Beyond Cancer Spotlight: Hannah Lui Park

Hannah Lui Park, MS, PhD (she/her) is an Associate Professor in Residence, Pathology and Epidemiology and Director, Athena Breast Health Network. 
Read on to learn more about her story. 

1. What are your career/research interests? 

My research focuses on understanding breast cancer risk and prevention, especially the intersection between genetics, epigenetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. A lot of my work centers around precision health, chronic disease prevention, and the development of biomarkers for disease risk and prediction. 

2. How did your early life experiences shape your education and career choices? 

My early life experiences taught me that people's health can severely affect their quality of life and the lives of their loved ones. As a child of immigrants, I also saw how language and culture impacted people's health care and lifestyle. I knew I wanted to help all people live longer, healthier, happier lives. I joined a breast cancer lab as an undergrad at UC Berkeley and fell in love with research - can you believe they actually entrusted a 19-year-old to do (supervised) mouse surgeries?! A career in academia not only fuels my drive for discovery but also enables me to pass along my love for research and provide opportunities to the next generation of curious minds.

3. What brought you to UCI?

My move to Orange County was initially motivated by the desire to be closer to my family. However, the opportunity to join UCI, home to the region's only NCI-designated cancer center, presented an exciting and unique prospect. At UCI, I found a vibrant, diverse community and state-of-the-art resources that aligned perfectly with my passion for advancing cancer research. This combination has made my decision to join UCI an incredibly rewarding one.

4. How did you connect with others to build your own sense of community and belonging at work? 

Fortunately, the research realm is largely collaborative. I've found great value in actively reaching out to colleagues whose work piques my interest. This has not only opened doors to fruitful collaborations but also enriched my professional network and personal growth. Also, recognizing the shared challenges we face in securing grant funding, I initiated a writing group with a few fellow female faculty. This group has become a source of mutual support and camaraderie. I've also found that connecting with colleagues on a personal level significantly enhances our work environment. After all, we are inherently social beings.

5. What motivates you to serve your community and contribute to the CFCCC mission? 

The core values of DISCOVER, TEACH, and HEAL inherent to the CFCCC mission resonate with my commitment to advancing cancer research and helping to educate the next generation of cancer researchers and health care providers. Engaging with my local community, with its racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity, is especially rewarding. Many community members belong to groups historically underrepresented in biomedical research. I'm especially motivated by the opportunity to make a positive impact on the health and well being of these underrepresented communities.

6. What challenges have you experienced in your professional journey? 

As a woman of color in academia, navigating the complexities of a field that is still coming to terms with diversity and inclusion has been both a personal and professional test. Moreover, advocating for myself and believing in my abilities and the value of my contributions in academia often require deliberate effort in the face of doubts that occasionally surface. However, I think these challenges have made me stronger and underscore the importance of tenacity, self-belief, and my commitment to not only chart my path but also to help pave the way for those who will follow.

7. What personal or professional accomplishment are you most proud of? 

I'm most proud of my two children and all the students I've mentored through the years.

8. What are your interests/hobbies outside of work? 

I enjoy spending time with family and friends, yoga, music, dancing, hiking, watching basketball, art, traveling, and learning about different cultures.

9. What is a fun or random fact about you? 

A fun fact about me that usually surprises people is my achievement in what many consider a quirky track and field event - the Triple Jump. Back in my high school days in San Francisco, I not only participated in this unique event but also earned the title of 4th All-City :D!

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