MPH Student Awarded Grant for Cervical Cancer Research in Guatemala

Pamela Rojas-Cartolin, a first-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student specializing in global health, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Center for Latin American Studies Field Research Grant from the University of Utah’s Center for Latin American Studies.

The award will cover Pamela's travel expenses to assist Public Health Associate Professor Sharon Talboys, PhD, in her research project, Reducing Cervical Cancer Disparities Among Indigenous Women in Guatemala: An Assessment of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) self-collection interventions.

Upon receiving the grant, Pamela said, "I'm beyond grateful for this opportunity. As a first-generation Latina student, moments like these remind me why I continue pushing forward despite the challenges.”

Pamela’s interest in this research stems from her commitment to health equity and accessibility, particularly in women’s health, and is deeply rooted in her own experiences. “I've seen firsthand the barriers that prevent people from receiving the care they need,” she said. “Addressing these disparities is essential to creating a more equitable and effective healthcare system.”

Dr. Talboys’ research focuses on developing and pilot testing health education and communication materials about cervical cancer prevention for rural and Mayan women in Guatemala. Her team works directly with community health workers and local public health educators in San Lucas Tolimán, a town home to a vast Indigenous population.

Additionally, the team conducts focus group discussions with adult women and community health workers to ensure the health communication intervention is culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate. The intervention aims to increase awareness about cervical cancer prevention, reduce stigma, promote traditional screening methods, and introduce new HPV self-testing.

“Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women in Guatemala. The recent innovation of self-testing for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer, offers promise to make significant strides in cervical cancer prevention,” emphasized Dr. Talboys.

The research project is part of an extensive implementation science study and will play a key role in intervention design, and exposure to community-based and ethical global health research.

This summer, the research team will embark on a mission to Guatemala, dedicated to conducting impactful research aimed at improving women's health and advancing health equity in the region.

Director of Graduate Studies for Public Health, Lisa Gren, PhD, praised Pamela’s achievement: “The Division of Public Health strives to provide opportunities for students to have learning experiences beyond the classroom. We are so pleased that Pamela has connected with Dr. Talboys on this research project. Congratulations to the entire team.”

Pamela hopes her education and research journey will inspire others from underrepresented backgrounds. “There are many challenges we face, but our voices and contributions matter. I'm excited to continue learning, growing, and advocating for the changes I want to see in healthcare,” she said.