PROMOTING INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH & EDUCATION
The UH Cancer Center collaborates and fosters interdisciplinary research projects that allow students of different fields to excel in their education and careers . Under the mentorship of John Shepherd , PhD , researcher and Interim Deputy Director / Chief Scientific Officer , doctoral students Lambert Leong and Devon Cataldi conduct research to find the most innovative solutions to reduce the burden of cancer for the people of Hawai ‘ i and the Pacific .
DEVON CATALDI , MS , ATC DOCTORAL CANDIDATE Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science
In June 2022 , Devon Cataldi , a kinesiology and rehabilitation science doctoral candidate , received a UH Cancer Center Travel Award to present his dissertation research at the annual Quantitative Musculoskeletal Imaging meeting , an international conference held in Noordwijk , Netherlands . The UH Cancer Center Travel Award provides funding for students to present their cancer-related research at peer-reviewed conferences to gain valuable experiences , further their education , broaden their network , and prepare them for a career in cancer research .
Because there is a lack of body composition research on the unique multiethnic population of Hawai ‘ i and the Pacific , Devon hopes that his efforts at the UH Cancer Center will provide accurate techniques for researchers and healthcare providers to properly assess a patient ’ s body composition , especially in the area of infant body composition , where research and data collection are limited .
Body composition is a term used to represent the body ’ s basic compartments : fat , bone , muscle , and water — all essential components used to evaluate the nutritional status of various metabolic diseases and cancers . Devon conducts lifestyle intervention research to study how different body composition techniques are used and how these metrics can be used to help cancer patients .
Devon focuses on assessing body composition , muscular strength and function , nutrition , and hydration status within different populations in Hawai ‘ i to determine risk of various metabolic diseases and cancers . His dissertation research encompasses an athletic population called the Da Kine study and in part , a general population study called Shape Up ! Adults , Kids , and Keiki . Both studies utilize clinical and research-grade body measurement technology at the UH Cancer Center to provide the most accurate body composition results .
8