Daniela Ramirez Aguilar, MPH

Research Program: Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Faculty Rank: Epidemiology Specialist Campus: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College: College of Public Health Department: Environmental Health Sciences

Cancer Research Interest

• Disease Site Focus: Gynecology, Breast, GI, Head and Neck, Thoracic/ Lung, Pediatric Oncology, Prostate, No Specific Disease Site
• Research Focus Area: Prevention, Informatics, Health Disparities, Diagnosis/ Prognosis
• Type of Research: Population Sciences
• Research Keywords: Epidemiology, Population health science, Cancer, Prevention
• Research Interest Statement: Thus far, my current research primarily focuses on cancer epidemiology, health disparities, and population-level risk factors, with a strong emphasis on vulnerable populations and regional public health outcomes. My work, along with my collaboration with other researchers, investigates cancer incidence, mortality, and post-transplant complications—specifically examining population-level trends and cancer risk among solid organ transplant recipients. Additionally, for Arkansas, my research highlights geographic, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in cancer burden, particularly regarding colorectal cancer in rural areas and areas of persistent poverty, as well as the interplay between lifestyle/dietary factors (such as obesity and dietary folate) and aggressiveness in prostate and other cancers. I have a current interest in incorporating community-based approaches and further data science applications in cancer research.

Contact Information

• Email Address: DRamirezaguilar2@uams.edu

Recent Publications

• Engels EA, Castenson D, Luo Q, [et al., including Ramirez Aguilar D]. Population-level cancer trends among solid organ transplant recipients in the United States during 1995-2021. American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. 2026 26(7):1724-1736. PMID: 41786253. PMCID: PMC13037663.
• Tao J, Pfeiffer RM, Ahmed S, [et al., including Ramirez-Aguilar D]. Cancer Risk in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients With a Pretransplant Cancer History. JAMA oncology. 2026 12(5):470-477. PMID: 41817522. PMCID: PMC13195476.
• Su LJ, O'Connor S, Ramirez Aguilar D, [et al.]. Association Between Dietary Folate and Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness Among African Americans and European Americans. Nutrients. 2026 18(5). PMID: 41829916. PMCID: PMC12986587.
• Aguilar DR, Park YM, Schootman M, [et al.]. Quantifying Cancer Burden Attributable to Obesity: Highlighting the Disparities by Sex, Race, and Ethnicity in a Rural State with High Obesity and Cancer Burden. Journal of registry management. 2025 52(2):35-41. PMID: 41281960. PMCID: PMC12636242.
• Li C, Peng C, DelNero P, [et al., including Ramirez Aguilar D]. Investigating the coverage of the Arkansas All-Payer Claims Database for examining health disparities related to persistent poverty areas in colorectal cancer patients. Cancer causes & control : CCC. 2025 36(1):27-44. PMID: 39306812. PMCID: PMC13064871.
• Aguilar DR, Berryhill J, Greer M, [et al.]. Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates in Arkansas and Associated Risk Factors. Journal of registry management. 2024 51(4):158-166. PMID: 40109764. PMCID: PMC11917984.
• Jayroe M, Aguilar DR, Porter A, [et al.]. Transmission Analysis of COVID-19 Outbreaks Associated with Places of Worship, Arkansas, May 2020-December 2020. Journal of religion and health. 2023 62(1):650-661. PMID: 36050584. PMCID: PMC9436717.