Maira Castaneda Avila

Maira Castaneda Avila is an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School within the T.H. Chan School of Medicine and the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences. Her work bridges epidemiology, public health, and cancer research, with a focus on health disparities among Hispanic populations.

Education:

• B.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology from Ana G. Mendez University
• M.S. in Epidemiology from the University of Puerto Rico
• Ph.D. in Clinical & Population Health from University of Massachusetts Medical School

Her research emphasizes cancer screening disparities, neoplasms (particularly colorectal and hematologic cancers), and the intersection of chronic conditions with healthcare access. Recent publications highlight trends in colorectal cancer screening, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and HPV-related health outcomes in Puerto Rican communities.

Collaborative networks include co-authors like Mara Epstein and Kate Lapane, with affiliations across UMass Chan's departments and graduate schools. Her work spans interdisciplinary domains, including molecular biology, social sciences, and clinical epidemiology.