With an Inaugural Lecture that blended cutting-edge science with an urgent call for innovation, Professor Titilola Aderonke Samuel of the Department of Biochemistry, University of Lagos pulled back the curtain on the powerful yet often overlooked world of hormones; and their profound impact on disease, development, and destiny.
It was to an enamoured audience that Prof. Samuel delivered her lecture, the 16th of the 2024/2025 Academic Session, at the Nurudeen Alao Auditorium on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, where she declared the focus of her presentation as being “on human and animal hormones and how it translates to human health”.
She traced the intricate pathways of hormonal regulation, beginning with the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis and extending to the delicate balance of reproductive endocrinology. Drawing on a decade-long review of contraceptive use among Nigerian women, she revealed emerging trends and complications that demand smarter public health strategies.
Her presentation laid bare the pivotal role hormones play in modern epidemics, from obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to their surprising influence on folic acid metabolism and foetal development. But perhaps most arresting was her deep dive into hormones’ darker side. i.e., their capacity to fuel cancer.
Professor Samuel presented striking evidence linking elevated hormone levels and receptor activity to prostate cancer, highlighting genetic and epigenetic pathways that drive tumour growth. Yet amid the unsettling findings, she offered hope: medicinal plants like Rauvolfia vomitoria and Euphorbia poissonii are showing remarkable anti-cancer properties, with the latter demonstrating the ability to modulate critical genes such as BRCA2 and TP53.
Beyond treatment, she championed the promise of early detection. Her research into genomic markers revealed that upregulated PCA3 (Prostate Cancer Antigen 3) mRNA, detectable in urine and plasma, could transform prostate cancer screening.
Professor Samuel didn’t shy away from the real-world costs of chemotherapy either, detailing her studies on electrolyte imbalances, renal dysfunction, ovarian toxicity, and menstrual disruption in patients undergoing treatment.
Yet her lecture was not only about scientific discovery; it was also about building the next generation of researchers. She reported on how, since 2019, she has led annual summer schools at the University’s Centre for Genomics of Non-Communicable Diseases and Personalized Healthcare, empowering scientists to harness molecular diagnostics and genomic tools.
Closing on a reflective note, she described how the COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted the power of genomics to revolutionize disease surveillance and response.
With an unwavering commitment to Biochemistry, Cancer Genomics, and Global Health, Professor Samuel’s work continues to bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and life-saving applications, reshaping the future of healthcare, one discovery at a time.
The well-attended event drew colleagues, friends, students, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate Professor Samuel, a distinguished scholar whose inaugural lecture marked a significant milestone in her ongoing academic journey at the University of Lagos.
Report: Isaiah Kumuyi & Oluwapelumi Oloyede
Photography: Ayo Oloyede
