My name is Fatima Abubakar Rasheed, I’m originally from Kaduna, Nigeria. I obtained my medical degree in Nigeria, followed by a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, which shaped my passion for women’s health and cancer care. I am currently a PhD candidate in my first year in the program of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine where I focus on Spatial genomics in cancer and molecular biology. My research explores Spatial genomics of rare ovarian cancers in African women, with the goal of uncovering population-specific molecular patterns that can guide earlier detection and precision therapies.
I became interested in this work after witnessing how women in our communities are dying in the prime of their lives from aggressive ovarian cancer subtypes that are often labelled rare globally—but are alarmingly common in African settings. The lack of genomic data and the burden of late-stage diagnoses make this a pressing challenge. The Centre for Global Black Studies awarded me with the Summer Research Fellowship Grant in February 2024 to enable me to design this study aimed at understanding the genomic drivers of rare ovarian cancers amongst African women which is crucial for developing effective therapies. I remain committed to advancing inclusive science, mentorship, and equity in women’s health care.
