Featured Interview With Peter Oloche David
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Ugbokpo, Benue State, Nigeria, and raised in Gusua, Zamfara State, under the care of my uncle, James Okopi, after the loss of my mother to cancer when I was just four. Growing up in that environment taught me resilience, curiosity, and the importance of education, values that continue to shape my approach to research and writing.
Today, I live in Abuja, Nigeria, where I focus on my work as a researcher and writer. While I don’t currently have pets, I enjoy observing nature and finding inspiration in the world around me, whether through human stories or scientific discoveries, many of which influence my writing.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I realized my fascination with books at a very young age, around six or seven years old. Growing up, books became a window into the wider world, a way to explore ideas, history, and stories far beyond my immediate surroundings. They offered me both knowledge and inspiration, especially during my early years in Gusua, Zamfara State.
I began writing seriously in my late teens, starting with research notes, essays, and reflections on scientific and historical topics that captured my curiosity. Over time, this evolved into more structured writing projects, culminating in my first full-length book, The Immortal Malady. For me, writing has always been a way to synthesize learning, ask questions, and communicate ideas to others.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Some of my favorite authors reflect both my interests in science, history, and human stories. Siddhartha Mukherjee, through The Emperor of All Maladies, inspired me with his ability to blend rigorous scientific research with deeply human storytelling. Yuval Noah Harari, particularly through Sapiens, taught me how to approach history and society in a broad, interconnected way, showing how individual events connect to long-term patterns. I am also inspired by Walter Isaacson, whose biographies of scientists like Jennifer Doudna in The Code Breaker highlight how curiosity, perseverance, and ethics intersect with groundbreaking discoveries.
In terms of genre, I gravitate toward non-fiction, especially works in history, science, and technology, because they allow me to explore the complexities of the world while also learning from the minds that have shaped it. I also occasionally read philosophy and reflective essays to gain perspective on human behavior and society.
What inspires me in my own writing is the desire to bridge knowledge and storytelling: to take complex ideas, whether scientific or historical, and make them accessible and meaningful to readers. I aim to explore not only what we know, but also how we can use that knowledge to ask better questions, imagine solutions, and contribute to meaningful change.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is "The Immortal Malady: A Global History of Cancer and the Science of Its Defeat", a work that took several years of research and writing to complete. This book is not just about cancer as a disease, it is a journey through human history, science, and innovation, tracing how this persistent illness has challenged civilizations, shaped medical discoveries, and tested the limits of human ingenuity.
What makes it engaging is the way it blends history, science, and human stories. From ancient Egyptian medical texts to the laboratories of modern molecular biology, readers encounter the pioneers, researchers, and patients whose lives have intersected with cancer. I explore breakthroughs in immunotherapy, precision medicine, and AI-driven diagnostics, showing how hope and innovation continue to push the boundaries of what we once thought impossible.
I wanted to create a book that is rigorous yet accessible, informative yet compelling, so readers can understand not just the science, but the broader human and societal story behind it. Every chapter reflects years of research, reflection, and the desire to illuminate one of humanity’s greatest medical challenges, and to inspire hope that the future holds transformative solutions.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
Peter Oloche David Facebook Page
Peter Oloche David Twitter Account
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