Brenda Y. Hernandez, PhD, MPH
Principal Investigator, Hawaiʻi Tumor Registry, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Co-Director, Pathology Shared Resource, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Full Member, Population Sciences in the Pacific Program (Cancer Epidemiology), University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointment(s):
Professor (Researcher), University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Associate Graduate Faculty, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Degree(s):
PhD, Epidemiology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
MPH, Epidemiology, Yale University School of Medicine
Honor(s)
NIH Cancer Heart, and Sleep Study Section
Delta Omega Honor Society in Public Health
Meiji Endowment for Research Training
National Cancer Institute National Research Training Award
Research Focus
A major focus of my research is infection and cancer with a major focus on human papillomavirus (HPV). I have conducted extensive research on the molecular epidemiology and natural history of HPV and its role in the development and progression of anogenital and head & neck cancers. My research has included collaborative studies of HPV throughout the U.S., Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. More recently, my research has extended to the role of the oral bacterial microbiome and bacterial metabolites in chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. My research also focuses on understanding racial/ethnic disparities in cancer development and outcomes with a focus on molecular biomarkers of risk and progression.
Selected Publications
Hernandez BY, Zhu X, Risch HA, Lu L, Ma X, Irwin ML, Lim JK, Taddei TH, Pawlish KS, Stroup AM, Brown R, Wang Z, Wong LL, Yu H. (2021). Oral Cyanobacteria and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; Oct 25.
Hernandez BY, Zhu X, Sotto P, Paulino Y. (2021). Oral exposure to environmental Cyanobacteria toxins: implications for cancer risk. Environ Int;Mar;148: 06381.
Hernandez BY, Lynch CF, Chan OTM, Goodman MT, Unger ER, Steinau M, Thompson TD, Gillison M, Lyu C, Saraiya M. (2019). Human papillomavirus DNA detection, p16INK4a, and oral cavity cancer in a U.S. population. Oral Oncol; 91: 92-96.
Hernandez BY, Tareg AC, Reichhardt M, Agapito A, Zhu X, Sy A, Yuji A, Killeen J, Chan O, Buenconsejo-Lum LE. (2018). Randomized controlled trial evaluating the utility of urine HPV DNA for cervical cancer screening in a Pacific Island population. J Glob Health Rep;2. pii: e2018016.
Hernandez BY, Zhu X, Goodman MT, Gatewood R, Mendiola P, Quinata K, Paulino YC. (2017). Betel nut chewing, oral premalignant lesions, and the oral microbiome. PLoS One; 12(2):e0172196.
For a complete list of Dr. Hernandez's publications, see her NIH MyBibliography website.
Active Grants
B. Hernandez, PI
National Cancer Institute
HHSN261201800011I
"Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results"
05/01/2018 – 04/30/2028
B. Hernandez,Co-PI; N. Palafox, MPI
National Cancer Institute
U54CA143727
“Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity”
Full Project: "Cyanotoxins and Liver Cancer Development in Two High-Risk Populations"
09/28/2009 – 08/31/2025
B. Hernandez, Project Co-Leader; N. Palafox, MPI
National Cancer Institute
U54CA143727
“Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity”
Full Project: "Cyanotoxins and Liver Cancer Development in Two High-Risk Populations"
09/28/2021 - 08/31/2024
B. Hernandez, Co-Investigator; L. Loo, I. Cheng, MPIs
National Cancer Institute
R01CA229815
“Role of 27-hydroxycholesterol in Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Multiethnic Study”
03/01/2019 – 02/28/2024
