Associate Director of Community Outreach & Engagement | Assistant Research Professor | Dorothy and Mickey Ables Distinguished New Century Chair
Leading with Purpose in Cancer Prevention and Community Research
Dr. Arica Brandford serves as the Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement and an Assistant Research Professor of Community Engagement Science in Medicine at the Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center. She is also the inaugural Dorothy and Mickey Ables Community Outreach and Engagement Distinguished New Century Chair. At the core of her work is a commitment to reducing the cancer burden through community-engaged science, cancer prevention, and education research. She ensures that the voices of patients, families, and communities inform strategies designed to improve health outcomes and strengthen systems of care.
Expanding the Reach of Patient Engagement
Dr. Brandford became involved with the Patient Engagement (PE) Lab because of its focus on collaboration across health disciplines. She recognized the Lab as a place where her expertise in community-based participatory methods and cancer prevention could connect with other areas of health research. This collaboration demonstrates her belief that the most impactful progress comes from combining insights across fields to tackle shared challenges in health.
Community-Centered Research in Action
While her primary research focuses on cancer prevention and control, Dr. Brandford aligns with the PE Lab’s mission to design patient-centered and community-informed interventions. She emphasizes that lasting improvements in health outcomes require listening to communities and building research models that reflect their lived experiences. Her work brings an essential perspective to the Lab’s efforts, reinforcing the importance of grounding research in community priorities.
A Role that Bridges and Connects
Dr. Brandford’s contributions to the PE Lab highlight strategies from her extensive work in community-engaged research. As the Lab transitions into a larger Center, she envisions her role expanding as a connector who helps unite diverse disciplines and approaches. Her leadership ensures the Center remains committed to building innovative, community-driven models that address real-world health needs.
Finding Value in Intellectual Exchange
For Dr. Brandford, one of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the PE Lab is the rich exchange of ideas. Collaborating with colleagues from fields beyond her own has broadened her perspective and deepened her understanding of how different approaches can be applied to reduce disease burden. She notes that even when health focus areas differ, common goals create powerful opportunities for progress.
Beyond the Lab: A Multidimensional Advocate
Dr. Brandford brings a distinctive perspective to her work. In addition to being a nurse and researcher, she also holds a law degree, which reflects her belief that addressing cancer burden requires attention not only to clinical and scientific approaches but also to systems and policies that influence health. Her love of travel and exploration of diverse communities further shapes her dedication to understanding the social context of health.
A Vision for Transformative Collaboration
Looking ahead, Dr. Brandford sees the PE Lab as a model for how community-engaged science and interdisciplinary collaboration can drive meaningful change. She envisions the Lab serving as a national example of how cancer prevention, transplant research, and public health initiatives can work together to strengthen systems and reduce the cancer burden across populations.
Her Advice to Future Collaborators
“Don’t worry if your expertise is in a different field. The strength of the PE Lab lies in its diversity. If you are open to learning and willing to share your perspective, you will find it to be a space where you can make a meaningful contribution while also growing in new directions.”
With her dedication to reducing the cancer burden through community-engaged science and participatory methods, Dr. Arica Brandford continues to shape the future of patient-centered research—bringing fresh strategies, cross-disciplinary insights, and a strong voice for community-driven impact.