Mollie E. Barnard, ScD

Assistant Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Mollie Barnard is a molecular and genetic epidemiologist whose research focuses on the etiology of breast and ovarian cancers and the elimination of racial disparities in cancer outcomes. She leverages large, diverse epidemiologic cohorts linked with molecular data to identify modifiable risk factors and biologic pathways that can be translated into prevention and survivorship strategies.

Dr. Barnard is Principal Investigator of an American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grant investigating how cardiometabolic health influences breast cancer risk, tumor biology, and immune profiles among Black women. By combining prospective cohort data with tumor gene expression and immune infiltration analyses, this work seeks to uncover mechanisms driving aggressive disease and to identify opportunities for targeted screening, prevention, and treatment.

Her prior research has examined the role of inflammation in ovarian carcinogenesis. Findings from her work on anti-inflammatory drug use and ovarian cancer risk indicated that the inverse association between aspirin use and ovarian cancer risk may be specific to low-dose aspirin. In related work, she demonstrated that women with deep infiltrating endometriosis and/or ovarian endometriomas have a substantially greater risk of ovarian cancer compared to those with less severe endometriosis subtypes.

Dr. Barnard is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists. She has mentored masters students, PhD students, and medical students in cancer epidemiology, study design, and data analysis. She has a longstanding commitment to supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds, serving as a faculty mentor for the Society for Epidemiologic Research’s LGBTQIA+ mentoring group, mentoring students through the Dana-Farber Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program and the Rural & Underserved Utah Training Experience (RUUTE) Program, and volunteering as a mentor and program leader for Minds Matter Boston.

Publications

  • Published 7/10/2026

    Watling CZ, Watts EL, Loftfield E, Graubard BI, Hong HG, Zhang X, Barnett MJ, Buring JE, Barnard ME, Chen Y, Eliassen AH, Gaziano JM, Hofmann JN, Huang WY, Kang JH, Koshiol J, Lee IM, Moore SC, Mucci LA, Neuhouser ML, Newton CC, Purdue MP, Sesso HD, Shrubsole M, Sinha R, Tinker L, Triplette M, Um CY, Visvanathan K, Wactawski-Wende J, Willett WC, Wu F, Zheng W, Campbell PT, Barupal D, Petrick JL, Mcglynn KA. Circulating pre-diagnostic metabolites and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a population-based study of 12 cohorts. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2026 Jul 10. PMID: 42429571.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/27/2026

    Mongiovi JM, Babic A, Sasamoto N, Townsend MK, Vitonis AF, Barnard M, Hecht J, Soong TR, Conejo-Garcia JR, Peres LC, Schildkraut JM, Harris HR, Doherty JA, Modugno F, Fridley BL, Tworoger SS, Terry KL. Ovarian cancer tumor immune profiles associated with intrauterine device and oral contraceptive use. Br J Cancer. 2026 Jun 27. PMID: 42365137.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/6/2026

    Barnard ME, Xu NN, Holder EX, Jones D, Nayor M, Ko NY, Palmer JR. Hypertension, use of antihypertensive medications and breast cancer survival among Black women. Breast Cancer Res. 2026 Jun 06. PMID: 42251447.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/30/2026

    Ping J, Jia G, Cai Q, Guo X, Wang J, Tao R, Li B, Bauer JA, Xie Y, Ambs S, Barnard ME, Chen Y, Choi JY, Gao YT, Garcia-Closas M, Gu J, Hu JJ, Iwasaki M, John EM, Kweon SS, Li CI, Matsuda K, Matsuo K, Nathanson KL, Nemesure B, Olopade OI, Pal T, Park SK, Park B, Press MF, Sanderson M, Sandler DP, Yao S, Zheng Y, Ahearn T, Brewster AM, Falusi A, Hennis AJM, Ito H, Kubo M, Lee ES, Makumbi T, Mapoko BSE, Noh DY, O'Brien KM, Ojengbede O, Olshan AF, Park MH, Reid S, Yamaji T, Zirpoli G, Butler EN, Huang M, Low SK, Obafunwa J, Weinberg CR, Zhang H, Zhao H, Ambrosone CB, Cote ML, Huo D, Haiman CA, Kang D, Palmer JR, Troester MA, Shu XO, Long J, Zheng W. Multi-ancestry transcriptome-wide association studies uncover insights into breast cancer genetics and biology. Nat Commun. 2026 May 30. PMID: 42218145.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/29/2026

    McCarty RD, Trabert B, Millar MM, Kriebel D, Grieshober L, Barnard ME, Collin LJ, Gilreath JA, Shami PJ, Doherty JA. Associations Between Tattooing and Health Status: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study of Adults in Utah, 2020-2022. Public Health Rep. 2026 May 29; 333549261445868. PMID: 42216484.

    Read at: PubMed

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Other Positions

  • Center Faculty Member, Slone Epidemiology Center
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Websites

Education

  • Harvard School of Public Health, ScD
  • Harvard School of Public Health, SM/ScM
  • Swarthmore College, BA

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