Our Team
A Trusted Team To Help Spread The Word
Dr. Evelyn Mawunyo Jiagge
Dr. Jiagge is the Director for PMABC. She is an Assistant Professor in Hematology/Oncology for the Breast Cancer Research Program at Henry Ford Health. As a Physician Scientist, Dr. Jiagge has a translational focus on integrating the molecular genetics of aggressive breast cancers in women of African ancestry.
She currently leads the Jiagge Lab at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, and is an adjunct Research Investigator at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI.
Her overall goal is to identify new and improved modalities of screening, diagnosis, treatment, and improving the general outcome of breast cancer in women of African ancestry.
Her PhD studies at the University of Michigan inspired her to focus on cancer biology and stem cell research with an emphasis on the relationship of ethnic differentiation with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). She currently leads the Jiagge Lab at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute. She is an adjunct Research Investigator at the University of Michigan. She has contributed to, and led, over 30 papers and abstracts.
Dr. Sylvester Antwi
Dr. Antwi serves as the Co-Director for PMABC. He is a Research Scientist and International Cancer specialist at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute, where he focuses on advancing cancer research and treatment strategies. With extensive experience in international cancer research, he has worked on groundbreaking projects across Africa, where he has not only contributed to scientific understanding but also engaged in capacity-building initiatives to strengthen local research efforts. His commitment to improving outcomes for patients globally continues to inspire his work and collaborations within the scientific community.
Ghana
Prof. Patrick Kafui Akakpo
Prof. Akakpo is the Principal Investigator for PMABC at Pathologists Without Borders and a Pathologist at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana. He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast. He has a keen interest in diseases affecting the female genital tract and breast and is dedicated to modernizing the practice of pathology in Ghana.
Dr. Kwabena Agbedinu
Dr Kwabena Agbedinu is the Principal Investigator for PMABC and a General Surgeon at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. He has a special interest in breast cancers, with a focus on understanding the genetic basis for the aggressive breast cancers seen in the Ghanaian population and Africa at large. He is dedicated to cancer advocacy, promoting early detection of breast cancers.
Dr. Samuel Mensah
Dr Samuel Mensah is the Principal Investigator for PMABC and a Senior Lecturer at the School of Medicine and Dentistry of the College of Health Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He is also a consulting General Surgeon at the University Hospital, KNUST. He is particularly interested in Surgical Oncology and his goal is to improve outcomes in cancer management, particularly breast and colorectal cancer.
Dr. Josephine Nsaful
Dr. Nsaful is a Consultant General Surgeon and the Principal Investigator for PMABC at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana, Accra. She is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana. She has a special interest in breast cancer management and works at the Breast Surgery Unit of KBTH. Some research areas of particular interest to her are breast cancer chemotherapy particularly its effectiveness and side effects, metastatic disease particularly its tumor biology and survival outcomes, quality of life of breast cancer patients on treatment and post-treatment and various pharmacological, non-pharmacologic, and breast reconstruction that can improve the quality of life of patients and survivors.
Dr. Forster Amponsah-Manu
Dr. Amponsah-Manu is the Principal Investigator for PMABC at the Eastern Regional Hospital, Ghana, where he also serves as the Head of the Department of Surgery and Clinical Director. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, and is also the Medical Director of the JEAD Foundation for Breast Cancer, an NGO which organizes community-based educational programs, mass screenings, and treatment of breast cancer for women in Ghana. Dr. Amponsah-Manu aims to offer quality, updated, and standardized general surgical service geared towards client satisfaction and team building to improve healthcare delivery, and has a special interest in training, capacity building, and clinical research.
Dr. Michael Nortey
Dr. Michael Nortey is a Specialist (General Surgeon) and the Principal Investigator for PMABC at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana. He is also a part-time lecturer at the Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast. He is currently the Lead Clinician of the Department of Surgery, and the Chairman of the Peer Review Committee of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. He is a very proactive and high-performing professional committed to achieving the best possible outcome for every patient.
Dr. Moses Dokurugu
Dr. Dokurugu is a Specialist General Surgeon/Senior Resident in General Surgery and the Principal Investigator for PMABC at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana, who is experienced and highly skilled, with over ten years of experience in the medical field. He is a proactive, diligent, and result-oriented professional who is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for all patients. He has a special interest in volunteerism and community service and as such is involved in the provision of free surgical services to rural communities, the poor, and the needy.
Dr. Mohammed Sheriff
Dr. Mohammed Sheriff is a General Surgeon and the Principal Investigator for PMABC at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana. His major interest is in surgical oncology, particularly breast, endocrine, and gastrointestinal cancers. He has a strong enthusiasm for academic surgery and actively participates in instructing medical students while also maintaining partnerships and collaborations with fellow researchers in his field of specialization.
Dr. Veneranda Nyarko
Dr. Nyarko is an Anatomic Pathologist at the Department of Pathology, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and a Principal Investigator for PMABC. She has a keen interest in breast and colorectal Molecular Pathology. Her overall goal is to contribute to the global reduction of cancer incidence through early detection and prompt therapy especially for the less privileged.
Dr. Nelson Affram
Dr. Affram is the Principal Investigator for PMABC and a general surgeon at the Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana. He has extensive experience in policy formulation and standards development, endoscopy, breast cancer management, general surgical procedures, human resource management, budgeting and management of funds, and research and development.
Valerie Ofori Aboah
Ms. Ofori Aboah is an administrative assistant for PMABC and is currently pursuing her PH.D. in Quantitative Research, Evaluation, and Measurement at the Ohio State University, USA.
USA
Dr. Jessica Bensenhaver
Dr. Bensenhaver is a surgical breast oncologist and the Director of the Breast Oncology program at Henry Ford Health, MI, USA. She is also a Principal Investigator for PMABC and specializes in benign and malignant breast diseases. Her research focuses on socioeconomic, geographic and ethnicity-related variation in breast cancer, and features an outreach breast health program in both Africa and Haiti.
Dr. Haythem Ali
Dr. Ali is a Clinical Medical Oncologist at Henry Ford Health, with interests in clinical research focusing mainly on the fields of head and neck, breast, and lung cancer. He is a Principal Investigator for PMABC and his main research interest is in integrating targeted therapy in cancer therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
Mrs. Harriet Larrious-Lartey
Mrs. Larrious-Lartey, Project Manager for PMABC and the Jiagge Lab at Henry Ford Health, has over 15 years of experience in the banking sector, leading cross-functional teams to deliver successful projects on time and within budget. With strong communication, attention to detail, and a results-driven approach, she ensures high-quality outcomes. She values team cohesion and motivation while staying updated on industry best practices, ready to apply her leadership skills to new challenges.
Tanzania
Dr. Alex Mremi
Dr. Mremi is the Principal Investigator for PMABC and the Head of Pathology at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania.
Dr. Theresia Mwakyembe
Theresia Mwakyembe is a general surgeon and a Principal Investigator for PMABC at the Kilimanjaro Christian medical Center. She has an interest and focus in reconstructive plastic and breast surgery. She currently serves as a lecturer at KCMU and works at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre as the head of a newly established plastic and endocrine surgery unit. She participates in various research works relating to breast cancer.