Prof Segun Fatumo
Professor and Chair of Genomic Diversity & Head of NCD Genomics
Institution
Queen Mary University of London (UK) & MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit (Uganda)
Bio
Professor Segun Fatumo is a globally recognised genomic epidemiologist and one of the leading voices advancing equitable human genomics research. With more than two decades of experience, he has made transformative contributions to understanding the genetic determinants of a range of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including chronic kidney disease and cardiometabolic traits in diverse ancestry populations.
He is Professor and Chair of Genomic Diversity at Queen Mary University of London and Head of Non-Communicable Disease Genomics at the MRC Uganda Research Unit, where he leads pioneering cross-continental research programmes. His academic foundation includes a PhD in Bioinformatics, supported by advanced postdoctoral training in bioinformatics and genetic epidemiology at the University of Georgia (USA), the University of Cambridge, and the Wellcome Sanger Institute (UK).
Professor Fatumo is widely known for his leadership in large-scale genomic initiatives aimed at addressing global health inequalities. He is the Principal Investigator and co-director of major continental programmes such as KidneyGenAfrica, BCX-Africa, and co-lead the Nigerian 100K Genome Project - A concerted effort to see over 100,000 Nigerians participate in the eponymous study, which will seek to understand the genetic basis of the highly prevalent NCDs in Nigeria. His work has attracted multi-million-dollar funding from the MRC, NIH, Wellcome Trust, and other global funders. Through these initiatives, he has been instrumental in establishing genomic research infrastructure, training early-career scientists, and driving capacity building across Africa.
A respected public communicator and global science ambassador, Professor Fatumo has been featured in major international media outlets, including BBC, The Telegraph, WIRED, Science Magazine, Forbes and others. He is frequently invited to deliver keynote lectures and expert invited presentations at leading scientific conferences around the world. He also serves as an Associate Editor for high-impact journals such as Genome Medicine and BMC Medical Genomics.
Beyond research, he plays a critical role in shaping global genomics policy. He has contributed to community engagement frameworks, ethical guidelines, and equity-centred policies that ensure genomic science benefits underrepresented populations. Professor Fatumo serves on several influential advisory boards, including the Scientific Advisory Boards of Genomics England, the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité and GWAS Catalog where he provides strategic guidance on population diversity, data ethics, and implementation of genomic medicine.
Professor Fatumo is also a dedicated educator and mentor. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in the UK, teaches across multiple MSc programmes, and supervises PhD students in the UK and Africa. He is strongly committed to strengthening research capacity on the continent and regularly organises and teaches genomic analysis workshops across Africa, including supervising PhD researchers across Africa and leading training initiatives that empower the next generation of African genomic scientists.
His exceptional contributions have been recognised through numerous accolades, including the prestigious MRC Impact Prize, awarded in recognition of his leadership in advancing African representation in genomic research and championing genetic risk prediction of complex diseases in African populations.
A passionate advocate for global equity, diversity, and inclusion, Professor Segun Fatumo remains deeply committed to transforming genomic medicine so that it serves all populations fairly. Through his visionary leadership, influential scholarship, and commitment to mentorship, he continues to expand the frontiers of genomic diversity research and shape the future of precision medicine worldwide.