Research Summary
Meira Epplein is a cancer epidemiologist who studies modifiable risk factors and health disparities. Specifically, she has been PI of five grants from the NCI focusing on a greater understanding of the diversity of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori and host response to infection and the association with gastrointestinal cancers. Through this work, she has established the importance of the understanding of H. pylori as a heterogeneous exposure, identifying bacteria-specific blood biomarkers of increased cancer risk, and finding that these biomarkers interact with other modifiable factors such as diet and aspirin use, in their association with gastric cancer development. She has also investigated the novel association of host response to H. pylori and colorectal cancer risk, and continues to work with others to consider policy implications. Locally, she has initiated numerous projects and events to engage, educate, and screen for H. pylori in the community and to move towards eradication trials for high-risk individuals.
CGIBD Focus Area(s): Clinical/Translational Research; Microbiome
Collaborators: Garman
