Posted on Monday, June 09, 2025
Dr. Veronica Ajewole-Mwema, PharmD, BCOP, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Assistant Vice President for Clinical Translational Research and Community Engagement
Texas Southern University (TSU) has been awarded a $2 million academic research grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to support the establishment and expansion of the Texas Southern University Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention Center (TSU BCSPC). The award, secured under CPRIT’s prevention funding category, recognizes TSU’s continued commitment to advancing community-based health initiatives focused on underserved populations.
Dr. Veronica Ajewole-Mwema, PharmD, BCOP, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Assistant Vice President for Clinical Translational Research and Community Engagement will continue to lead this initiative as its principal investigator. The initiative aims to increase access to breast cancer education, early detection, and screening services in the Greater Houston area.
“We are honored to receive this significant award from CPRIT,” said Dr. Ajewole-Mwema. “We are proud of the work we were able to do with the first grant from CPRIT. There are testimonies of women whose cancer we were able to detect early through this work, and whose lives were saved as a result. This funding will allow us to expand critical cancer prevention services for vulnerable communities, especially those who experience disproportionately high rates of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis and mortality”
Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Texas, with notable disparities in mammogram screening rates, incidence, prevalence, stage at diagnosis, illness burden, mortality, and survivorship. Since 2021, in response to these disproportionate outcomes, the Texas Southern University Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention Center (TSU BCSPC) has actively and aggressively addressed these challenges supported by a $1 million prevention grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
Over the past three years, the TSU Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention Center (TSU BCSPC) has delivered no-cost mammography services to more than 1,400 underserved women and implemented comprehensive health education and patient navigation programs reaching over 4,500 women across Harris, Grimes, Matagorda, Walker, and Wharton counties. Through a combination of community-based mobile mammography events and in-clinic services, TSU has established strong, trust-based relationships and sustained engagement within the communities it serves.
With its newest $2 million CPRIT award, TSU BCSPC will broaden its reach and impact. The program will extend and enhance its proven model — which includes comprehensive screenings/diagnostics, evidence-based and literacy-appropriate breast cancer education, patient navigation/barrier reduction, and continuing education for Community Health Workers (CHWs) — into four additional counties: Galveston, Polk, Brazoria, and Trinity while continuing and expanding efforts in the original five counties.
Over the next three years, TSU BCSPC aims to:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Principal Investigator and Program Director for TSU BCSPC over the past three years,” said Dr. Veronica Ajewole-Mwema. “I am excited to continue in this role, working alongside our program leaders, Dr. Nkechi Ogboh and Dr. Rodney Hunter, as well as our dedicated team members, partners, the TSU community, and the broader public to enhance breast health outcomes for all women.”
The TSU Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention Center will provide evidence-based education, navigation services, and direct access to mammography screenings. This initiative builds upon the university’s longstanding dedication to promoting health outcomes, interprofessional collaboration, and community outreach.
“At TSU, we are deeply committed to research that has both scientific rigor and tangible community impact,” said Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall, Vice President for Research and Innovation. “The TSU BCSPC exemplifies this dual mission by delivering life-saving education, screenings, and care navigation to populations across the Greater Houston region. Under the leadership of Dr. Veronica Ajewole-Mwema, this initiative has already transformed thousands of lives, and with this new investment, it is poised to reach even further—expanding its vital work into four additional counties. This award is not only a validation of our team's outstanding work, but also a catalyst for continued innovation in community-based cancer prevention and translational research. We thank CPRIT for its continued partnership and investment in TSU’s mission.”
The CPRIT Oversight Committee announced the grant as part of a larger funding initiative totaling more than $93 million across 61 projects statewide. These investments span cancer research, prevention programs, and product development initiatives focused on early detection and cancer treatments. To date, CPRIT has awarded over $3.9 billion in grants to Texas institutions, supporting groundbreaking cancer research and prevention efforts across the state.
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