Dr. Jeremy Davis, Peter Angelos Distinguished Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology, UMB School of Medicine
Dr. Warner Alpízar Alpízar, Professor of Biochemistry, UCR
As people age, biological changes accumulate that can increase the risk of cancer, but environmental and occupational exposures may influence how aging and cancer development occur. This study will investigate whether factors such as pesticide exposure and lifestyle habits are linked to changes in DNA that reflect accelerated biological aging and greater susceptibility to stomach cancer in the high-risk Dota region of Costa Rica. By studying both stomach cancer patients and their family members, researchers will examine genetic and epigenetic markers that may help explain why some individuals are more vulnerable to cancer than others, even when they share similar environments. The findings may identify modifiable risk factors and early biological warning signs that can guide future cancer prevention, screening, and healthy aging strategies in high-risk populations.
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