Training and camaraderie were key components of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program annual retreat
Adriana Maldonado introduces herself during the new member lightning rounds at the CPCP 2025 retreat.
More than 50 members of the University of Arizona Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control Program met for an annual retreat on April 11 at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.
Jennifer Bea, PhD, and Heidi Hamann, PhD, co-leaders of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the University of Arizona Cancer Center, led the group through a new member welcome, a funding workshop, lightning rounds with cancer center trainees and a cooking demonstration with Tucson Village Farm members.
“Dr. Hamann, the planning committee, and I wanted to reinforce all that the members have accomplished this year and provide resources for moving forward in an ever-challenging funding environment,” Bea said.
At the retreat, Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Director of the Cancer Center and a professor in the College of Medicine, introduced his vision for CPCP.
“We don't know what cancer care is going to 50 years, but I really think that the future is fundamentally in prevention because we know so much already,” he said. “We know much more than 50 years ago.”
Theodorescu highlighted the importance of cancer prevention and control as a fundamental component of the cancer center’s research and educational work in the local community.
Honoring three members
During the event, Bea presented three CPCP members with awards. Denise Roe, DrPH, won the Impact Award, Rina Fox, PhD, won the Rising Star Award and Sarah Yeo, PhD, won the Outstanding Trainee Award.
Fox was nominated by cancer center member Terry Badger, PhD, RN, Eleanor Bauwens Endowed Chair and Professor, interim associate dean of research, College of Nursing, Tucson. Fox has a National Cancer Institute K08 award, a Level 1 grant from the Institute for Mental Health Research and R01 funding from the Department of Defense. She has published 73 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has received honors from the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention, the Society of Behavioral Health, the Society of Behavioral Medicine Cancer Special Interest Group and the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is also a mentor for young scientists in the U of A College of Nursing.
“This strong commitment to professional service is part of what makes Dr. Fox an emerging leader who deserves this award,” Badger said.
Yeo was nominated by Gloria Coronado, PhD, Maynard Endowed Scientist in Cancer Prevention Research, associate director of population sciences, at the U of A Cancer Center and a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, U of A College of Public Health Administration.
At the U of A Cancer Center, Yeo is a National Institutes of Health T32 postdoctoral fellow, having completed her doctoral degree in the U of A Health Behavior Health Promotion Program in 2023.
“Sarah possesses extensive international experience in program management and evaluation for organizations such as World Vision and the International Rescue Committee,” Coronado said. “Her professional background reflects a deep commitment to supporting vulnerable populations.”
From 2012 to 2013, Yeo served as a research fellow for a Malawi-based project focused on HIV/AIDS prevention. Over the following decade, she led the evaluation of programs in Bangladesh, Guatemala, and Jamaica, each addressing critical issues such as maternal and child health, water sanitation, and workforce training for deaf youth. This breadth of experience enriches her research perspective.
“She exemplifies the best of emerging research talent in cancer prevention and health disparities,” Coronado said.
Denise Roe was nominated by Bea for the Impact Award. Roe is a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and a longtime member of the CPC Program. She has been the director of the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource at the cancer center since 2009. Roe has authored and co-authored more than 150 manuscripts and several book chapters. She has led and supported many state, federal, and industry funded grants that span several pages in her cv. Roe has held local and national leadership roles, such as president-elect, president, and past-president of the Western North American Region of the International Biometric Society, from 1999–2001, and as a member of the Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies, from 1999–2001.
“Beyond her incredible expertise and support of the research community, Dr. Roe is a kind and generous collaborator and teacher,” Bea said. “She has trained the next generation of statistical leaders and won notable teaching awards in the process.”
Welcoming new members
The retreat included a five-minute lighting round introducing CPCP new members. They are:
Julie Armin, PhD, assistant professor in the U of A School of Anthropology in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Stephen Adamo, PhD, assistant professor of the Cognition and Neural Systems in psychology and medical imaging and director of Attention Detection And Medical Observation (ADAMO) Lab
Adriana Maldonado, assistant professor in the Department of Health Promotion Sciences
Anna Morenz, MD, assistant clinical professor, general internal medicine, geriatrics and palliative medicine
Patricia Thompson, PhD, professor of physiology
Rachel Adler, PhD, MSN, chair of nursing and health sciences and a professor in nursing
Attendees also reviewed available grant opportunities in breakout sessions. In the afternoon, students Sophia Gotham, Fiona Webb, Anna Haralson and Shelby Ziller, who are trainees through the cancer center’s Office of Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination, presented their work in five-minute lightning rounds each.
Chef Becky Yim from Tucson Village Farm, a seed-to-table program for youth to experience all aspects of healthy food, gave a presentation of a few simple recipes for cancer prevention.
Bea said that in unprecedented times, gathering together is a gift for all members to give them the opportunity to diversify funding, network and celebrate cancer center CPCP successes. She thanked retreat planning committee members Travis Sawyer, DK Kang, Heidi Brown, Meghan Skiba, Heidi Hamann, and Sammy Milan.
“We feel strong and know that we can carry forward with our new director, energy of new members, fortitude of ongoing members, and careful planning our future,” Bea said.
Dan Theodorescu, director of the U of A Cancer Center, introduces his work at the CPCP 2025 retreat.
From left, Patricia Thompson, Rachel Adler and DongKyun Kang collaborate during a breakout session at the CPCP 2025 retreat.
From left, Chris Lim speaks during a session with Josheili Llavona-Ortiz, Denise Roe and facilitator Karen Hastings.
Stephen Adamo introduces his work to CPCP members during a lightning round session at the CPCP retreat.
From left, Josheili Llavona-Ortiz, Denise Roe (hidden), Karen Hastings, Anna Morenz and Gloria Coronado meet together during a breakout session at the CPCP 2025 retreat.
Chef Becky Yim gives a food demonstration to attendees of the CPCP retreat on April 11.
Fruits and vegetables are ready for preparation by Chef Becky Yim from Tucson Village Farm.
A plate of nutritious power balls are ready to be served at the retreat.
Jennifer Bea presents Sarah Yeo with an award at the CPCP Retreat on April 11.
CPCP student trainees introduce their current projects at the CPCP retreat.
A student speaks introduces her research during the CPCP retreat.
From left, Jennifer Bea presents Rina Fox with the Rising Star Award at the CPCP retreat.