Dr. Katherine Y. Tossas, Ph.D., M.S., is a cancer epidemiologist and serves as an assistant professor within the Departments of Epidemiology and Social and Behavioral Science at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Population Health. She is also a full member of the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center (Cancer Prevention and Control Program), where she is the founding director for the Office of Catchment Area Data Analytics, and co-Associate Director of Global Oncology. Dr. Tossas’ research is grounded in the principles of health justice and centers on elucidating the role of the microbiome in the progression of precancerous lesions, particularly in cervical and lung cancers. (Funders: ACS-IRG, V Foundation, NCI-K0) and lung (NCI P20, co-I). She is also a Principal Investigator for multiple funded (Pfizer, ACS, Jeffress, RWJF) community-engaged research projects addressing systemic or structural inequities in cancer outcomes across Virginia. Dr. Tossas provides mentorship opportunities to students through her COQUI Lab.