Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide that disproportionately affects women and is the primary cause of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical carcinoma. The incidence rate of cervical cancer in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women is twice as high as in white women.
In today’s episode, we will talk with Dr. Naomi Lee and recently graduated Master’s student Crystal Morales about their current NACP project, "Viewing Native American Cervical Cancer Disparities through the Lens of the Vaginal Microbiome.” Together, they break down the biology of HPV, how it impacts AI/AN women, and the importance of screening for HPV and cervical cancer.
Dr. Naomi Lee is an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and grew up on the Cattaraugus Reservation in western New York. Dr. Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Dr. Lee’s research focuses on vaccine design that targets chronic and infectious diseases prevalent in Native American communities. Additionally, Dr. Lee is a COVID-19 Prevention Network (COVPN) member and a researcher through the Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) to address COVID-19 in Native American communities. Finally, Dr. Lee is a major in the Army Reserves and was assigned to the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Crystal Morales is a first-generation Mexican-American (Chicana) student who grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. Crystal recently graduated with a Master's in biology from NAU. Her thesis research involved creating novel HPV vaccines with peptide platforms and addressing the HPV and cervical cancer disparities within Native American communities. Crystal will pursue her Ph.D. at the University of Arizona with hopes of conducting cancer research and continuing to address health disparities.
*This interview was completed in March 2022. For those interested in participating in this research project, please contact the Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) at (928)526-2968 for further details.