Team

Dr. Mohammed and her team of researchers at the Mohammed Laboratory are developing resources and reagents to reduce racial cancer disparities.

Sulma Mohammed, DVM, PhD Professor, Cancer Biology View Profile

Sulma Mohammed, DVM, PhD Bio

Sulma Mohammed, DVM, PhD

Professor, Cancer Biology

Sulma Ibrahim Mohammed, DVM, MS, Ph.D., an expert in an animal model for breast cancer, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy for cancer, is a professor of cancer biology at the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Veterinary School of Medicine, and Purdue Center for Cancer Research. Dr. Mohammed also serves as an adjunct professor of microbiology and immunology at Indiana University School of medicine.

Mohammed is a medical scientist whose research addresses cancer health racial disparity. Her research focuses on (1) Characterization of an immunocompetent animal model resource for triple-negative breast cancer, and investigation of immune-preventative and immunotherapeutic approaches such as vaccines and CAR T therapy; (2) Studying mechanisms of cancer dissemination through the lymphatic system; (3) Studying the biology of triple-negative breast cancer, and (4) Addressing cervical cancer inequality and development of point-of-care-test. Her research and publications made a national and international presence, won many awards, and secured funds for further studies.

Dr. Mohammed's innovative work in cancer research has been honored with the prestigious Walther Cancer Research Institute, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)-Cancer Research Foundation of America Fellowship in Prevention Research, NCI/NIH Fellowship, and Zoetis research awards. She also received numerous awards for her outstanding commitment and leadership in her continuous efforts to fight cancer in Africa, such as the 2016 African Diaspora Ambassador Award by Harvard Global Health Catalyst. In addition, she has received the 2020 Faculty Engagement Award and a letter of recognition for my seminal engagement from the Board of Trustees of Purdue University. Also, as a result of her applied research and engagement initiatives, Dr. Mohammed has received numerous awards for her outstanding commitment and leadership in fighting cancer in Africa. Among these awards are the "2010 Leadership in the Field of Breast Cancer and Health Awareness Award", "2011 Leading the Way in Breast Cancer Research; You Made a Difference", "2016 African Diaspora Ambassador Award" by Harvard Global Health Catalyst, and the 2016 Pillar of Support Award for a Decade of Support and Personal Commitment to Stop Cancer in Africa by African First Ladies. Dr. Mohammed was also a two-time nominee for the American Association of Cancer Research Distinguished Lecture on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities. Recently, she was selected as Purdue University 2022 Distinguished Woman Scholar.

Dr. Mohammed received her Doctoral of Veterinary Medicine from Khartoum University, Sudan, her Master's degree from Cornell University, and a Ph.D. degree from Purdue University.

Xavier Ramos Cardona Graduate Research Assistant

Samrin Habbani Graduate Research Assistant View Profile

Laura Ribas Graduate Research Assistant

Mohammed Lab Alumni

Postdoctoral Research Associate Mentoring

1. Benjamin Slentz
2. Junyu Li
3. Kowalski Kevin
4. Stoyanov AV
5. Elisabetta Antuofermo
6. Giovanni P Burrai
7. MiRan Kim
8. Amany Elamin 

Graduate Students

1. Odalys Torres Luquis
2. Krystal Madden
3. Noor Hussain
4. Pamela Mouser

High School Students

1. Anu Bhargava (August 2004- May 2005). West Lafayette J/S High School, West Lafayette, IN
2. Manaz Rusi Taleyarkhan (June 2004 – June 2006). Jefferson High School, Lafayette, IN
3. Mohit Agrawal (June 2006 - August 2006). West Lafayette J/S High School, West Lafayette, IN
4. Khaliefa El Megermid (July 2016 - September 2016). Doha, Qatar

Professional Mentorships

1. Nazik Hammad, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Departments of Oncology and Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada. Program Director of Medical Oncology Residency Training Program
2. Mariam Antebi, MD, Breast Surgical Oncologist, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
3. Lilly Gutnik, MD, Breast Surgical Oncologist, University of Utah, Salt lake City, UT
4. Dafalla Abuidris, MD, Director of Khartoum Cancer Center, Khartoum, Sudan

IU Medical Students

1. Hans Lee, 2004 - 2005
2. Lyla Saeed, 2005 - 2006
3. Mallery Rachel Neff, 2006 - 2007
4. Rachel Kochert, 2007 - 2008
5. Amanda Patch, 2008 - 2009
6. Lauren Hutton, 2009 - 2010

DVM Students’ Summer Research Program

1. Carolyn Grimes (2004). Merck DVM Summer Research Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
2. Erica Taylor (2005). Merck DVM Summer Research Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
3. Heather Kutras (2008). Merck DVM Summer Research Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Undergraduate Students (SROP, LSAMP and Others)

1. Charles Geneczko (May 2003– August 2003), Kalamazoo University, Kalamazoo, MI
2. Hildert Rochon (June 2004- May 2005), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
3. Hammam Nour (August 2005- May 2006), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
4. Priscilla Herron (May 2005 August 2005), MARC/AIM Minority Summer Research Program, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
5. Lauren Horton (January 2006 – May 2006), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
6. Krystal Madden (May 2006- August 2006), MARC/AIM Minority Summer Research Program, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
7. Patricia Odom (May 2007- August 2007), MARC/AIM Minority Summer Research Program, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
8. Brittney Demas (August 2009 – May 2010), Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
9. Shelly Hughes (August 2012- May 2013), Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
10. Frank Zhu (May 2010 – May 2012), Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
11. Gayatri Narayanan (May 2010 - May 2012), Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
12. Odalys Torres Luquis (May 2014 –August 2014), SROP Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, IN
13. Micah Kassakhun (May 2014 - August 2015), LSAMP, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
14. Jennifer Thystrup (May 2013 - May 2014), Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
15. Megan Gray (May 2015 - December 2016), Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
16. Cortney Williford (August 2015 – May 2016), LSAMP, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
17. Nicole Gonzales (June 2016 - May 2017), Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
18. Somaia Abdelmageed (August 2016 - December 2016), Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette IN
19. Maya Brooks (June 2017 - July 2017), SROP Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
20. Hibatalla Fadul (June 2017 - Present), LSAMP, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
21. Nsanh N’Dri (January 2017 - Present), LSAMP, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

International Medical Students

1. Sara Tiesir (August 2012 - December 2013), Khartoum University, Sudan
2. Ayman El haj (January 2014 - September 2014), University of Medical Sciences, Sudan