Professor, Moffitt Cancer Center, United States
Dr. Anna R. Giuliano, Ph.D., is a distinguished professor, cancer epidemiologist, and visionary public health leader dedicated to the prevention of virus-associated cancers. She currently serves as Founding Director of the Center for Immunization and Infection Research in Cancer at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, where she pioneers research at the intersection of infectious diseases and oncology.
👩🔬Professional Profile
ORCID
🎓 Education
Dr. Giuliano earned her Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from Tufts University (1990), where she explored calcium transport mechanisms in intestinal cells. 🧫 Prior to that, she completed an M.S. in Nutrition and a B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology from SUNY Stony Brook, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa 🎓. Her postdoctoral training included an NCI Fellowship in Cancer Prevention and Etiology at the University of Arizona, further anchoring her in epidemiological research. 🧪
🧑🏫 Experience
With over three decades of academic and research leadership, Dr. Giuliano has held multiple tenured faculty positions at the University of Arizona and the University of South Florida. 🏛️ She served as Chair and Program Leader of Cancer Epidemiology at Moffitt Cancer Center (2004–2011) and has been a tenured professor in multiple departments since 2004.
Her international consulting roles span from Haiti 🇭🇹 to Nepal 🇳🇵 to Kenya 🇰🇪, where she collaborated with CARE, USAID, and ADRA on critical nutrition and health security assessments. She is widely respected for her culturally sensitive, data-driven, and community-based health interventions across global settings. 🌐
Dr. Giuliano’s research centers on HPV-related cancer prevention, vaccine efficacy, and the natural history of HPV infection in both men and women. 💉 She has been instrumental in expanding the evidence base supporting HPV vaccination for males, leading to global policy shifts and improved cancer prevention outcomes. She also explores the role of biomarkers and epigenetics in early cancer detection, with a strong translational research approach. 🧬
🏅 Awards & Honors
Dr. Giuliano’s contributions have been celebrated with numerous accolades, including:
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🏆 Joseph F. Fraumeni Jr. Distinguished Achievement Award (2019)
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🌟 Moffitt Cancer Center Researcher of the Year (2011, 2022)
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📊 Top Publication Awards, JAMA Oncology (2022)
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👩⚕️ American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor Award (2018–2023)
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🌸 President Elect, International Papillomavirus Society (2021–present)
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🎖️ Most Cited Faculty Member, Moffitt Cancer Center (2007)
📚 Publications Top Notes
1. Immunogenicity of the 9-valent human papillomavirus vaccine: Post hoc analysis from five phase 3 studies
Journal: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
Publication Date: December 31, 2025
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2425146
Contributors: Anna R. Giuliano, Joel M. Palefsky, Stephen E. Goldstone, Jacob Bornstein, Ilse De Coster, Ana María Guevara, Ole Mogensen, Andrea Schilling, Pierre Van Damme, Corinne Vandermeulen, et al.
Summary:
This comprehensive post hoc analysis combined data from five Phase 3 clinical trials to evaluate the immunogenicity of the 9-valent HPV vaccine across different demographics. Results demonstrated robust antibody responses in males and females aged 9–26 years, with especially high titers in adolescents. Differences in responses by gender and sexual orientation were also noted. The study confirms the vaccine’s strong and consistent immunogenic profile, supporting its global use for both cancer and genital wart prevention across populations.
2. Natural history of HPV-16 E6 serology among cancer-free men in a multicenter longitudinal cohort study
Journal: JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Publication Date: May 1, 2025
DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djae326
Contributors: Jaimie Z. Shing, Anna R. Giuliano, Nicole Brenner, Birgitta Michels, Allan Hildesheim, Sudhir Srivastava, Bradley A. Sirak, John Schussler, Danping Liu, Wendy Wang, et al.
Summary:
This study tracked HPV-16 E6 antibody prevalence and persistence in nearly 4,000 cancer-free men from Brazil, Mexico, and the U.S. It found that while E6 seropositivity was rare (0.35%), it was highly persistent and more common in older men. A strong association was observed between oral HPV-16 DNA and E6 seropositivity. The findings suggest that HPV-16 E6 antibodies could serve as early biomarkers for oropharyngeal cancer risk, aiding in future screening strategies.
3. Identification of a Biomarker Panel from Genome-Wide Methylation to Detect Early HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Journal: Cancer Prevention Research
Publication Date: April 2, 2024
DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-23-0317
Contributors: Brittney L. Dickey, Ryan M. Putney, Michael J. Schell, Anders E. Berglund, Antonio L. Amelio, Jimmy J. Caudell, Christine H. Chung, Anna R. Giuliano
Summary:
In this cutting-edge translational study, researchers used genome-wide methylation data to identify a panel of biomarkers for the early detection of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. The biomarker panel demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing early cancer cases from healthy individuals. Dr. Giuliano’s contribution to this work supports the development of non-invasive screening tools that could revolutionize early cancer detection and improve patient outcomes.
4. Data from Identification of a Biomarker Panel from Genome-Wide Methylation to Detect Early HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer
Platform: Preprint
Publication Date: April 2, 2024
DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.c.7160199
Contributors: Same as above
Summary:
This preprint presents the raw and supplementary data associated with the biomarker panel study (see item 3). It provides detailed methodologies, validation datasets, and analytical workflows used in detecting methylation changes associated with early HPV-driven cancers. This open-access resource enables replication and further exploration by other cancer prevention researchers.
5. Data from Identification of a Biomarker Panel from Genome-Wide Methylation to Detect Early HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer (Version 1)
Platform: Preprint (Version 1)
Publication Date: April 2, 2024
DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.c.7160199.v1
Contributors: Same as above
Summary:
This version 1 dataset provides the initial analysis and raw findings from the methylation study. The release of multiple versions reflects a commitment to transparency and continuous scientific improvement. These data have supported downstream publications and are foundational to future clinical applications in HPV cancer diagnostics.
🎯 Conclusion
Dr. Anna R. Giuliano is a pioneering figure whose lifelong commitment to cancer prevention has reshaped global health paradigms. From pioneering HPV vaccine research in men to improving cancer screening among marginalized populations, her impact spans continents, disciplines, and generations. 🌍 Her leadership, scholarship, and advocacy for equitable healthcare make her a truly deserving candidate for this award. 🏅
