Temitope O. Keku, PhD

Biography

Dr. Keku carries out translational research that combines basic science with epidemiology to gain a better understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of GI diseases. Her research interests are: genetic and molecular epidemiology of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer; assessment of the contribution of genetic and non-genetic factors to colon cancer susceptibility; identification of germ-line or tumor characteristics associated with cancer risk and clinical outcomes (response to therapy and survival); identification of novel biomarkers for early detection to define risk groups for prevention; cancer health disparities; understand the role of gut microflora in etiology of colorectal cancer. Dr. Keku also has research interests in IBS. She collaborates with Dr. Whitehead to examine the contribution of genetic factors to IBS using pathway and whole genome approaches, and she collaborates with Dr. Ringel on studies using molecular methods to investigate the role of the gut microflora in IBS. She is also a co-investigator on the GI SPORE Project 1 and the Diet and Health Studies (DHS). Dr. Keku has undergraduate and Masters degrees from the University of Jos, Nigeria. She has an MSPH in Parasitology & Laboratory Practice and a PhD in Epidemiology from the UNC School of Public Health. Dr. Keku’s research team includes: Xiang Jun Shen PhD, Janie Peacock, BS, and Wen Sui, MD.

Research interests

Colon cancer, rectal mucosal proliferation.