Staff: Catherine M. Pichardo, PhD
Catherine M. Pichardo, PhD
Cancer Research Training Award Fellow
- Office of the Associate Director (OAD)
- Health Behaviors Research Branch (HBRB)
- Behavioral Research Program (BRP)
Catherine M. Pichardo, Ph.D., was a Cancer Research Training Award fellow in the Office of the Associate Director (OAD) and the Health Behaviors Research Branch (HBRB) of the Behavioral Research Program from January 2022 to November 2024.
Dr. Pichardo's research focuses on understanding the role of individual, interpersonal, and structural determinants of cancer-related disparities. Topics of interest include the influence of adverse environments on racial/ethnic minority health and health inequities.
Dr. Pichardo's primary area of expertise involves multilevel determinants of cardiometabolic health disparities using ecological and social approaches that consider contextual factors among racial/ethnic minorities. Within this topic, she has conducted studies of interpersonal racial/ethnic discrimination, neighborhood segregation, racism-related coping mechanisms, sleep, mental health, metabolic health, and cancer. Specifically, Dr. Pichardo pursues research examining how multidimensional factors- at the neighborhood and individual level- interact to influence mechanisms (i.e., lifestyle health behaviors), and metabolic functioning and physiologic biomarkers, and in turn produce inequities in cancer outcomes among racial/ethnic groups.
"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated December 2024
Current Title
Social and Behavioral Scientist Administrator - Program Officer
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
The CRTA fellowship confirmed my passion for health disparities and cancer prevention research, provided with opportunities to advance the science and explore career paths in government. Through hands-on learning, strong mentorship, and collaboration with renowned scientists, I had numerous opportunities to further my expertise and enhance my skills to pursue a career as a Program Officer. The fellowship contributed to both my personal and professional growth, allowing me to engage in a variety of extramural and intramural projects including secondary data analysis, organizing webinars, and participating in visioning workshops.
Describe a favorite memory or two from your fellowship experience.
I enjoyed working with an intradisciplinary team of scientists to organize webinars focused on cancer disparities and prevention.
Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I am a Program Officer at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), my work involves the administration of grant portfolios.
Awards, Honors, and Recognitions
- Fellows Award for Research Excellence 2024
Selected Publications and Presentations
- Jenkins BD, Rossi E, Pichardo C, Wooten W, Pichardo M, Tang W, Dorsey TH, Ajao A, Hutchison R, Moubadder L, McCullough LE, Bailey-Whyte M, Ambs S. Neighborhood Deprivation and DNA Methylation and Expression of Cancer Genes in Breast Tumors. JAMA Netw Open 2023 Nov 1; 6(11):e2341651.
- Pichardo CM, Chambers EC, Sanchez-Johnsen LAP, Pichardo MS, Gallo L, Talavera GA, Pirzada A, Roy A, Castañeda SF, Durazo-Arvizu RA, Perreira KM, Teng Y, Rodriguez CB, Allison M, Carlson JA, Daviglus ML, Plascak JJ. Association of census-tract level gentrification and income inequality with 6-year incidence of metabolic syndrome in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, an epidemiologic cohort study. Soc Sci Med 2023 Sep 9; 336:116222.
- Pichardo MS, Minas TZ, Pichardo CM, Bailey-Whyte M, Tang W, Dorsey TH, Wooten W, Ryan BM, Loffredo CA, Ambs S. Association of Neighborhood Deprivation With Prostate Cancer and Immune Markers in African American and European American Men. JAMA Netw Open 2023 Jan 3; 6(1):e2251745.
- Pichardo MS, Pichardo CM, Talavera GA, Gallo LC, Castañeda SF, Sotres-Alvarez D, Molina Y, Evenson KR, Daviglus ML, Hou L, Joyce B, Aviles-Santa L, Plascak J. Neighborhood segregation and cancer prevention guideline adherence in US Hispanic/Latino adults: Results from the HCHS/SOL. Front Oncol 2022 Dec 19; 12:1024572.
- Pichardo CM, Molina KM, Rosas CE, Uriostegui M, Sanchez-Johnsen L. Racial Discrimination and Depressive Symptoms among Latina/o College Students: The Role of Racism-Related Vigilance and Sleep. Race Soc Probl 2021 Jun; 13:86-101.
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