Dr. Rodriguez' research interests
involve study of both the medical and epidemiological aspects of cancer
prevention and control, particularly human papillomavirus (HPV)-related
diseases and cancer. Her current research focuses on the dissemination,
implementation, and sustainment of innovative and evidence-based
practices to improve cancer screening and HPV vaccinations. Her research
has been primarily funded by the Cancer Prevention Institute of Texas
(CPRIT) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Working with
collaborators across several institutions, she develops and tests
interventions in partnerships with community leaders and state and local
departments of health to promote and disseminate evidence-based
practices in clinical and community settings. In addition, she is
analyzing some specific clinical outcomes among HPV-vaccinated females
that could contribute to future changes in cervical cancer screening
guidelines for HPV-vaccinated females.
Dr.
Rodriguez is an emerging leader in the prevention of HPV-related
diseases and cancer among high-risk populations. Under her leadership on
the CPRIT project, Dr. Rodriguez' team successfully implemented one of
the first school-based vaccination programs in the state of Texas. The
school-based program dramatically increased HPV vaccination coverage in
Starr County among 11–12-year-old adolescent males and females (the
ideal age for HPV vaccination). This project demonstrates that a
school-based vaccination program is both effective and feasible in
increasing HPV vaccine coverage. Dr. Rodriguez is currently working on
expanding this project to other counties in the state. Furthermore, Dr.
Rodriguez is also working on increasing HPV vaccine uptake among other
high-risk patients, i.e., pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer
survivors living in medically underserved areas, such as the Rio Grande
Valley of Texas.