Our lab is committed to revolutionizing cancer prevention and control for younger generations by integrating and uniting population science, mechanistic research, and implementation science. Below, we highlight the interdisciplinary initiatives we are leading both locally and globally. We enthusiastically welcome interdisciplinary collaborations with individuals from all backgrounds who share our passion for making a meaningful impact on this vital journey.
Team PROSPECT Addressing Challenge on “Early-onset Cancers”
More and more people under 50 years of age are being diagnosed with bowel (or colorectal) cancer in at least 18 countries around the world. These cases are called early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), and each new generation faces higher risks of developing this cancer type.
Co-led by Dr. Cao, Team PROSPECT is set to revolutionize the battle against Early-onset colorectal cancers with a bold, interdisciplinary strategy. By integrating systems epidemiology, cutting-edge laboratory research, and transformative clinical interventions, PROSPECT seeks to uncover the root causes and mechanisms driving this concerning trend throughout the life course. The team is dedicated to pioneering and rigorously testing strategies that will safeguard future generations from this devastating disease.
Air Quality and Health Initiative
Air quality is a critical environmental factor influencing health outcomes, linked to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes. To address this, WashU proposed Transcend Initiatives to bring together researchers with diverse backgrounds and disciplines from across multiple schools and departments.
Biobank Big Data Core
The overarching mission of the WU-DDRCC is to promote collaborative, multidisciplinary research focused on interactions between the host and the environment in digestive diseases. The Biobank Big Data (BBD) Core, formerly known as the Biobank Core, supports this mission by promoting clinical translational research across a wide range of digestive diseases. It provides expert consultation on study design, data access, and analysis from large-scale cohorts and biobanks, ensuring robust and methodologically sound research.