Mariana C. Stern

Stern was born on April 15, 1967 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[1] She completed her B.S. (1992) and M.S. in biology at the University of Buenos Aires, School of Science.^[2] She obtained a Ph.D. in cancer biology from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 1997.^[2] Her dissertation was titled, Genetic Analysis of Tumor Progression Susceptibility in the Mouse Skin Model.^[1] Stern's research identified a dominant gene on chromosome 14 that influences tumor progression in mouse skin carcinogenesis, with findings showing increased proliferation, genomic instability, and overexpression of key proteins in susceptible strains.^[1] Claudio J. Conti was her supervisory professor during her doctoral research.^[1] Stern undertook postdoctoral training in epidemiology at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences from 1997 to 2001.^[2]

In 2001 Stern began her academic career as a faculty member in the department of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC at the University of Southern California (USC).^[2] Her early work focused on cancer epidemiology, and she developed an interest in understanding cancer disparities among minority populations.^[3] Trained in cancer biology and population sciences, she explores the environmental and genetic risk factors for cancer, with a particular emphasis on dietary exposures and their potential role in cancer risk.^[3]

In 2016, Stern expanded her role at USC by joining the department of urology, bridging preventive medicine and clinical research.^[2] Her research includes clinical epidemiological studies that address disparities in cancer outcomes for minority groups, especially among Latino and Black populations.^[3] She collaborates extensively with the Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program to examine cancer patterns in these communities.^[2]

Stern is the associate director for population sciences at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCCC) and serves as the Ira Goodman Chair in Cancer Research.^[2] Stern plays a role in national initiatives aimed at improving cancer research and health equity.^[2] She is the co-director and co-principal investigator for the Florida-California Cancer Research, Education, and Engagement (CaRE2) Health Equity Center.^[2] This program, funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), fosters partnerships between USC, the University of Florida, and Florida A&M University to address cancer disparities.^[2]

Stern is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), where she serves on the minorities in cancer research council.^[2] Her publications cover a wide range of topics in cancer epidemiology, including the role of diet in cancer risk, genetic risk factors, and prostate and colorectal cancer disparities.^[3] Stern mentors the next generation of minority researchers, particularly through her involvement in education and training programs like CaRE2's summer cancer research education and training program.^[2]