By Ayo Onikoyi

Grace Ajayi, an expert In translational research, specifically TNBC triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), has offered insights on improving targeted therapy for TNBC and the challenges it presents in drug development.

With a strong background in infectious diseases and therapeutic drug target development, Grace brings a unique perspective to the field of drug discovery in TNBC.

Her expertise in molecular biology, genetics, and bioinformatics is further bolstered by her degree in Biological Sciences (Molecular Biology and Genetics) and certification in Applied Bioinformatics from the University of Delaware.

Grace’s early exposure to genetics laid a solid foundation for her understanding of the complexities of genetic variation in drug delivery and therapeutic advancements, particularly for heterogeneous diseases like cancer.

Her deep understanding of genetic mechanisms and their role in cancer development has been pivotal in shaping her approach to breast cancer, especially the TNBC subtype.

She emphasised the importance of personalized medicine and genetic screening in this context. Presently at the university, she developed methods to understand the genetic predispositions, metastasis, and mutations associated with breast cancer.

Her research not only underscored the need for early detection and targeted therapies but also provided valuable insights into the future direction of TNBC therapeutic interventions.

Her work highlights the critical role of research and innovation in developing effective treatments and improving patient outcomes.

By leveraging bioinformatics tools, Grace has explored gene expression profiling for disease-associated pathway discovery.

Recognising that a vast knowledge of molecular biology and genetics alone was insufficient, she pursued additional certifications to deepen her understanding of computational genomics data.

These certifications include the MongoDB Python Developer path from MongoDB University and several CITI training courses to enhance her ability to handle patient data.

Grace has been at the forefront of integrating bioinformatics tools with molecular biology and genetics to advance targeted drug development in TNBC.

She is also committed to fostering inclusive leadership, as evidenced by her certification from the University of Colorado, and to training undergraduate students by integrating them into research.
Grace advocates for the importance of understanding the genetic makeup of individuals in determining their response to cancer treatment.

She highlights the potential of computational genomics in elucidating disease mechanisms, which can help identify essential biomarkers for targeted therapeutic interventions in TNBC.

Grace has successfully identified genes involved in treatment resistance in TNBC and is currently exploring the genetic diversity of these genes in TNBC patient samples.

Additionally, she is dedicated to creating opportunities for young researchers to develop skills in biological research and is a strong advocate for personalized targeted therapy for TNBC.

She also emphasizes the significance of genetic counseling and early screening in improving outcomes and reducing the prevalence of TNBC.