Denise Laronde

Denise Laronde serves as a Professor in the Department of Oral Biological & Medical Sciences at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Dentistry, with significant affiliations to the BC Cancer Research Institute. She actively supervises graduate students in Craniofacial Science (MSc and PhD programs) and focuses on advancing oral cancer prevention through rigorous translational research.

Her research program centers on oral cancer screening methodologies, early detection biomarkers, and malignant transformation mechanisms in oral premalignant lesions. Key methodologies include longitudinal dysplasia progression studies, molecular biomarker analysis (particularly E-cadherin and beta-catenin pathways), and community-based screening initiatives targeting high-risk populations. She also investigates systemic healthcare barriers, notably among dental hygiene professionals.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals three dominant research thrusts: (1) Development of risk stratification models for oral cancer screening programs, (2) Molecular characterization of dysplasia progression through biomarker and microbiome analysis, and (3) Implementation science addressing real-world barriers in oral cancer prevention across diverse settings from rural India to Canadian dental practices. This work consistently bridges laboratory discovery with community application.

Dr. Laronde maintains active collaborations through the BC Cancer Research Institute, emphasizing multidisciplinary approaches to oral cancer prevention. Her recent work on HPV vaccination perceptions among dentists and microbiome-based progression predictors demonstrates ongoing innovation in translating research into clinical practice.