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Dr. Meredith Newton portraitChemtai Mungo, MD, MPH, FACOG, has been appointed to the Board of the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS), the leading global authority on HPV (Human Papillomavirus ) research and advocacy. The IPVS plays a crucial role in advancing scientific understanding, prevention, and treatment of HPV and associated diseases, including cervical cancer. This appointment recognizes her significant contributions to global women’s health, particularly in marginalized communities, and underscores her commitment to impactful, world-leading research on HPV and cervical cancer prevention to promote health equity.

Established in 2000, the IPVS is an international body composed of members from over 100 countries dedicated to fostering collaboration in research, education, and public health. Board members are distinguished leaders in the field who guide the society’s efforts to address global challenges related to HPV through scientific innovation, public health initiatives, and policy advocacy. 

Dr. Chemtai Mungo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UNC Chapel Hill, with joint appointments in the Divisions of General Obstetrics and Gynecology and Global Women’s Health. Her research focuses on developing patient-centered, innovative, and accessible methods for secondary prevention of cervical cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). As Principal Investigator, she leads clinical trials in collaboration with colleagues at UNC Chapel Hill, Maseno University School of Medicine in Kenya, and the Kenya Medical Research Institute, investigating the feasibility of self-administered intravaginal treatment for HPV and cervical precancer in LMICs, where 90% of global cervical cancer deaths occur.

Dr. Mungo is also an Affiliate Faculty member in the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and a member of the UNC Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) and the UNC Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases (IGHID). She was named an Early Career Scientist by the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention in 2023 and received the American Association of Cancer Research Global Fund for Women’s Cancer Career Development Award in 2022.