Our Programs
Research Education
Research Education Core (REC) of PIPCHE addresses the need for trained researchers in Guam, Micronesia, and Hawai‘i with expertise in cancer health disparities.
Community Outreach
The work of the PIPCHE's Community Outreach Core (COC) directly addresses the disproportionately high rates of cancer incidence and mortality found among Pacific Island Populations (PIP) in Hawai‘i and Guam.
Shared Resources
Research & Education
Community Outreach
Shared Resources
Research & Education
Research & Education
The Research Education Core (REC) of the Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity (PIPCHE) addresses the need for trained researchers in Guam, Micronesia, and Hawai‘i with expertise in cancer health disparities.
Specific Aims:
- Provide guidance, support and opportunities to acquire research skills and experience for Pacific Islander students pursuing a master’s degree with a focus on cancer-related health disparities in the Pacific Island region.
- Provide guidance, support and opportunities to acquire research skills and experience for students interested in cancer health disparities in the Pacific who are enrolled in a graduate degree program (master’s or doctoral) at UH.
- Support, guide and develop ESIs (postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty) at UOG and UHCC to become independent investigators in cancer health disparities with the help of a mentoring committee, an annual manuscript and grant writing workshop, attendance at scientific meetings, course releases, mentoring workshops, and individual follow-up as needed.
Project Leads
UH Cancer Center
UH Cancer Center
University of Guam
Research Education Trainees
Research Education Trainees
The Research Education Core (REC) of the Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity (PICPHE) addresses the need for trained researchers in Guam, Micronesia, and Hawai’i with expertise in cancer health disparities.
Elaine De Leon
Mentor: Dr. Tanisha Aflague
Project: Pilot Project II
Pursuing Masters Degree in Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Cabrini Aguon
Mentor: Dr. Grazyna Badowski
Project: Biostatistics Shared Resource Core Pursuing Bachelors Degree in Mathematics
Deborah Chun
Mentor: Dr. Laura Biggs
Project: Full Project II
Pursuing Masters Degree in Biology
Lauren Villanueva
Mentor: Dr. Tressa Diaz
Project: Community Outreach Core
Pursuing Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology
OrpaTefney Kilmete
Co-Mentors: Dr. Aflague & Dr. Laguana
Project: Community Outreach Core
Pursuing Masters Degree in Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Reina Evangelista
Mentor: Dr. Grazyna Badowski
Project: Biostatistics Shared Resource Core
Pursuing Bachelor of Science in Chemistry: Chemistry-Biology Dual Degree Track
Gian Paras
Mentor: Dr. Grazyna Badowski
Project: Pilot Project III
Pursuing Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Mathematics
Jane Taneza
Mentor: Dr. Kevin Cassel
Project: Community Ourteach Core
Allen Oamil
Mentor: Dr. Monica Esquivel
Project: Pilot Project II
Persuing Masters degree in Public Health Epidemiology
Persuing Masters degree in Public Health Epidemiology
Jane Pascual
Mentor: Dr. Brenda Hernandez
Project: Full Project II
Pursuing MPH Epidemiology program.
Mark Willingham
Mentor: Dr. Kevin Cassel
Project: Community Outreach Core
Michelle Nagata
Mentor: Dr. Brenda Hernandez
Project: Full Project II
Majored in Biology and minored in Japanese studies.
Antonelli Salayon
Mentor: Dr. Laura Biggs
Project: Full Project II
Pursuing Bachelors Degree in Biology, Bio-Medical track
Ella Macatugal
Mentor: Dr. Laura Biggs
Project: Full Project II
Pursuing Masters Degree in Biology
Infographics
U54 Trainees Over the Last Ten Years
U54 Trainee Career Journeys in Science, Cancer and Health Disparities Research
Community Outreach
Community Outreach
The work of the PIPCHE’s Community Outreach Core (COC) directly addresses the disproportionately high rates of cancer incidence and mortality found among Pacific Island Populations (PIP) in Hawai‘i and Guam.
Using community-engaged approaches, the Community Outreach Core will work to support, enhance, and disseminate the PIPCHE’s research to better understand the determinants of cancer in this group. The COC’s activities will also serve to reduce the burden of preventable cancers found in PIP living in Hawai‘i and Guam, which may be applicable to groups found elsewhere in the US.
Specific Aims:
- Provide an essential resource to PIPCHE research projects and the Partnership
- Implement evidence-based cancer prevention outreach, resources, and promotion of PIPCHE research
- Assess the Partnership’s capacity to design and implement culturally relevant research in Hawai‘i and Guam
Guam Daily Post
Many gather, wave teal and white for Cervical Cancer Month by Elyssa Cuevas – Jan 14 – 2024
Project Leads
Community Outreach Advisory Council
Outreach Advisory Council Highlight
Meet the UOG Community Outreach Core’s Outreach Advisory Council (OAC)
The UOG Community Outreach Core Outreach (COC) Advisory Council began in 2020 with the start of the U54/ PIPCHE third grant cycle. This committee is comprised of a diverse group of influential individuals who represent the CHamoru, Filipino, and Micronesian communities in Guam. OAC members act as advisors and provide guidance to the work of the COC. They help to ensure that the COC’s work is aligned with the community. Let’s meet our OAC members!
Annette M. David, MD, MPH
FACOEM Chair
Guam State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup
Marisha Artero-Perez
Cancer Control Strategic Partnerships Manager
American Cancer Society – Guam Field Office
Sara Dimla Harrell, MS
Project Director/Acting Supervisor
PEACE Partnerships for Success Program/ Prevention and Training branch of Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center
Ronald A.T. Laguaña
Member Guam
Non-Communicable Disease Consortium, ACS/ Cancer Action Network/ CHamoru Advocate
Sylvia Elias
Foreign Services Officer
Federated States of Micronesia Consulate – Guam
Glynis Almonte, RN, BSN
Executive Director
Guam Nurses Association
Joiel Setik
Program Director
Micronesian Resource Center One Stop Shop (MRCOSS)/Mañelu Organization
Resource Materials
Shared Resources
Biostatistics
The goal of the Biostatistics Shared Resource is to facilitate the important work for the PIPCHE Partnernship through infrastructure for its research, research education and outreach activities.
Specific Aims:
- Provide statistical collaboration and support to all U54 full and pilot projects, to the Outreach Core and Shared Resources, and to U54 students and trainees.
- Build capacity for biostatistical support for health disparities research at University of Guam (UOG) and the University of Hawai`i Cancer Center (UHCC) through mentoring and seminars.
- Curate data resources to monitor health disparities in cancer incidence rates and prevalence of exposure to cancer risk and protective factors among Pacific Island population.
- Develop and implement, with the Information Technology Shared Resource, a platform for storage and sharing of U54 project data and documents.
Biostatistic Clinics
You can access our video gallery here.
Project Leads
Cancer Registry
The Cancer Registry will serve a key role in identifying and characterizing cancer disparities in the multiethnic populations of Guam and Hawai‘i. The overall objective is to provide key infrastructure support for cancer research and outreach activities of the Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity (PIPCHE).
Specific Aims:
- Provide cancer data and related support for PIPCHE research projects (full and pilot) and outreach activities.
- Build capacity for cancer surveillance and health disparities research at the University of Guam (UOG) and the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center (UHCC). This alignment will allow for a synergy and sharing of data that would not be possible otherwise.
Visit the Guam Cancer Registry page on the University of Guam’s website for full resources and materials.
Project Leads
UHCC Core Leader
University of Guam
UHCC Core Leader
University of Hawaii
Information Technology
The goal of the Information Technology Shared Resource is to satisfy the communication and information technology needs of all the PIPCHE projects and the overall Partnership through a robust and reliable infrastructure.
Specific Aims:
- To support and facilitate communications between the University of Guam (UOG) and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center (UHCC).
- To provide technical assistance and consultation in support of PIPCHE sponsored research, research education, and outreach activities.
- To promote and disseminate PIPCHE research and research findings, research funding and student training opportunities and cancer information and outreach for communities, health care providers, and partners in Guam and Hawai’i.