Silvia Franceschi Delivers Division Seminar, Discusses Research with DCEG Investigators
, by DCEG Staff
Silvia Franceschi at the January seminar
In January 2017, Silvia Franceschi, M.D., head of the Infections and Cancer Epidemiology Group at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and special advisor to the IARC Director, visited DCEG to give a seminar on cervical cancer prevention in low and middle income countries. The visit was organized by Ruth Pfeiffer, Ph.D., and Jennifer Loukissas, M.P.P. The preceding afternoon, Dr. Franceschi received the 2017 Rosalind E. Franklin Award, at the annual NCI Intramural Retreat. The Franklin Award is given by the Women Scientist Advisors of the NCI Intramural Program. It recognizes outstanding women in cancer research.
During her talk, Dr. Franceschi described opportunities for the prevention of HPV-associated cervical cancer in developing countries. She talked in detail about an example of her work – an ongoing IARC study in Bhutan where vaccination programs implemented through the schools vastly outperformed the health clinic setting approach.
Dr. Franceschi’s visit also included a roundtable discussion with tenure-track investigators to discuss new research projects from around the Division. The fellows later engaged in a lively conversation with her that spanned work on cervical cancer, HPV vaccination and screenings, and her experience with international research collaborations.
Long-term collaborators, friends and former mentees enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with Dr. Franceschi and brainstorm about new opportunities for collaboration.