Dr. Gong investigates the role of genetic/epigenetic, nutritional, and other lifestyle factors in the etiology and outcomes of several types of cancers. Specifically, her interests are to study dietary and other lifestyle factors, genetic variants in various pathways, gene-environment interactions, DNA methylation and noncoding RNAs (microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs), and their association with risk of cancer, cancer outcomes, and racial disparities.

For this newly NCI-funded five-year R01 grant, Dr. Gong focuses on elucidating the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) regulations in breast cancer among African American (AA) women. This research will integrate data across several -omic domains (i.e., DNA methylation and gene expression) and extensive epidemiological and outcome data (e.g., diet, obesity), which allows for a comprehensive understanding of how lncRNAs, combined with DNA methylation and lifestyle factors, regulate the underlying molecular mechanisms in breast cancer progression and prognosis. This proposed study will make significant contributions to the effort of identifying prognostic markers and molecular mechanisms involved in breast cancer progression and deaths among AA women, who experience the largest disparities in breast cancer outcomes, with a goal of reducing mortality from this disease.