Supporting ovarian cancer survival for Black women

Dr. Patience Obi is a biomedical researcher with expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology and cancer research, working under the supervision of Dr. Michael Olson, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Molecular Cell Biology. Her postdoctoral research focuses on investigating key proteins involved in ovarian cancer, assessing their functional significance in tumour progression, and evaluating their potential as therapeutic targets. By addressing critical gaps in ovarian cancer research and considering racial disparities in outcomes, her work aims to advance precision medicine and improve survival rates—particularly for Black women, who are disproportionately affected by the disease.

Dr. Obi’s doctoral research focused on skeletal muscle extracellular vesicles (Skm-EVs) and their role in exercise-induced metabolic and anti-cancer effects. Dr. Obi has published in high-impact journals such as the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, among others. During her PhD, Dr. Obi received several awards in recognition of her outstanding achievements, including the Research Manitoba PhD Studentship, the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship and the FKRM Outstanding Doctoral Research Award, among others.

Beyond the lab, Dr. Obi is also passionate about science communication and mentorship. Through her YouTube channel, she inspires and supports students—especially international students and those aspiring to study abroad—by sharing practical insights on academic success, research opportunities and navigating life in Canada.