Beyond Cancer Spotlight: Hoda Anton-Culver

Hoda Anton-Culver, PhD (She/Her) a Donald Bren Professor and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, director of the Genetic Epidemiology Research Institute (GERI), the Founder of the Department of Epidemiology and the founder of the graduate degree program (MS and PhD) in epidemiology at the University of California, Irvine. Read on to learn more about her story.

1. What are your career/research interests? 

I have more than 40 years of extensive experience in conducting NIH funded multi-institution population-based studies, with a focus of genetic epidemiology and environmental interaction in the causation of chronic diseases, particularly in cancer, with particular focus on Breast cancer, pancreas cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. In addition to my work in research, I have a passion in promoting science and research for the future. I initiated the MS and PhD graduate degree program at UCI and mentored many graduate students, Masters and PhDs, medical fellows, and junior faculty, including those with NIH K07 awards, to facilitate career development of strong researchers at the University of California, Irvine.

2. How did your early life experiences shape your education and career choices? 

The PhD research topic that I had at the University of St Andrews in Scotland was related to epidemiology and exposure to pesticides and fungicides and the effect on farmers, and in particular, kidney disease. This initial project in the farmers population in Scotland helped me shape identifying risk for disease, evaluating mechanisms, as well as thinking about disease control and prevention.

3. What brought you to UCI?

I was recruited by the Department of Community and Environmental Medicine at UC Irvine School of Medicine with my strength in genetics and cancer, in particular families with breast cancer and colorectal cancer. The collaborations at UCI were excellent in terms of mechanism of disease including DNA repair mechanism as well as genetics and predisposition and susceptibility to cancer in families and how that will translate to population genetics and cancer.

4. How did you connect with others to build your own sense of community and belonging at work? 

I was given the opportunity to create a division of epidemiology which allowed me to recruit and retain several faculty in epidemiology. This formed the nucleus of faculty and researchers to create the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Medicine through the academic senate as well as the creation of the graduate degree program for masters and PhD in epidemiology at UCI. These accomplishments are major highlights of my career.

5. What motivates you to serve your community and contribute to the CFCCC mission? 

The potential of science and epidemiology is clearly, in my view, the only way to think about understanding mechanism of disease and health and develop processes and programs for community outreach, especially in special populations for disease control and prevention.

6. What challenges have you experienced in your professional journey?

I have experienced many challenges, however, a challenge is also a way to create solutions to solve these problems. Throughout my career, there were personal, professional, and career challenges. I am grateful for the fact that many of those were resolved and I am continuing that journey even now.

7. What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? 

I think it is in the area of breast cancer and familial breast cancer, and genetics, prevention, and control. Currently, I do believe that the All of Us Research Program is really an open door for amazing discoveries yet to come.

8. What are your interests/hobbies outside of work? 

I think my main hobby/interest is painting, oil and water, which I have been enjoying for years. Other interests include visiting national parks with the beauty of nature, and at home I do enjoy cooking and entertaining family and friends.

9. What is a fun or random fact about you? 

I used to drive a Winnebago around the country with two Bichon Frise dogs and my late husband to enjoy and visit the national parks.

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