The Best of the AACR Journals Collection: Author Profiles

Paulo S. Pinheiro

Title & Affiliation:
Research Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL.

Most-cited Article:
Cancer Mortality in Hispanic Ethnic Groups

Q: What is your primary area of study/research?
A: I am a cancer researcher focused on population-based cancer indicators, particularly among Hispanic minority groups (Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, etc.) but also among Asian and black subgroups (African American, Afro-Caribbean,). As an epidemiologist, I document and study the determinants of disparities in incidence, survival, and mortality among these groups; I also explore migrant cancer patterns. I have assessed methodologies in cancer surveillance data to study these groups, and created new, improved techniques.

Q: What influenced your decision to embark on a research career?
A: A family history of cancer and the intimate experience seeing the effects of this disease on my loved ones was the driving force behind my initial interest in studying cancer. When I went to medical school, I was quickly drawn to research when I realized the impact it could have on the population at large. Epidemiology, thinking critically about how we know what we know in health sciences, has been the perfect fit for me. I thrive on the challenge of making sense of complex numbers, identifying biases that might be impacting our numbers, and being able to describe them in ways that push the field forward.

Q; What excites you most about your research area?
A: As my research progresses, I find myself revealing previously undiscovered patterns, associations, and relationships. Whether the discovery is for a minor or major cancer, whether it is just a number, sometimes that number better explains who is impacted by cancer in the population and how; to me, that is exciting. You should see me when the numbers first come up on my screen after analysis and I realize the implications! I am particularly fascinated by the tremendous diversity of the American population and what we can accomplish by studying unique cancer patterns within these groups. Knowing how cancers are distributed, especially for minority populations who are often disadvantaged in cancer outcomes, has important public health and clinical implications. Being in a position to contribute to this, in however small a fashion, makes my research meaningful and fuels my passion for the work.

Q: What are your hobbies or passions outside of work?
A: I am an avid world traveler and native speaker of Portuguese; I am also fluent in Spanish and French. My travels often inspire my work as I see parallels between the observations I make in my research and in how others live. My tourist eye is predisposed to notice the environment in which people live and their lifestyles, sparking additional interest in understanding how these impact health and disease on a population level. My love for travelling has also inspired a passion for foreign cinema. When at home in Miami, I enjoy ocean swimming, hiking, photography and Latin rhythms.

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