ADDRESSING H E A LT H E Q U I T Y I N C AN C ER GENOMIC S A N I N T E R V I E W W I T H L O R E N S A U L S B E R R Y, P H D B Y LY N D R A VA S S A R
While studies have confirmed that certain racial and ethnic groups are at greater risk for developing cancer and experiencing adverse health outcomes, progress is underway in cancer genomics to help eradicate well-documented disparities. Loren Saulsberry, PhD, a faculty member within the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center and assistant professor in health policy and health services research in the Department of Public Health Sciences, recently received a career development (K) award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop new research programs that prioritize health equity and serve the needs of underrepresented groups in genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics research.
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PATHWAYS TO DISCOVERY FALL 2021
C A N YO U S H A R E A B I T A B O U T W H O YO U A R E , YO U R P E R S O N A L BAC KG RO U N D A N D H OW IT ’ S S H A P E D Y O U R PA S S I O N F O R H E A LT H E Q U I T Y I N C A N C E R G EN O M I C S A N D PH A R M ACO GENOMICS RESEARCH?
I come from a very mixed family background, with people of all shades and levels of education, combined with lots of Southern culture. Growing up in Texas, I was exposed to lots of different languages and cultures. Despite living in what many people may consider the traditionally segregated South, I grew up experiencing more cultural mixing than some might imagine, so when I started pursuing research — particularly in health policy and health equity — bringing that diverse lens to my work was really important to me. I knew I wanted to focus on topics relevant to translational medicine and care delivery that would improve patient experiences and outcomes despite their personal background. Integrating health
