Photo of Helen  Swede, Ph.D.

Helen Swede, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Public Health Sciences
Program Director, Ph.D. in Public Health
Academic Office Location:
Public Health Sciences
UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-6325
Phone: 860-679-5568
Fax: 860-679-5463
Email: swede@uchc.edu
Education
DegreeInstitutionMajor
M.S.State University of New YorkIndustrial/Systems Engineering
Ph.D.State University of New YorkEpidemiology

Post-Graduate Training
TrainingInstitutionSpecialty
FellowshipRoswell Park Cancer Institute, National Cancer InstituteNational Cancer Institute, Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, Training Grant (R25CA1820)
FellowshipRoswell Park Cancer InstituteMolecular Epidemiology
PostdoctoralRoswell Park Cancer Institute, National Cancer InstitutePost-Doctoral Fellow, Molecular Epidemiology, NCI Core Grant (P30CA16056)

Awards
Name of Award/HonorAwarding Organization
Charles Huntington III Award, Best MPH Student Capstone Poster (Major Advisor)Master of Public Health Program
P*STAT Accreditation, Professional StatisticianAmerican Statistical Association
Olympus Award, Platform Talk (Senior Author)American College of Gastroenterology
Best Practices Award (Poster)NBCC Training Conference
Young Investigator Scholar AwardAmerican Association for Cancer Research

Course Instructor:


PUBH 5440 Chronic Disease Prevention and Control


PUBH 5497-F42 Public Health Genetics


PUBH 5436 Intermediate Epidemiology


 


 


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Name & DescriptionCategoryRoleTypeScopeStart YearEnd Year
Dean's CouncilAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity2023
LCME Accreditation Self-StudyAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity20232025
Nutrients (IF=6.9)Professional/Scientific JournalGuest Editor, Special Issue on CancerExternalInternational20222023
Scholarship & Discovery Oversight CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity2019
UCH Graduate Program CommitteeEducation CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity2019
SOM/SOD Academic Integrity Advisory CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity2019
Public Health Graduate Programs, Advisory CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeFaculty MemberUConn HealthState2016
mDelta Scholarship and Discovery: Capstone ProjectEducation CommitteeCo-DirectorUConn HealthUniversity2016
Professionalism Incident Report Triage CommitteeEducation CommitteeCo-ChairUConn HealthUniversity20162019
SOM Professionalism Review BoardEducation CommitteeFaculty MemberUConn HealthUniversity20162023
SOM Professionalism Review BoardEducation CommitteeFaculty MemberUConn HealthUniversity2016
Frontiers in OncologyProfessional/Scientific JournalEditorial BoardExternalInternational20152019
Public Health Graduate Programs, Admissions CommitteeEducation CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity2012
Biostatistics GroupProfessional/Scientific OrganizationMemberUConn HealthUniversity2011
Public Health Graduate Programs, Curriculum CommitteeEducation CommitteeMemberUConn HealthUniversity2010
Public Issues CouncilAdvisory CommitteeMember UConn HealthUniversity20082011
Young Survivor Coalition, New York CityAdvisory CommitteeScientific AdvisorExternalState2008
Statewide Biobank Advisory Committee, Connecticut Dept of Public HealthAdvisory CommitteeMember ExternalState20082009
City of Hartford Task Force on Cancer PreventionAdvisory CommitteeMember UConn HealthLocal20082010
Public Health Program Admissions CommitteeEducation CommitteeFaculty MemberUConn HealthUniversity2008
Study Section, NCI Small Grant Program in Epidemiology (R03)Study SectionAd Hoc MemberExternalNational20072012
Scientific Advisory Panel, Statewide Biobank Feasibility Study, CT DPH Advisory CommitteeMemberExternalState2007
NCI Small Grant Program in Epidemiology, NIH STUDY SECTIONStudy SectionAd hoc MemberExternalNational2007
Advisory Panel, Virtual Office of Genomics, Dept of Public Health, State of CTAdvisory CommitteeMember ExternalState20052006
Office of Genomics, CT DPH Professional/Scientific OrganizationAdvisory BoardExternalState20032006
Genetics Planning Team, Dept of Public Health, State of ConnecticutAdvisory CommitteeMember UConn HealthNational20032006
Data and Evaluation Sub-Committee, Connecticut Cancer PartnershipAdvisory CommitteeMember ExternalState20032010
Prevention Sub-Committee, Connecticut Cancer PartnershipAdvisory CommitteeMember ExternalState20032010
Connecticut Cancer Partnership Professional/Scientific OrganizationBoard of DirectorsExternalState20022007
Annual Retreat Committee, Dept of Cancer Prevention, Roswell Park Cancer InstituteAdvisory CommitteeMember ExternalUniversity20012002
Workshop on Grant Writing for New Investigators, Congress of EpidemiologyWorkshop/ConferenceCo-ModeratorExternalNational20012001
The LancetProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Cancer Causes and ControlProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and PreventionProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Clinical Cancer ResearchProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
American Journal of GastroenterologyProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Journal of Clinical OncologyProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Leukemia and LymphomaProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
Molecular CarcinogenesisProfessional/Scientific JournalReviewerExternalNational
mDelta Public Health Advocacy CapstoneAdvisory CommitteeCo-DirectorUConn HealthLocal
PhD ProgramCoordinatorUConn HealthLocal
Graduate School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion CommitteeAdvisory CommitteeChair EmeritaUConn HealthLocal
SOM Dean's Diversity CouncilAdvisory CommitteeMemberUConn HealthLocal

My primary research area addresses clinical and genetic prognostic factors in cancer with a focus on racial/ethnic disparities. I also examine the link between inflammation-related risk factors for cancer (e.g., obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity, and insulin resistance) and intermediate systemic biomarkers (e.g., CRP).

Journal Articles

Book Chapters

  • Etiology and Prevalence of Oral Cancer
    Swede H, Ioannido E US Surgeon General Report on Oral Health (2020)

Abstracts

  • Age and Cancer History as Risk Factors of Pre-Existing Autoimmunity in Patients Receiving Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment for Metastatic Melanoma: A Large Retrospective Study,
    Holmes AN, Wang X, Pike D, Feer W, Swede H, and Hegde U. American Society of Clinical Oncology, Conference, Platform Presentation, Medical Student Session, 2020
  • Dietary Inflammatory Index, Food Insecurity, Race, and Adolescent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
    Shankar K, Jaradat L, Bermudez-Millan A, **Swede H. CT Public Health Association Meeting, 2020
  • Increased Adhesiveness of Red Blood Cells from Sickle Cell Trait carriers after Exposure to Daunirubicin Breast Cancer Chemotherapeutic Agent
    Zhang J, Hadfield MJ, **Swede H, Andemariam B, Lykotrafitis G. Proceedings of the American Society of Hematology, 2020
  • Receipt of Work-Accommodations among continuously working Breast Cancer Survivors associated with having Adult Dependents at Home.
    Hundal J, Dugan AG, Namazi S, Swede H. ASCO 2023

Conference Papers

Monographs

  • Etiology and Prevalence of Oral Cancer.
    Swede H, Ioannido E US Surgeon General Report on Oral Health (2019 accepted)

Reviews

  • Ovarian cancer immunotherapy: opportunities, progresses and challenges.
    Liu, Bei; Nash, John; Runowicz, Carolyn; Swede, Helen; Stevens, Richard; Li, Zihai Journal of hematology & oncology 2010 Jan;37
  • National population-based biobanks for genetic research.
    Swede, Helen; Stone, Carol L; Norwood, Alyssa R Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics 2007 Mar;9(3):141-9
  • Limitations in the Existing Literature Regarding Mohs Surgery and Staged Excision for Melanoma: A Critical Review of Quality and Data Reporting.
    Aðalsteinsson JA, Stoj VJ, Algzlan H, Swede H, Torbeck, RL, Ratner D. JADD (under revision)

Short Surveys

Title or AbstractTypeSponsor/EventDate/YearLocation
Hundal J, Dugan A, Namazi S, Jones Z, **Swede H. Receipt of Work-Accommodations in relation to Job Tenure among working Breast Cancer Survivors.PosterASCO QI2024San Francisco
Hundal J, Dugan AG, Namazi S, **Swede H. Receipt of Work-Accommodations among continuously working Breast Cancer Survivors associated with having Adult Dependents at Home. ASCO 2023PosterASCO2023Chicago
Williams JE , Forlenza K, Swede H , Luciano D, Ulrich A. Vitamin D Deficiency in Black Women with Uterine FibroidsPosterGlobal Conference American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists2023Nashville
Lu Z, Clement JM, Pan Q, Swede H, Mehta R, Wang X. Patterns and predictors of treatment among patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): a real-world studyPosterASCO2021Chicago
Katz ME, Duffy VB, Papasavas P, Seip R, Tishler DS,*Swede H. Pre-Surgery Leptin Level as a Predictor of Weight Loss in Female Bariatric Surgery Patients.PosterASMBS2021
Dietary Inflammatory Index, Food Insecurity, Race, and Adolescent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseasePosterCT Public Health Association Annual Meeting2020CT Public Health Association
Geographic variation in the percentage of proximal colon cancer across the NCI SEER-9 Cancer Registries reflects varied Race/Ethnicity, Sex and Age DistributionsPosterDig Dis Week 2012
Adiposity attenuates association between regular statin use and increased number of Aberrant Crypt Foci in humansPosterAmerican Society of Preventive Oncology2012
Survival Disparities in Breast Cancer: Tumor Sub-type or Treatment Received? Panel Session on Health DisparitiesPanel DiscussionNational Medical Association Annual Meeting2012New Orleans, LA
Increased Frequency of Proximal Colon Cancer among Non-Hispanic Blacks, Females and Patients Age 60 or OlderTalkAmerican College of Gastroenterology, Annual Meeting2011Washington, DC
Periodontitis and Chronic Kidney Disease in Mexican AmericansPosterAADR Symposium: Oral Health Disparities Research2011
Aberrant Crypt Foci: CRC Pre-Cursors? TalkColumbia University School of Public Health2011New York, NY
Preventive Role of Statins in MelanomaTalkMelanoma Research Group, UCONN Health Center2011Farmington, CT
Triple-Negative Breast CancerTalkCT Breast Health Initiative, Annual Meeting2011
Obesity and CancerTalkOccupational Medicine Seminar Series, UCONN Health Center2010Farmington, CT
Outcome Disparities and Triple-Negative Breast CancerTalkBreast Cancer Symposium, UCONN Health Center2010Farmington, CT
Obesity: An emerging risk factor for certain cancersTalkDept of Occupational Medicine, UCONN Health Center2010Farmington, CT
C-Reactive Protein, Obesity, and Colorectal Cancer Mortality: A Prospective Study of the NHANES III-NDI DatasetTalkObesity Society Conference2009Washington, DC
Hospital and Statewide Tumor Research Registries in ConnecticutTalkUniversity of Pennsylvania, Tumor Registry Summit2009Philadelphia, PA
Development of a Pilot Registry on Breast Cancer in Women 40 years of Age and Under. Young Survival CoalitionPosterNational Breast Cancer Coalition, Advocacy Training Conference2008
A Pattern of Care Study evaluating. Surgical Staging for Uterine CancerPosterAmerican Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Annual Meeting2008
IGF System and Colon CancerTalkColon Cancer Colloquium, UCONN Health Center2008Farmington, CT
Obesity, Cancer, and GeneticsTalkAlcohol Research Group, UCONN Health Center2008Farmington, CT
History of Cancer: From Ancients to Modern EraTalkEastern Connecticut Health Network2007
Obesity: An emerging risk factor for certain cancersTalkDept of Community Medicine & Health Care, UCONN Health Center2007Farmington, CT
History of Cancer: From Ancients to Modern EraTalkHistory of Medicine Lecture Series, UCONN Health Center2006Farmington, CT
Geographic mapping of seasonal variation in diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Iowa 1974-1998PosterThe North American Association of Central Cancer Registries2005
Research Opportunities at the Connecticut Tumor RegistryTalkNCI Cancer Information Service, Yale Cancer Center2005New Haven, CT
Cancer surveillance and molecular epidemiology at the Connecticut Tumor RegistryTalkNeag Cancer Center Retreat, UCONN Health Center2005
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in non-smokers and non-drinkersTalkSociety of Surgical Oncology2003Los Angeles, CA
Prognostic value of HER2 in small breast TumorsTalkNew York University Cancer Institute2003New York, NY
Understanding cancer trends and screening, Co-led with Beth Mielcarek, RN, MSNTalkDepartment of Public Health, State of Connecticut2003Hartford, CT
Does ras mutation drive intra-chromosomal genomic instability in cancer? TalkSymposium on Fundamental Cancer Research, Genomic Integrity2002Houston, TX
A more sensitive proliferation marker than Ki-67 for squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynxPosterAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology2002
Regular aspirin use and breast cancer riskPosterAmerican Association for Cancer Research2002
Selenium chemoprevention in lung cancerTalkEpidemiology and Public Health, Yale2002New Haven, CT
Intra-chromosomal genomic instability in colon cancerTalkYale Cancer Center2002New Haven, CT
Breast cancer risk factors and HER2 overexpression in tumorsTalkCongress of Epidemiology/Society for Epidemiologic Research2001Toronto, Canada
Breast cancer risk factors and HER2 overexpression in tumors (ibid)TalkAmerican Society of Preventive Oncology2001New York, NY
Cigarette smoking and gelsolin loss in non-small cell lung cancer patientsPosterCongress of Epidemiology 2001
HER2 in breast cancer and tumor sizeTalkEpidemiology and Public Health, Yale2001New Haven, CT
Etiologic significance of HER2 in breast cancerTalkMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center2001New York, NY
Genetic epidemiologyTalkPrevention Grand Rounds, Roswell Park Cancer Institute 2001Buffalo, NY
Molecular epidemiology of colon cancerTalkSurgical Fellows, Roswell Park Cancer Institute 2001Buffalo, NY
Tumor size and HER2 overexpression in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breastPosterAmerican Association for Cancer Research2000
HER2 in breast cancerTalkPrevention Grand Rounds, Roswell Park Cancer Institute 2000Buffalo, NY
Gelsolin as a tumor suppressor gene in Lung CancerTalkDepartment of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute2000Buffalo, NY
Family history of cancer and health-related behaviors in a cancer screening clinic populationPosterAmerican Association for Cancer Research1999
Weight change and breast cancer risk: ORDET StudyPosterSan Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 1997San Antonio, CA
Epidemiologic methodsTalkResidents and Fellows, Mercy Hospital1997Buffalo, NY
Introductory biostatisticsTalkSurgical Fellows, Roswell Park Cancer Institute 1996Buffalo, NY
User Study of Freehand Recognition DevicePosterEastman Kodak Innovations Forum1987