Meet the Team

It all begins with an idea. The TumorLink leadership multi-site team brings together a unique blend of expertise across oncology, epidemiology, data science, public health, and global health systems. Our team includes practicing oncologists, senior health data scientists, clinical trial leaders, and technologists with experience in AI, finance, and healthcare infrastructure. With decades of combined experience across U.S. health systems and Sub-Saharan Africa, we are united by a shared commitment to advancing equitable, data-driven cancer care solutions for underserved populations worldwide.

Collectively, our TumorLink leadership team has contributed to over $51.3 million in funded research projects across oncology clinical trials, global health equity, implementation science, and community-based interventions. Their diverse expertise ensures our programs are rigorously designed, sustainably funded, and aligned with our mission to deliver equitable, data-driven cancer care solutions worldwide.

  • Srinivas Y. Sathipati, PhD

    Dr. Srinivas Y. Sathipati is a Principal Investigator and Associate Research Scientist at Marshfield Clinic Health System, specializing in bioinformatics, machine learning, and translational medicine. With over a decade of research experience spanning cardiovascular, oncology, and molecular biomarker discovery, he develops advanced computational methods to accelerate precision medicine.

    Dr. Sathipati earned his PhD in Bioinformatics from National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan, where his doctoral and postdoctoral work focused on machine learning approaches for feature selection and biomarker identification. He also holds a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics from Sri Venkateswara University.

    At Marshfield Clinic, he leads research initiatives using genomic and molecular data to improve disease prediction and risk stratification. His recent publications include work on microRNA signatures predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery patients, highlighting the promise of non-invasive biomarkers in personalized cardiovascular care. His expertise has also been featured in PharmaFocus magazine, discussing the transformative role of miRNAs in early cancer and heart disease diagnostics.

    Dr. Sathipati’s research integrates multi-omics data, machine learning algorithms, and clinical informatics to enable:


    • Identification of novel molecular biomarkers
    • Predictive modeling for disease risk and treatment response
    • Improved diagnostic strategies in oncology and cardiology
    • Translation of bioinformatics insights into clinical decision-making. 

    As Lead/Advisor for Bioinformatics and Precision Medicine at TumorLink, Dr. Sathipati supports the organization’s mission to reduce cancer disparities by:
    • Providing strategic guidance on biomarker discovery and molecular diagnostics
    • Advising on the integration of bioinformatics and machine learning in cancer research
    • Supporting collaborative grant development and scientific publications
    • Building partnerships with academic and clinical research institutions

    Dr. Sathipati is passionate about harnessing data-driven science to advance equitable, patient-centered healthcare solutions worldwide.

  • Alice Muehlbauer, MS

    Alice Muehlbauer is an Administrative Coordinator at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with over a decade of experience in healthcare administration, community engagement, and systems thinking. She brings a unique background in sustainable peacebuilding and environmental science to her work in hospital operations and community-focused initiatives.

    Alice holds a Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding and a Bachelor’s degree in Conservation and Environmental Science, both from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her graduate training emphasized transdisciplinary research, adaptive management, conflict transformation, and complexity-aware evaluation.

    At Froedtert Hospital, she manages administrative operations, facilitates interdepartmental communication, and supports organizational effectiveness in a large academic health system. Her prior roles include human resources and administrative support at Briggs & Stratton and Milwaukee Tool, where she streamlined operational processes, improved customer experience, and championed workplace culture initiatives.

    Alice also has a strong track record of community service, including leading conference planning for Milwaukee Evaluation and volunteering on community engagement and fundraising committees for Above The Clouds Inc. Her experience demonstrates a commitment to building partnerships, advancing community well-being, and promoting equity-focused initiatives.

    As Advisor for Community Partnerships and Grants at TumorLink, Alice supports the organization’s mission to reduce cancer disparities by:
    • Expanding strategic networks and partnerships in healthcare and community sectors
    • Advising on stakeholder engagement and collaborative program design
    • Supporting grant development, fundraising strategies, and proposal planning
    • Providing operational insights to strengthen program delivery and sustainability

    Alice maintains an extensive professional network and is dedicated to fostering connections that advance local and global health equity, community-based research, and sustainable partnerships.

  • Dr. Ronald Anguzu, MD, MPH, PhD

    Dr. Ronald Anguzu is a Senior Consultant at TumorLink, offering strategic guidance in global health equity, implementation science, and epidemiologic research across U.S. and Sub‑Saharan African settings. A physician‑scientist from Uganda, he holds an MD/MBChB (Makerere University), MPH (Makerere SPH), and a PhD in Public & Community Health (Medical College of Wisconsin).

    He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Epidemiology at MCW’s Institute for Health & Humanity and a fellow in the Early Career ENHANCE‑M maternal health program.

    Selected projects:

    • Principal Investigator, Healthy Homes Collaborative (AHW) – $250K to improve housing-related health outcomes in Milwaukee

    • Principal Investigator, mHealth intervention for depression & IPV in Ugandan adolescent mothers (MCW Global Health) – $15K

    • Principal Investigator, SCREEN project – $808K NIMH-funded K01 on mHealth screening & treatment during pregnancy in rural Uganda

    • Former Project Consultant for AFENET’s multi-country Rapid Mortality Surveillance project

    Dr. Anguzu leads research on maternal, child, and mental health, mHealth, and housing determinants, and has over 50 peer-reviewed publications, including recent clinical trials in nodding syndrome via The Lancet Global Health.

    He also contributes to graduate teaching (infectious disease epidemiology, statistics, maternal & child health) and mentorship at MCW, and holds leadership roles on academic committees.

    At TumorLink, Dr. Anguzu consults on:

    • Designing and evaluating implementation strategies for global oncology and maternal health programs

    • Integrating mHealth and digital tools in low-resource settings

    • Multisite data frameworks and evaluation methods

    • Capacity-building initiatives, scholar mentorship, and institutional partnerships in LMICs

  • Dr. Henry Mbawa Jr, MA, PhD

    Dr. Henry Mbawa Jr is a Senior Advisor of Strategic and Political Affairs at TumorLink, providing strategic expertise in policy, institutional development, and capacity building across global health systems. He brings over 15 years of experience spanning public policy, decentralization, governance, and human rights—especially in underserved regions.

    He currently serves as Senior Programme Manager at the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), leading capacity-building and equity initiatives in health and care research. Dr. Mbawa earned his PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Leeds and an MA in Governance and Development (with Great Distinction) from the University of Antwerp.

    Prior roles include:

    • Capacity Building Expert, Human Dynamics (EU‑supported local government reform, Sierra Leone, 2019–2021)

    • Institutional Development Expert, Transition International (Nigeria, 2019–2020)

    • Security & Justice Technical Advisor, Cordaid (Sierra Leone, 2019)

    • Lecturer, University of Sierra Leone (2013–2021), leading academic development and student mentorship

    At TumorLink, Dr. Mbawa advises on global engagement strategy, government partnerships, and institutional readiness—especially in Sub-Saharan Africa—leveraging his specialization in fragile-state governance and sustainable development.

  • Dr. Adedayo A. Onitilo, MD, PhD, MSCR, FACP

    Dr. Adedayo Onitilo is a globally recognized oncologist and serves as Senior Medical Advisor for Oncology & Clinical Research at TumorLink. With over two decades of experience, he brings unparalleled expertise in cancer care delivery, health systems oncology, and population-based research.

    Dr. Onitilo currently directs the Oncology, Hematology, Radiation Oncology, and Palliative Medicine Service Line at Marshfield Clinic Health System. He is the Principal Investigator of the Wisconsin NCI Community Oncology Research Program (WiNCORP), where he has secured over $24.9 million in NIH funding to expand clinical trial access across multiple Midwestern states. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Cancer Scientific Interest Group for the Health Care Systems Research Network (HCSRN). His research leadership includes appointments on national committees with SWOG, ASCO, and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment.

    Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, Medical Oncology, and Hospice & Palliative Medicine, Dr. Onitilo earned:

    • MD, Ogun State University, Nigeria

    • PhD in Epidemiology, University of Queensland, Australia

    • MS in Clinical Research, Medical University of South Carolina

    He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, serves on editorial boards including Clinical Medicine and Research and Clinical Breast Cancer, and frequently presents at ASCO and national research forums. At TumorLink, Dr. Onitilo guides strategic planning for oncology research and international collaborations, helping shape high-impact programs focused on cancer disparities, early detection, and treatment innovation across the U.S. and Sub-Saharan Africa.

  • Dr. Yusuf Sheku Tejan, MD, MPH

    Dr. Yusuf Sheku Tejan is a Regional Clinical Advisor at TumorLink, where he supports health systems strengthening, and field-based implementation research across Sub-Saharan Africa. A licensed physician and public health leader, he currently serves as Medical Superintendent of Port Loko Regional Hospital under the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone.

    Dr. Tejan brings over a decade of experience in hospital leadership, quality improvement, reproductive and maternal health (RMNCAH), and health workforce development. He is a fellow of the TDR-WHO Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT IT), and recently led a multi-country study on COVID-19 severity and non-communicable diseases in healthcare workers.

    Key Roles and Expertise:

    • Regional Medical Superintendent, Ministry of Health (Port Loko, formerly Magburaka) – Leads regional hospital operations, clinical supervision, and national health policy implementation

    • Lecturer, Port Loko School of Nursing – Trains and mentors future healthcare professionals in clinical medicine

    • Policy & Program Implementation – Coordinates district-level logistics, supply chains, partner engagement, and health governance

    • Health Emergency Response – Certified AVoHC Responder and Ready4Response Fellow (WHO)

    • Research & Publications – Recent work includes publications in BMC Infectious Diseases and medtigo Journal of Medicine, including research on cancer outcomes during COVID-19 and adolescent maternal care strategies

    At TumorLink, Dr. Tejan advises on:

    • Operationalizing cancer control efforts in low-resource hospital settings

    • Reproductive and maternal health integration in cancer care delivery

    • Public sector coordination, policy implementation, and quality of care programs

    • Mentorship and health system capacity building in Sierra Leone and beyond

  • Dr. Inih J. Essien, OD, PGDSV, MPH

    Dr. Inih J. Essien is a Senior Research Project Manager and Co-Chair of the CAC at HealthPartners, where he leads and coordinates epidemiologic and health services research initiatives in Minnesota. A trained Optometric Physician with over a decade of international clinical and research experience, he combines frontline patient care expertise with public health and implementation science training to advance evidence-based healthcare delivery.

    Dr. Essien earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Benin, completed postgraduate training in Sport Vision at the University of Johannesburg, and holds a Master of Public Health from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

    At HealthPartners, he has served as Research Project Manager since 2021, supporting multi-site networks such as VISION and IVY and co-authoring numerous peer-reviewed publications in infectious disease surveillance, pharmacoepidemiology, and health outcomes research. His recent publications include work in MMWR, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Clinical Infectious Diseases, and JMIR Formative Research on topics such as COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness, cardiometabolic risk in pediatric populations with disabilities, and patterns in antiviral prescribing.

    Previously, Dr. Essien practiced as a Senior Optometrist at MAGRABI RETAIL in Saudi Arabia, providing advanced clinical care for nearly seven years. His professional journey reflects a commitment to integrating patient-centered care with rigorous research to improve health systems globally.

    At TumorLink, Dr. Essien serves as an Advisor, helping to expand strategic connections, support collaborative grant development, and strengthen partnerships to advance global oncology and health equity initiatives.

    Across his roles, he contributes to:
    • Design and management of multi-site epidemiologic research projects
    • Implementation and evaluation of public health interventions
    • Advanced methods to address confounding in observational studies
    • Collaborative research networks focused on infectious disease surveillance
    • Capacity building, mentorship, and partnership development in research operations

    He maintains an active professional network and is passionate about advancing equitable healthcare through clinical excellence and research leadership.

  • Yusuf Shaw, BSc, MSc, MSCS

    Yusuf Shaw leads the IT infrastructure, AI integration, and financial systems at TumorLink, driving the technical foundations critical to our work in the U.S. and Sub‑Saharan Africa. With 7+ years spanning finance, data analytics, and computer science, he ensures our systems are robust, secure, and scalable.

    He served as a Data Analyst at OurCare Inc., where he designs and maintains data architectures, performs data mining, and delivers actionable insights to support decision-making. Simultaneously, Yusuf completed a Master’s in Computer Science at The Catholic University of America (Feb 2024–May 2025), building advanced skills in data processing, system design, and AI.

    His prior experience includes

    • Senior Accountant, Intrapex (SL) Ltd (2015–2022) – Managed AR/AP, reconciliations, audits, and financial compliance

    • Finance Officer, West Africa Venture Fund – Led budgeting, reporting, and disbursement for SME investments

    • Data Entry Analyst, Telecom Africa— Built structured databases for contractors or suppliers, enhancing data accuracy

    He holds an MSc in Accounting & Finance and a BSc in Applied Accounting from the University of Sierra Leone. Additionally, he completed a Google certification in Data Processing (Sept.–Nov. 2023). His toolkit includes QuickBooks, Excel, structured database systems, and emerging AI technologies.

    At TumorLink, Yusuf oversees:

    • IT systems: Security, maintenance, and scalability

    • AI tools: Development and deployment of registry and analytic systems

    • Financial systems: Automation, budgeting, compliance, and reporting

    He ensures technology and financial operations align seamlessly with TumorLink’s mission to reduce cancer disparities through data-based global oncology infrastructure.

  • Dr. Abdul R. Shour, MS, PhD

    Dr. Abdul R. Shour is the Founder and Executive Director of TumorLink, a Texas-based nonprofit focused on closing global cancer care gaps through data-driven solutions and equitable partnerships. He also serves as a Research Scientist II at the Essentia Institute of Rural Health (EIRH) and Co-Chair of the Cancer Scientific Interest Group for the Health Care Systems Research Network—a national consortium spanning over 20 health systems, including Kaiser Permanente, Geisinger, Baylor Scott & White, HealthPartners, Sutter, Essentia, Henry Ford, Marshfield Clinic, and Harvard Medical School’s Department of Population Medicine.

    Dr. Shour leads multiple cancer and health equity studies and serves as Site Principal Investigator for a multi-site PCORnet study evaluating the causal impact of incretin agonists on cancer incidence in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. His current research portfolio includes:

    • Principal Investigator, Evaluating the Impact of Social Determinants on Admission, Readmissions, and Healthcare Utilization — $152,252 funded by Essentia's CMO Priority Fund (2025–2027)

    • Principal Investigator, No-Shows and Treatment Adherence in Cancer Care — $14,808 funded by EIRH (2025–2026)

    • Co-Investigator, Targeting FOXM1 in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma — $150,000 funded by Marshfield Clinic’s Precision Medicine Program

    • Co-Principal Investigator, Bridging the Adoption Gap — $80,000 funded by Marshfield Clinic’s General Medical Research Fund

    • Co-Investigator, ASCEND WI — $168 million NIH IMPROVE-funded initiative targeting structural risk factors; also serves as an ENHANCE-M faculty mentor.

    Before launching TumorLink, Dr. Shour was a Project Scientist at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute and a Clinical Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He holds a PhD in Public and Community Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin and an MS in Sustainable Peacebuilding from UW-Milwaukee.

    Dr. Shour’s work has been published in JAMA Network Open, Plos One, and BMC Health Services Research. He is an active peer reviewer for multiple journals and serves on the Wisconsin Governor’s Budget, Finance, and Sustainability Committee. In 2023, he was awarded the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin for his contributions to public health.