Ada Marta Fejerman !full! 〈Desktop〉
Beyond the laboratory, Dr. Fejerman is a dedicated advocate for health equity. She co-developed a specialized program alongside (founder of the Latino Cancer Institute) to educate Spanish-speaking communities about hereditary breast cancer.
She serves as a key faculty member, contributing to the center’s mission of reducing the cancer burden through precision medicine and community outreach.
As the principal investigator, she oversees research into breast cancer genetics, specifically investigating common risk-associated genetic variants and the development of polygenic risk scores (PRS) tailored for women of Latin American heritage. Ada Marta Fejerman
The program trains community health educators ( promotores ) to deliver virtual and in-person sessions that identify women who may benefit from genetic counseling or mammograms.
Her work has shown that Latina women with higher levels of Indigenous American ancestry may have a lower overall risk of developing breast cancer but often face worse outcomes once diagnosed. Beyond the laboratory, Dr
– A pivotal study identifying genetic variants unique to the Latina population.
– Research detailing how ancestry-driven biological factors impact survival rates. She serves as a key faculty member, contributing
Her extensive publication record in journals like Nature Communications , Cancer Research , and PLOS Genetics highlights her influence on the field. Notable contributions include:
A major focus of her lab is the refinement of Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) , ensuring these tools are accurate for diverse populations rather than relying solely on data from individuals of European descent. Community Impact and "Promotores" Programs
She has conducted extensive studies in countries like Peru and Colombia , identifying that certain tumor subtypes, such as HER2-positive and Luminal B , are significantly associated with specific ancestral markers.