Rebecca G. Nowak

Rebecca G. Nowak, PhD, MPH, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Public Health at the University of Maryland. She holds an additional appointment as Associate Member of the Population Science Program at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her primary research focuses on HIV and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) co-infections, particularly anal cancer prevention in at-risk populations including men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria.

Dr. Nowak earned a BA in Biology from Bowdoin College (1994), an MPH in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from Columbia University (2004), and a PhD in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University (2010). She completed postdoctoral training at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2013.

Her research examines immunological mechanisms of HR-HPV persistence in HIV-positive individuals, leveraging HIV care infrastructure for cancer prevention programs. She has pioneered anal cancer screening initiatives in Nigeria through the TRUST/RV368 Study Group, focusing on implementation science in resource-limited settings. Her work bridges molecular epidemiology, mucosal immunology, and public health interventions.

Recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on: 1) HPV/HIV co-infection dynamics, 2) implementation barriers for anal cancer screening in Africa, and 3) psychosocial factors affecting sexual health outcomes among gender minorities. Her 2024 Lancet HIV commentary advocates for expanded early detection programs.