PVM Researcher Shares Insights about African Cancer Research on Global Cancer Information Website

February 21, 2020

The online platform ecancer, which seeks to raise the standards of care for cancer patients across the world through education, recently posted a video of an interview with Dr. Sulma Mohammed, professor of cancer biology in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology. Dr. Mohammed discussed the state of cancer research in Africa and explained her passion for African cancer research that has led her to play an active role over a dozen years in a major conference addressing cancer on the continent.

Her video is part of ecancer’s coverage of the 12th International Conference on Cancer in Africa, which was hosted by the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) in Maputo, Mozambique last November. With the theme, “Cancer in Africa: Innovation, Strategies, Implementation,” the 2019 AORTIC Conference focused on cancer control in Africa, and featured an in-depth scientific program with local, African, and internationally-renowned keynote speakers. Dr. Mohammed chaired a session during the conference entitled “Cancer Biology from the Bench to Bedside.”

During her interview with ecancer, Dr. Mohammed noted that the conference was primarily patient-oriented. “I’m an advocate for cancer research in Africa. We know that in Africa we don’t have much cancer research,” Dr. Mohammed explained, adding that she is advocating to have basic science research in every country on the continent. She pointed out that currently, all the medicine is being developed and tested on people in more developed areas of the world, where people live different lives than people in Africa. “We need to identify our own markers, like in our indigenous people. And accordingly, we can develop our own medicine that can fit our own people.”

During her interview, which was posted on the ecancer website February 5, Dr. Mohammed also described current challenges facing cancer research in African countries, where she said treatment is valued more than investment in science. Noting that many of the 2019 AORTIC Conference attendees were clinicians, Dr. Mohammed expressed her hope that more research scientists from around the world will participate in the future. Last year was the 12^th year that Dr. Mohammed led a session at the conference.

Click here to view Dr. Mohammed’s ecancer interview. Click here for more information on the AORTIC Conference.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Taco ’bout our amazing people!

With the conclusion of the summer season rapidly approaching, faculty and staff at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine were treated to a taco luncheon on Friday, August 14 in appreciation of their excellence and dedication throughout the year. Though the event couldn't take place in the Lynn Hall Courtyard as originally planned, the rainy weather that day did not dampen the celebration of the college's incredible faculty and staff.

Reception honors visiting Japanese DVM and veterinary technology students

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s partnership with two veterinary schools in Japan was the basis for a celebratory reception at the end of last week, as the college honored visiting students from Kitasato University and Rakuno Gakuen University. The eight member delegation included four DVM students and a faculty member from Kitasato University and two veterinary nursing students and a faculty member from Rakuno Gakuen University. The reception on Friday morning, August 14, served as an informal farewell and included a brief recognition program when each of the Japanese visitors received a commemorative certificate.

ADDL and CPB Department welcome new pathology residents and intern

A trio of veterinary graduates started their pathology residencies at Purdue Veterinary Medicine this summer while a fourth veterinarian began a pathology internship in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. This newest class of students pursuing post-DVM training in pathology includes Purdue veterinary alumni and graduates of universities abroad.

PVM Team Shares Collaborative Approach at National Advancement Conference

When alumni and donors choose to invest their time, talents, and resources in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, they typically are not focusing on departments or organizational charts—they're thinking about the college they love. That simple idea was the foundation of a presentation delivered by Julia Wickard, executive director of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association and constituent liaison, and April Shepherd, PVM’s senior director of development, at the Association of Veterinary Advancement Professionals (AVAP) Annual Meeting, which was held July 8-10, just prior to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Annual Convention in Anaheim, California.

“Paws Up” for Lanora Lannan – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we are happy to highlight Lanora Lannan, who is the client liaison for Small Animal Primary Care.