The Best of the AACR Journals Collection: Author Profiles

Kala Visvanathan

Title & Affiliation:
Professor, Director of the Cancer Epidemiology Track and Director of the Clinical Cancer Genetics and Prevention Service, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

Most-cited Article:
Fallopian Tube Lesions in Women at High Risk for Ovarian Cancer: A Multicenter Study

Q: What is your primary area of study/research?
A: My research is focused on the primary and secondary prevention of breast and ovarian cancer. My team has conducted clinical and observational studies to inform the etiology of breast and ovarian cancer, identify at-risk groups, and examine the impact of both preventive and therapeutic agents on cancer outcomes.

Q: What influenced your decision to embark on a research career?
A: Early on as a clinician, I was moved by the significant impact of a cancer diagnosis on my patients and their families. Their experiences inspired me to conduct clinical and observational studies focused on cancer prevention, and to utilize novel biomarkers to identify at-risk individuals and characterize precursor lesions.

Q; What excites you most about your research area?
A: The potential application of cutting-edge technologies and new methodology to improve the early detection and prevention of breast and ovarian cancer.

Q: What are your hobbies or passions outside of work?
A: I love to travel to new places, meet new people, and learn about new cultures, try new recipes, gardening, and sports.