Samuel Achilefu Nigerian-born scientist and medical researcher

Samuel Achilefu

Dr. Samuel Achilefu is a renowned scientist and medical researcher who has made significant contributions to the fields of science, engineering, and medicine. As the Michel M. Ter-Pogossian Professor of Radiology and Vice Chair for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Achilefu holds joint appointments as a professor of medicine, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, and biomedical engineering. He is also the Director of the Washington University Molecular Imaging Center and the co-director of the Center for Multiple Myeloma Nanotherapy.

Dr. Achilefu is a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, as well as many professional societies, including the Royal Society of Chemistry, American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Optical Society of America, the International Society for Optics and Photonics Engineers (SPIE), the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and the St. Louis Academy of Science. He has received over 30 local, national, and international honors and awards for his contributions to cancer research and innovation.

Dr. Achilefu is an expert in the development and use of light-sensitive drugs for cancer detection, imaging, and therapy. He has pioneered the development of a novel wearable cancer viewing goggles for the accurate removal of cancer cells during surgery. The cancer goggles work on the principle of optical imaging, which enables real-time visualization of intrinsic and exogenous contrast within biological tissues. The goggles make it easier for surgeons to distinguish malignant cells from healthy cells, ensuring that no stray tumor cells are left behind during surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.

Dr. Achilefu has also discovered a novel treatment paradigm for cancer using a special type of light and non-pharmacological doses of drugs to selectively trigger cancer cell death without harming healthy tissue. His innovations have resulted in 59 issued US patents and over 300 scientific papers.

Dr. Achilefu's groundbreaking research has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment and detection. His work has been recognized by organizations and institutions around the world, and he has been featured in numerous public media outlets.

In 2019, Dr. Achilefu received the Britton Chance Biomedical Optics Award at SPIE for his contributions to the development of light-based technologies for cancer detection and treatment. He also received the Distinguished Investigator Award in 2018 from the Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research and the Carl and Gerty Cori Faculty Achievement Award from Washington University. In 2017, he was honored with the Excellence in Healthcare Award from the St. Louis American, and in 2016, he was awarded the first Department of Defense Distinguished Investigator Award for his work on breast cancer research.

Dr. Achilefu's research has the potential to transform cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes. His dedication to innovation and entrepreneurship has inspired a new generation of researchers and scientists, and his contributions to the field of medicine have been recognized by his peers and colleagues around the world.

In conclusion, Dr. Samuel Achilefu is a pioneer in cancer research and innovation, whose work has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment and detection. His groundbreaking research and contributions to the field of medicine have been recognized by organizations and institutions around the world, and he continues to inspire a new generation of researchers and scientists. With his unwavering dedication to innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Achilefu is poised to make even greater contributions to the field of medicine in the years to come.