Annual Report 2018 | Page 13

Brenda Hernandez

A

primary research focus of , Brenda Hernandez , PhD , MPH ,

is the role of infection in cancer development and progression . Hernandez and her team have made important contributions to understanding the human papilloma virus ( HPV ) infection .

“ We showed that HPV is a very common and ubiquitous infection in healthy males and females and is readily transmitted between sexual partners ,” said Hernandez .

Hernandez and her research team have investigated the role of HPV in the development of genital , and head and neck cancers . Tey have also established that HPV plays a role in nearly all anal cancers , and is driving the increasing rates of oropharyngeal cancers .

Hernandez also directs the UH Cancer Center ’ s Hawai ‘ i Tumor Registry ( HTR ) which ranks as one of the oldest cancer registries in the nation . She credits the HTR for its critical role in cancer control and research eforts in the state , including understanding the basis for disparities in cancer risk and outcomes across Hawai ‘ i ’ s multiethnic population .

UH CANCER CENTER ASSOCIATE RESEARCHER

Population Sciences in the Pacifc Program , Cancer Epidemiology

“ Our research underscores the importance of HPV vaccination for the prevention of cancers caused by the virus .”

– BRENDA HERNANDEZ

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