Dr. Akinyemiju is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology with expertise in epidemiologic methods, translational research, health disparities, and global health. Her research interests focus on identifying the impact of social factors (such as access to healthcare) and biological factors (such as metabolic dysregulation) on cancer-related risk, tumor aggressiveness, and survival. She has a specific interest in understanding the causes of cancer disparities among women of African descent in the US and sub-Saharan Africa, given their significantly higher risk of aggressive cancer subtypes relative to other racial groups. To achieve these research aims, she utilizes data from population-based cancer registries, administrative claims, and existing cohort studies. Dr. Akinyemiju also leads several primary epidemiologic research studies. She is the PI of a Fogarty/NCI K01-funded MEND study- a case-control study of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Nigeria designed to elucidate the impact of metabolic dysregulation, highly prevalent due to the epidemiologic transition, on hormone-receptor negative breast cancer subtypes and associated epigenetic mechanisms. In addition, Dr. Akinyemiju leads an R01 study designed to characterize racial differences across multiple healthcare access dimensions among US ovarian cancer patients, and to evaluate the impact of differential healthcare on quality of initial and supportive treatment and on quality of life. A parallel line of research focuses on identifying lifestyle intervention strategies to improve metabolic health among breast cancer patients as a mortality prevention strategy. Dr. Akinyemiju is also passionate about promoting inclusion and diversity in research, teaching, and service, and serves as the Director for Diversity and Inclusion at the Duke University Department of Population Health Sciences.