Chemtai Mungo, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UNC Health, was nominated and selected as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP) Early Career Scientist.
In addition to her selection as a DCP Early Career Scientist, Dr. Mungo was invited to give a virtual presentation as part of the DCP Early Career Scientist Spotlight Research Seminar Series. The goal of the series is to increase visibility of early-career scientists conducting research within areas supported by the DCP.
Candidates considered for the Early Career Scientist opportunity are nominated by individuals with current NIH funding and connections to DCP-related research areas. “Being selected as an NCI Early Career Scientist presents a significant opportunity to advance my research on self-administered topical therapies for treating cervical precancer in low-resource countries,” said Dr. Mungo. “This will bring my work to the attention of prominent thought leaders at the NCI and contribute to addressing the existing disparities in cervical cancer prevention globally.”
Dr. Mungo is a UNC Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Scholar. UNC WRHR scholars conduct cutting-edge research to advance women’s reproductive health, both domestically and globally. Her research is focused on improving secondary prevention of cervical cancer in low and middle-income countries.
Dr. Mungo was recently awarded a clinical trial planning grant by the National Cancer Institute to study the feasibility of self-administered topical therapies to treat HPV and cervical precancer among women in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2022, Dr. Mungo was awarded the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Global Fund for Women’s Cancer Career Development Award and was featured as an AACR Next Generation Star at the 2023 annual meeting.