Meet the HPV Cancer Prevention Team

The program is led by director Heather M. Brandt, PhD, a social and behavioral scientist and leader in cancer prevention and control, primarily in HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. Her research focuses on working with stakeholders to prevent and control cancer by using evidence-based interventions through innovative, partnered approaches. She is also a member of the Department of Epidemiology & Cancer Control.

“My approach to building a network of viable community members is to use the tenets of servant leadership—encouraging diversity of thought, creating a culture of trust, having an unselfish mindset, and fostering leadership.”

“I love the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I've worked in areas where I've seen firsthand how St. Jude will go above and beyond to accommodate the patient, the patient's parents/caregivers and family. It brings me joy to know this and how I'm able give this testimony of what a great place this is to work.”

“Through my work with the HPV Cancer Prevention Program, I hope that the general public will learn about the accessibility, safety, and efficacy of this vaccine,” says Brown. “I hope that there will be an increase in vaccination rates and a decrease in the number of deaths related to HPV cancers. There are so many tools and resources available to us that we can see prevention accomplished during our lifetime.”

“As a program coordinator, I strive to advocate for public health, by helping build awareness about how we can eliminate HPV with a vaccine," says Knowlton. "It is my goal to bridge any gaps of hesitancy and begin conversations of understanding.”

"Effective community outreach and coordination are about building trust and fostering collaboration. By actively listening to community needs and engaging stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, we can create tailored solutions that resonate with and effectively support our community."

"One of the things I value most about public health is the opportunity to work across sectors and disciplines to solve complex challenges. Cancer prevention requires collaboration, trust, and coordinated investment, and I’m proud to support efforts that bring those pieces together, because HPV vaccination is one of the most powerful tools we have to save lives across generations and communities worldwide.”

 “Through my work in HPV cancer prevention, I strive to empower communities with knowledge about the overall safety, effectiveness, and life-saving impact of the HPV vaccination. My overall wish is to see continued improvement and stronger HPV prevention efforts across the Southeast, and ultimately fewer lives affected by HPV-related cancers. With the partnerships, tools, and passion driving this work, I truly believe we can create a future where more cancers are prevented before they ever begin.”

“I hope that we can continue to grow the Southeast Roundtable to support parents and caregivers in making evidence-based HPV vaccination decisions, work with providers to make confident HPV vaccination recommendations, and share best practices to eliminate HPV cancers.”

“I will be working on identifying ways in which we can improve HPV vaccination for cancer prevention among two populations . . . children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences and childhood cancer survivors.”