Research & Scholarly Work
My research examines how environmental exposures, cellular signaling, and epigenetic regulation shape the development of head and neck cancer. I am particularly interested in how oral epithelial cells lose their protective functions during malignant transformation—and whether understanding these changes can reveal ways to restore those functions.
Publications · Preprints · Protocols · Presentations · Recognition
Current Research
AHR signaling and epithelial defense in oral cancer
My doctoral research investigates the relationship between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Using normal and malignant oral epithelial models, I examine how AHR signaling and epigenetic mechanisms influence S100A8/S100A9 expression. My current work focuses on genetic validation, chromatin regulation, and the functional consequences of changes in the AHR–calprotectin axis.
Three questions guide this work:
- How does the relationship between AHR signaling and calprotectin differ between normal and malignant oral epithelial cells?
- What epigenetic mechanisms contribute to altered S100A8/S100A9 expression in cancer?
- Can genetic or pharmacologic perturbations restore S100A8/S100A9 expression, and how does this affect cellular behavior?
Approaches
I combine CRISPR/Cas9 genetic perturbation, pharmacologic studies, and molecular analyses in epithelial cell models with the interpretation of public cancer datasets.
My broader research experience includes RT-qPCR, Western blotting, untargeted metabolomics using LC-HRMS, and analyses of datasets from resources such as TCGA and CPTAC.
I conduct my doctoral research at the University of Minnesota, under the supervision of Professor Mark Herzberg and Dr Chong Wang.
Broader Scholarship
Beyond the laboratory, my scholarly work addresses oral health, cancer care in Africa, and the evidence for—and limitations of—artificial intelligence in oral cancer diagnosis.
Google Scholar · ORCID · University of Minnesota Experts
Publications
2026
Afolabi BO, Odeyemi D, Ikubaje B, Odole I, Okunola A, Olujinmi I, Faulkner T.
Epidemiology & Public Health: Open Access. 2026;2(1):1–15.
Systematic review · Published 3 March 2026.
Full text PDF · Earlier preprint, 2025
Cancer Navigation in Africa: Challenges, Impacts, and Future Directions
Adegbesan A, Akingbola A, Tundealao S, Afolabi BO, Adekoya SO, Abraham MI, Udeobi O, Oduntan OO, Oyeyemi AA, Shagaya U, Chuku J.
Supportive Care in Cancer. 2026;34:205.
Review article · Published 14 February 2026.
2017
Chronic Periodontitis: A Risk for Oral Cancer
Bashir MK, Afolabi B, Opeodu OI.
Dentiscope. 2017;23:41–45.
Preprints
Manuscripts shared before formal journal peer review. For work that has since been published, the earlier preprint is linked beneath the corresponding publication above.
2026
A Proposal for Making Perineural Invasion Measurable in HNSCC Preclinical Research
Afolabi BO.
Preprints.org. Version 1 · Posted 30 September 2026.
Narrative review
Afolabi BO, Williams TM.
Preprints.org. Version 1 · Posted 28 February 2026.
Narrative review
Research Protocols
Laboratory workflows documented to support reproducibility and the exchange of research methods.
2026
2025
Cell Culture Protocol for TR146 Human Buccal Carcinoma Cell Line
Total RNA Extraction from Adherent Mammalian Cancer Cells using the Zymo Quick-RNA Miniprep Kit
First-Strand cDNA Synthesis from Cultured Human Epithelial Cells (HNSCC)
View my protocols.io profile →
Presentations, Abstracts & Posters
2026
Research and Discovery Day — University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
Poster #2 in the MSRG Research Day DigestOral Biology Spring Seminar — University of Minnesota
Seminar presentationMini-Symposium for Young Investigators — San Diego
Oral presentationAADOCR/IADR Annual Meeting
Conference abstractFlash Talk: The Microbiome and Cancer Symposium, October 2026
Symposium Agenda
2025
The Regulation of Calprotectin (S100A8/A9) by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)
Research Day, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
Second place, research competition.
University reportUntargeted Analysis of Areca Nut and Gutkha Commercial Products
Afolabi B, Yershova K, Villalta PW, Stepanov I.
ScienceOpen Posters. 2025.
View posterMini-Symposium for Young Investigators — New York
Oral presentation.
Archived conference websiteAADOCR/IADR Annual Meeting
Conference abstract
2024
The Interplay Between Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Calprotectin in HNSCC
IADR/AADOCR General Session — poster presentation.
Conference abstract · IADR archiveThe Interplay Between Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Calprotectin in Head and Neck Cancer
Mini-Symposium for Young Investigators — oral presentation.
University report
2023
- Untargeted Analysis of Areca Nut and Gutkha Commercial Products
Conference contribution.
Repository record
Research Recognition
2026 — AADOCR Student Research Day Award
Official award announcement2026 — Microbiome & Cancer Symposium Award of Achievement
View award certificate2023 — CTSI Advanced Pathways to Research Program (A-PReP) Scholar
Official CTSI Scholars listing
Earlier Research & Scholarship
2020
- Dental Caries, Developmental Defects of the Enamel and Dental Fluorosis in 9-Year-Olds of Igboora, Ibarapa Central Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria
Conference proceedings entry.
2019
Dental Caries, Developmental Defects of the Enamel and Dental Fluorosis in 9-Year-Olds of Igboora, Nigeria
Bachelor of Dental Surgery dissertation.
Scientific Communication & Service
I also contribute to scientific communication through research infographics, preprint reviews, and service to the academic community.