Dr. Sally Nneoma Adebamowo is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Associate Director for Population Science and Cancer Control at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is an outstanding epidemiologist and clinical investigator with a distinguished career in cancer genomics, prevention, and population health.

Dr. Adebamowo’s work is at the forefront of global cancer research, with a focus on improving health outcomes in underrepresented populations, particularly African ancestry groups. As Principal Investigator (PI) of multiple NIH-funded studies, she has led groundbreaking research, including studies on polygenic risk scores (PRS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that have brought attention to the lack of diversity in genomic studies and advanced cancer risk prediction tools. Her research on cervical cancer has identified novel genetic loci associated with high-risk HPV persistence, a significant step toward better screening and prevention strategies in women of African ancestry.

In addition to her research contributions, Dr. Adebamowo has shown a commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists, with a special focus on fostering diversity in science. She leads initiatives that encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in biomedical research, thereby contributing to the diversification of the scientific workforce.

Dr. Adebamowo’s work has been published in leading journals such as Nature, Nature Genetics and Cell. Her leadership in genomic research, health disparities, and population science has had a broad impact, influencing both scientific knowledge and public health policies globally. Her contributions to cancer research make her an ideal candidate for the ASCI award, as she exemplifies the society's mission of advancing medical science and improving human health through impactful, innovative research.