and at specified intervals

In November 2009 (to-date), I was appointed as Nurse Manager providing oversight for nursing and support staff in all the Baylor clinics.
In January 2016 I was appointed by the PI to be the Study Coordinator for the Collaborative African Genomics Network (CAfGEN) Study in January 2016.It’s been a great experience running the two offices and have embraced the opportunity afforded to me.I gained in-depth knowledge in research than I ever thought.
I am passionate about the nursing profession and the growth and experience gained over the years. I take pleasure in empowering people both at work and outside work. I am a result-driven person and motivated by good health outcomes which is my fulfillment.