She serves as a key faculty member, contributing to the center’s mission of reducing the cancer burden through precision medicine and community outreach.
Dr. Fejerman’s research is best known for exploring how influences breast cancer susceptibility and survival.
A major focus of her lab is the refinement of Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) , ensuring these tools are accurate for diverse populations rather than relying solely on data from individuals of European descent. Community Impact and "Promotores" Programs Ada Marta Fejerman
– A pivotal study identifying genetic variants unique to the Latina population.
Beyond the laboratory, Dr. Fejerman is a dedicated advocate for health equity. She co-developed a specialized program alongside (founder of the Latino Cancer Institute) to educate Spanish-speaking communities about hereditary breast cancer. She serves as a key faculty member, contributing
She has conducted extensive studies in countries like Peru and Colombia , identifying that certain tumor subtypes, such as HER2-positive and Luminal B , are significantly associated with specific ancestral markers.
Before her time at UC Davis, she was a prominent researcher at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) , where she initiated much of her foundational work on genetic admixture and cancer disparities. Groundbreaking Research: Ancestry and Breast Cancer A major focus of her lab is the
– Research detailing how ancestry-driven biological factors impact survival rates.
, often referred to in academic literature as Laura Fejerman , is a distinguished geneticist and epidemiologist whose work has transformed our understanding of breast cancer risk and outcomes within Latina and Latin American populations. Currently a professor and researcher at UC Davis , she leads the Fejerman Lab , which focuses on the complex interplay between genetic ancestry, environmental factors, and health disparities. Academic Background and Institutional Roles
The program trains community health educators ( promotores ) to deliver virtual and in-person sessions that identify women who may benefit from genetic counseling or mammograms.