Dr. Olufunmilayo I. Olopade

Dr. Olufunmilayo I. Olopade, MD, is an internationally recognized medical oncologist and physician–scientist specializing in hereditary and familial breast cancer. She is the Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics at the University of Chicago and serves as Director of the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics and Global Health. Dr. Olopade earned her medical degree from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, completed residency training in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, and pursued fellowship training in hematology and oncology at the University of Chicago. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology and is regarded as a global leader in cancer genetics.

Dr. Olopade’s research has focused on the molecular genetics of breast cancer, with groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and their impact in diverse populations. She has led international collaborations to improve genetic testing and early detection in women at high risk, particularly in underrepresented and underserved communities. Her scholarship has redefined approaches to personalized prevention and has informed policies expanding access to genetic services worldwide.

In addition to her research and clinical work, Dr. Olopade is a respected educator and mentor. She has trained a generation of clinicians and scientists in oncology and genetics and has served in leadership positions on numerous national and international advisory boards. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine and has received multiple awards for her contributions to cancer genetics and global oncology. Through her pioneering research, mentorship, and advocacy, Dr. Olufunmilayo Olopade continues to shape the field of hereditary cancer and global health.