Research Summary

As Director of the Global Cancer Program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, I oversee UCSF’s portfolio of research and capacity-building projects in low and middle-income countries as well as educational programs for training in global oncology. My research interest focuses on the epidemiology of gastrointestinal cancers both in the United States and globally, with the aim to improve clinical outcomes and reduce disparities. In collaboration with Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences and Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Tanzania, I am the Principal Investigator of studies to evaluate the etiology of the disproportionately high burden of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in East Africa. I am the Principal Investigator of a D43 award that is building the first-ever cancer research training program in Tanzania. I am also actively engaged in research on the increasing burden of early-onset colorectal cancer in the United States and the disproportionate impact of this disease on black and Latinx communities. I have partnered with the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (National Cancer Institute) and Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (National Institute of Public Health) in Mexico to develop a collaborative research program to evaluate the changing epidemiology of colorectal cancer in Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. In all collaborations, I aim to support the career development of early career investigators with interests in global cancer control.

Research Funding

  • August 15, 2020 - May 31, 2025 - Building a Cancer Research Training Program in Tanzania , Principal Investigator . Sponsor: NIH, Sponsor Award ID: D43TW011598

Education

Duke University    B.S.    05/00    Biology
Yale University    M.P.H.    05/02    Health Policy
Medical College of Georgia    M.D.    05/06    Medicine
Beth Israel Deaconess, Harvard Medical School    Intern    06/07    Internal Medicine
Beth Israel Deaconess, Harvard Medical School    Resident    06/09    Internal Medicine
University of California, San Francisco    Fellow    06/12    Oncology

Honors & Awards

  • 2024
    Named incoming editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Oncology Global Oncology publication for a five-year term beginning February 2025.
  • 2023
    #SheforShe Award Nomination
  • 2022
    Faculty Learning and Development Award, Women In Medicine Summit
  • 2021
    U.S. Cohort Member, UCSF Chancellor's Fund
  • 2018
    Hematology/Oncology Marc A. Shuman Mentoring Award, UCSF
  • 2017-2018
    Short-Term Mentor Award, Pathways to Discovery, UCSF School of Medicine
  • 2016
    The Ernest H. Rosenbaum, MD Commitment to Patient Care Award, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • 2013
    NANETS Clinical Investigator Scholarship
  • 2013
    AHRQ K12 PARTNERS Program Scholar
  • 2012
    Young Investigator Award, ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation
  • 2008
    Yale/Johnson & Johnson Physician Scholar in International Health, South Africa
  • 2008
    Nomination by Harvard Medical School Class of 2008 for Excellence in Teaching
  • 2002
    Dean’s Prize for Outstanding MPH Thesis, Yale University
  • 2001
    Weinerman Fellowship for Social Justice, Yale University
  • 2000
    Graduation with Distinction in Biology, Duke University
  • 2000
    Howard Hughes Undergraduate Fellowship in Neuroscience, Duke University

Selected Publications

  1. Kwarteng LA, Lee AY, Sakafu L, Mango VL, Fundikira LS, Lyimo F, Kwikima U, Mushi BP, Van Loon K, Minja FJ Global radiology: Building equitable and effective partnerships with low and middle-income countries.  View on PubMed
  2. DeBoer RJ, Wabl CA, Mushi BP, Uwamahoro P, Athanas R, Ndoli DA, Rugengamanzi E, Ngoma M, Tuyishime H, Mtei D, Nsabimana N, Van Loon K, Sanders JJ, Sudore RL, Cubaka VK A scoping review of clinical communication in cancer care in Africa.  View on PubMed
  3. Xu MJ, Okerosi S, Nkya A, Van Loon K Strategically striving to be more inclusive: A recommendation for gender-neutral human-papillomavirus vaccine policies.  View on PubMed
  4. Ng DL, Edelweiss M, Kimambo AH, Vuhahula E, Mushi BP, Adegoke O, Goldberg J, Ibrahim PM, Illonga Z, Jackman J, Jamisse L, Van Loon K, Mmbaga EJ Efforts to strengthen anatomic pathology diagnostic services for cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol.  View on PubMed
  5. Ng DL, Van Loon K, Weidler J, Bates M, Mmbaga EJ, Vuhahula E FNAB samples with the STRAT4 assay for breast cancer diagnosis - Authors' reply.  View on PubMed
  6. Xu MJ, Haddadi S, Mushi BP, Zhang L, Sama G, Nyagabona SK, Ng D, Muya S, Malango AE, Richard E, Ha P, Yom SS, Massawe W, Mmbaga EJ, Van Loon K, Nkya A. Treatment initiation and completion among head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients in Tanzania. BMC Res Notes. 2024 Dec 23; 17(1):380.  View on PubMed
  7. Lozano-Esparza S, Sánchez-Blas HR, Huitzil-Meléndez FD, Meneses-Medina MI, Van Loon K, Potter MB, Mohar A, Lajous M. Colorectal cancer survival in Mexico: Leveraging a national health insurance database. Cancer Epidemiol. 2025 Feb; 94:102698.  View on PubMed
  8. Ng DL, Vuhahula E, Kimambo AH, Ndayisaba MC, Philipo GS, Mushi BP, Ho KE, Paciorek A, Illonga Z, Zhang L, Vohra P, Weidler J, Bates M, Mmbaga EJ, Van Loon K. Xpert Breast Cancer STRAT4 Assay using fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples in a resource-constrained setting: a prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Lancet Oncol. 2024 Nov; 25(11):1440-1452.  View on PubMed
  9. Buckle GC, DeBoer R, Xu MJ, Mrema A, Rubagumya F, Velloza J, Falade AS, Van Loon K. Using context-specific evidence to inform resource-stratified cancer guidelines: A call for a new approach. Cancer. 2025 Jan 01; 131(1):e35573.  View on PubMed
  10. Silverstein J, Wright F, Stanfield D, Chien AJ, Wong JM, Park JW, Blanco A, Van Loon K, Atreya CE. Synchronous or metachronous breast and colorectal cancers in younger-than-average-age patients: a case series. Oncologist. 2024 Sep 06; 29(9):e1159-e1168.  View on PubMed
  11. Edwards AL, Trang K, Tolstykh IV, Van Blarigan EL, Van Loon K, Laffan A, Stanfield D, Steiding P, Neuhaus J, Atreya CE, Piawah S, Venook AP, Varma MG. Association between gastrointestinal symptoms and specialty care utilization among colon cancer survivors: a cohort study. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2024 Aug 14; 39(1):130.  View on PubMed
  12. Zeme EL, Van Loon K, Kelley RK, Gordan JD. Emerging Therapies for the Management of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-/ERBB2-Altered Advanced Biliary Tract Cancers. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Sep 20; 42(27):3170-3176.  View on PubMed
  13. Falade AS, Adeoye O, Van Loon K, Buckle GC. Clinical Trials in Gastroesophageal Cancers: An Analysis of the Global Landscape of Interventional Trials From ClinicalTrials.gov. JCO Glob Oncol. 2024 Aug; 10:e2400169.  View on PubMed
  14. Parikh AR, Chee BH, Tsai J, Rich TA, Price KS, Patel SA, Zhang L, Ibrahim F, Esquivel M, Van Seventer EE, Jarnagin JX, Raymond VM, Corvera CU, Hirose K, Nakakura EK, Corcoran RB, Van Loon K, Atreya CE. Minimal Residual Disease using a Plasma-Only Circulating Tumor DNA Assay to Predict Recurrence of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Following Curative Intent Treatment. Clin Cancer Res. 2024 Jul 15; 30(14):2964-2973.  View on PubMed
  15. Van Loon K, Breithaupt L, Ng D, DeBoer RJ, Buckle GC, Bialous S, Hiatt RA, Volberding P, Hermiston ML, Ashworth A. A roadmap to establishing global oncology as a priority initiative within a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2024 Mar 07; 116(3):345-351.  View on PubMed
  16. Keenan BP, Sibley A, Zhang L, Westring AF, Velazquez AI, Bank EM, Bergsland EK, Boreta L, Conroy P, Daras M, Hermiston M, Hsu G, Paris PL, Piawah S, Sinha S, Sosa JA, Tsang M, Venook AP, Wong M, Yom SS, Van Loon K. Evaluation of Culture Conducive to Academic Success by Gender at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Oncologist. 2024 Mar 04; 29(3):e351-e359.  View on PubMed
  17. DeBoer RJ, Ho A, Mutoniwase E, Nguyen C, Umutesi G, Bigirimana JB, Nsabimana N, Van Loon K, Shulman LN, Triedman SA, Cubaka VK, Shyirambere C. Ethical dilemmas in prioritizing patients for scarce radiotherapy resources. BMC Med Ethics. 2024 01 31; 25(1):12.  View on PubMed
  18. Ballesteros O, Mark S, Block A, Mackin L, Paul S, Cooper B, Abbott M, Chang S, Hammer MJ, Levine J, Pozzar R, Snowberg K, Tsai K, Van Blarigan E, Van Loon K, Miaskowski CA. COVID-19 pandemic stress and cancer symptom burden. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2024 Jan 08; 13(e3):e1351-e1362.  View on PubMed
  19. Van Loon K Expert Commentary on Colon Cancer and the Pregnant Patient.  View on PubMed
  20. Selekwa M, Maina I, Yeh T, Nkya A, Ncogoza I, Nuss RC, Mushi BP, Haddadi S, Van Loon K, Mbaga E, Massawe W, Roberson DW, Dharsee N, Musimu B, Xu MJ Tracheostomy care quality improvement in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review.  View on PubMed

Go to UCSF Profiles, powered by CTSI