Assistant Professor | Calvin University | United States
Dr. Toluwani Elizabeth Adekunle is a dedicated public health scholar and educator whose work bridges health equity, global health, and structural determinants of health with a strong focus on trust, cancer disparities, and the lived experiences of marginalized populations. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Louisville, along with advanced degrees in public health, business administration, and international development. As an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Calvin University, Dr. Adekunle teaches courses in global health, program design, and evaluation while mentoring future leaders in health research and practice. Her ongoing research programs investigate medical mistrust in healthcare, the role of artificial intelligence in care provision, and cervical cancer screening uptake among underserved communities. She has received multiple grants, including funding from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation and the Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship, underscoring her innovative approaches to addressing structural inequities in health. Dr. Adekunle’s scholarly contributions include national and international conference presentations and publications that illuminate critical issues in cancer prevention, HIV care, and maternal health. Her professional experience extends to humanitarian work with the United Nations, health program management with the African Resource Center, and policy analysis with RAND Corporation, reflecting her commitment to bridging research and practice. Recognized with fellowships, awards, and leadership roles, she exemplifies excellence in scholarship, teaching, and community engagement. Her publications are gaining scholarly impact, with 16 documents indexed in Scopus, 26 citations across 25 documents, and an h-index of 2 (Scopus ID: 57801018500), highlighting her growing influence in global public health research.
Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar
Featured Publications
1. Fwelo, P., Nwosu, K. O. S., Adekunle, T. E., Afolayan, O., Ahaiwe, O., Ojaruega, A. A., … (2023). Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences in breast cancer surgery performed and delayed treatment: Mediating impact on mortality. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 199(3), 511–531.
Cited by: 18
2. Adekunle, T. E., Ahmed, M., & Afifi, R. (2021). A qualitative study to understand cervical cancer awareness and prevention among African immigrant women (AIW) in Iowa City, Iowa. International Journal of Women’s Health and Wellness, 7(1).
Cited by: 6
3. Fwelo, P., Afolayan, O., Nwosu, K. O. S., Ojaruega, A. A., Ahaiwe, O., Olateju, O. A., … (2023). Racial and ethnic differences in colon cancer surgery type performed and delayed treatment among people 45 years old and older in the USA between 2007 and 2017: Mediating effects. Surgical Oncology, 50, 101983.
Cited by: 5
4. Fwelo, P., Li, R., Heredia, N. I., Nyachoti, D., Adekunle, T. E., Adekunle, T. B., … (2025). Disparities in thyroid cancer mortality across racial and ethnic groups: Assessing the impact of socioeconomic, clinicopathologic, and treatment variations. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 32(2), 1158–1175.
Cited by: 3
5. Ewing, A. P., Alalwan, M. A., Brown, J. A., Adekunle, T. E., Korley, N. D., Nafiu, T. C., … (2022). Physically fit with a higher cancer risk? Influences of cervical cancer screening among a sample of physically active women ages 21–49 living in the United States. Preventive Medicine Reports, 30, 101978.
Cited by: 3