From Discovery to Translation in Molecular Epidemiology: Unlocking the Potential of Large-Scale Biomarker Data for Cancer Prevention
Join us on Wednesday, April 29th for a joint seminar between the Department of Epidemiology and the Harvard Cancer Consortium featuring Dr. Ruth Travis discussing From Discovery to Translation in Molecular Epidemiology: Unlocking the Potential of Large-Scale Biomarker Data for Cancer Prevention.
Abstract: Advances in molecular epidemiology have transformed our ability to measure circulating biomarkers at scale, particularly through the application of high-throughput proteomic platforms in large prospective cohort studies. These developments have enabled the systematic identification of associations between molecular traits and cancer risk across populations. However, translating these discoveries into meaningful insights for prevention, risk stratification, and early detection remains a major challenge. This seminar will explore the opportunities and limitations of large-scale biomarker discovery, focusing on the integration of proteomic, genetic, and epidemiological data to strengthen causal inference and prioritise targets for intervention. It will also consider the methodological and structural barriers that currently limit translation, including issues of measurement, generalisability, and study design, and will discuss how interdisciplinary approaches and coordinated research infrastructure can help bridge the gap between association and action.
Bio: Ruth Travis is Professor of Epidemiology and Deputy Director of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit within the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford. She is internationally recognised for her research on the molecular and lifestyle determinants of chronic disease, with a particular focus on cancer. She leads a multidisciplinary research programme on the aetiology of prostate cancer funded by Cancer Research UK, alongside a pan-cancer programme integrating proteomic, genetic and epidemiological data across large-scale cohort studies such as EPIC and UK Biobank. She plays a leading role in major international consortia, including the PRACTICAL collaboration. Her work combines epidemiological and ‘omics approaches to advance understanding of cancer causation and inform cancer prevention, with a particular focus on translating large-scale molecular discovery into actionable insights for prevention. She is a member of the international ATLAS team, funded by Cancer Research UK through the Cancer Grand Challenges initiative, which brings together global expertise to uncover mechanisms of cancer avoidance and accelerate their translation into new approaches for prevention.
Speaker Information
Ruth Travis, BA, MSc, DPhil
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