Solomon O. Rotimi, PhD is a Professor of Clinical Biochemistry, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, and Research Coordinator at the Covenant Applied Informatics and World-Bank Funded Communication African Centre of Excellence (CApIC-ACE). In addition, he is the Co-Principal Investigator for the NIH/National Cancer Institute Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program (EGRP) supported Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC) (https://thecaptc.org), a Field Genomics Expert with the Lagos State Biobank, and a Visiting Consultant for the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment in Nigeria. His research program, primarily funded by the National Cancer Institute, Department of Defense (DoD), and World Bank, is dedicated to identifying the interplay and intersection between biological, social, and environmental determinants of cancer disparities, particularly prostate cancer among Black populations.
He has led many research projects, including studies on genomic and inflammatory pathways in prostate cancer among African men, the impact of vitamin D deficiency on the biology of prostate cancer in Black cells, and the molecular impacts of environmental toxicants like aflatoxin B1 on health. His work has produced critical insights into how genomic diversity and environmental exposures interact to influence cancer incidence and progression in Black populations, providing a foundation for personalized interventions for risk stratification and improving clinical outcomes aimed at ethically diverse Black populations. He is deeply committed to advancing cancer genomics and health equity across Black populations on both sides of the Atlantic. This commitment led to establishing biorepositories across multiple African institutions under CaPTC, enabling sustainable, high-quality cancer research focused on underserved African populations.
His role as Co-Chair of the Research Committee for the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) allowed him to advocate for and implement initiatives in cancer genomics training and capacity building. Recognized with awards such as the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Fellowship and the African Cancer Researchers Travel Award from the American Association for Cancer Research, his work in global health equity is both professionally and personally significant. In addition to his research contributions, he is dedicated to community and policy engagement, developing localized interventions that integrate genomic, environmental, and social determinants of health. This has led to funding support from the US Department of Defense office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs for the Establishment of an Inclusive Cancer Care Research Equity (iCCaRE) for Black Men Consortium (https://iccare4blackmen.org), in which he is one of the MPIs.
Through his role with the Lagos State Biobank and Nigerian National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, he contributes to genomic policy formation while supporting clinical trials and translational research that aim to increase Black representation in biomedical research. His efforts in training African scientists and healthcare professionals in cancer genomics and clinical research underscore his commitment to fostering sustainable, impactful cancer research infrastructure in Africa. Overall, Solomon Rotimi brings extensive experience in multi-disciplinary collaboration, genomic research on health disparities, and strategic leadership in cancer health equity. His dedication to reducing cancer disparities globally, with a particular focus on African and African-American communities, aligns with his personal and professional commitment to improving health outcomes for these underserved populations.
