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Dakota Okwuone

Professional Background

I was born and raised in Olathe, KS. During my undergraduate years, I went to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX where I graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in Biological Sciences and Health & Society, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, while minoring in Chemistry and Neuroscience. While at SMU, for three years, I was a Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholar, and an Engaged Learning Fellow in Dr. Pia Vogel's biochemistry lab where we worked to study and assess in silico-screened novel inhibitors of ABC transporters, P-glycoprotein and BCRP, which are a predominant cause of multidrug resistance in cancers.

Following two years of medical education, I joined the lab of Dr. Gregory Gan, M.D., Ph.D., and I am currently investigating the role of MAPKAPK2 (MK2) signaling in tumor progression and metastasis in head and neck cancer.

In addition to my biomedical interests, I am interested in public/global health, philosophy, and politics. Outside of academics, I played soccer on the SMU Men's team, and I continue to play recreationally and semi-professionally! Besides that, I enjoy listening to music, hanging out in the city, traveling and consuming content.

Dakota is a 2023 recipient of the AACR Minority Scholar in Cancer Research award winner and invited to participate in the annual AACR meetings in April 2023.  This program increases the scientific knowledge base of minority scientists and encourages them to pursue careers in cancer research. Dakota also a winner of the ACP National Abstract Competition in April 2023.

Mentor: Gregory Gan, Cancer Biology


KU School of Medicine

University of Kansas Medical Center
M.D.-Ph.D. Physician Scientist Program
Mail Stop 3062
1123 Delp Pavilion

3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, Kansas 66103