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Cliff Despres

Cliff Despres, who has more than a decade of experience in journalism and public relations, is communications director for Salud America! and its home base, the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.

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Articles by Cliff Despres

2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Rising Tide of Infection-Related Cancers


Session 1 – Rising Tide of Infection-Related Cancer Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Advancing the Prevention of HPV and Cervical Cancer Dr. Ana Patricia Ortiz is lead investigator and interim director of the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, and associate director of the Office of Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination at the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center. HPV and cervical cancer Dr. Ortiz began the presentation by explaining that human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide, and persistent infection with certain types of HPV is established as a ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Emerging Voices, Evolving Science


Session 4 – Emerging Voices Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Tobacco Use and Lung Cancer in Latinos in the U.S. Dr. Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable is Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (UCSF) and Former Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). Tobacco use in the US Dr. Pérez-Stable began by providing some background information on tobacco use in the US. Tobacco smoke is the main cause of lung cancer in the US with an attributable risk of 0.85. However, smoking rates have decreased in most populations over the past 35 years, and ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: International Latin American Researchers


Special Virtual Session – International Latin American Researchers Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Special Virtual Session featuring International Latin American Researchers Dr. Carolina Wiesner is the General Director and a researcher at the Instituto Nacional De Cancerología (INC) de Colombia. The presentation highlighted the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC) of Colombia as the country's leading public cancer center and a strategic partner for international research collaboration. The presentation also outlined the INC’s research ecosystem, including its National Cancer Research Network, active institutional research portfolio, participation in ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: New Developments in Precision Medicine


Industry Panel Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. BMS Global Representation and Health Dr. Angelic Acevedo is a Clinical Development Lead for Oncology as a part of the Organization for Latino Achievement (OLA) People and Business Resource Group (PBRG) at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). BMS strives for innovation and outcomes for every community by emphasizing representative research and fair access to care. Representative research means advancing science that is accessible, validated, and effective for all communities. This type of research means building trial-ready communities by fostering clinical research education, ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Fireside Chat featuring Cancer Center Directors


Cancer Center Directors Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Ruben A. Mesa, MD, FACP Dr. Ruben Mesa is the Director of the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, which serves 30 counties in Western North Carolina and South Carolina. Dr. Mesa stressed that no matter the headwinds affecting cancer research, leadership must keep focus on the North Star: to make an impact on cancer. This can be achieved through collaboration, and through remembering that the only competition is against cancer, not each other. Community Outreach and Engagement (COE), along with the local partnerships involved in these ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Technology & Communication


Panel D – Technology & Communication Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Combating Misinformation About Cancer Prevention on Social Media Among Latino Audiences Dr. Yonaira M. Rivera is Assistant Professor of Communication at Rutgers School of Communication & Information. Health misinformation on social media Dr. Rivera’s presentation began by discussing health misinformation on social media. In order to address social media-based health misinformation, 5 approaches are needed: enhanced surveillance, understanding psychological drivers, assessing real-world consequences, a focus on vulnerable populations, and the development ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Aging and Cancer


Panel B – Aging and Cancer - Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Tailored Care for Older Adults with Cancer Enrique Soto Perez de Celis, MD, PhD, is Associate Director for Global Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Challenges faced by older adult patients with cancer Dr. Soto began by noting that older adults face many disparities when accessing high-quality cancer care, especially those who are members of underrepresented populations. Conducting a geriatric assessment is essential to understanding patients and providing personalized care. Shared decision making should include patient preferences and priorities ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Research and Patient Leadership


Panel F – Research and Patient Leadership Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Clinical Research as a Lifeline: Navigating Relapse and Remission Through Evidence-Based Care Arnoldo Rodriguez is a cancer survivor and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy recipient. A cancer story Mr. Rodriguez’s presentation relayed lessons he learned as a cancer survivor. In 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Both his primary care doctor and oncologist were unempathetic and terse, leaving him feeling alone in his cancer journey. After conducting his own research, he chose to seek treatment at MD Anderson in Houston because of its ...

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2026 ACRLP Proceedings: From Law to Life


Session 5 – beyond barriers Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference Proceedings

This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026. Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Cancer Care and Outcomes Dr. Xuesong Han is Scientific Director of Health Services Research at the American Cancer Society. History of the Affordable Care Act Dr. Han’s research focuses on how health policies like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affect access to care and cancer outcomes. The ACA was signed into law in March of 2010 and is the largest healthcare system change in the US since the establishment of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Its goals are to improve health insurance coverage, quality of care, and ...

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