Melissa Vilaro, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Family, Youth & Community Sciences
This presentation highlights how UF/IFAS Extension bridges research and practice to advance cancer prevention through community and digital programs. In collaboration with trained county Extension faculty, we develop and deliver initiatives such as Sun Safe Workspaces, which reduces UV exposure risk; A Taste of Cultures, which promotes healthy eating through culturally relevant nutrition; and web-based tools like Taking Control of Your Cancer Diagnosis and Eat Right, Screen Right.
Dr. Melissa Vilaro is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences and Health and Wellness State Specialist with UF/IFAS Extension. Dr. Vilaro’s Integrated research and Extension program addresses cancer prevention and risk reduction behavioral interventions using community-engaged approaches.
Core Standards
SC.912.L.14.6
Explain the significance of genetic factors, environmental factors, and pathogenic agents to health from the perspectives of both individual and public health.
SC.912.L.16.8
Explain the relationship between mutation, cell cycle, and uncontrolled cell growth potentially resulting in cancer.
SC.912.L.16.10
Evaluate the impact of biotechnology on the individual, society and the environment, including medical and ethical issues.
HE.912.PHC.1.1
Evaluate personal health practices and overall health status to include all dimensions of health.
SC.912.N.1.3
Recognize that the strength or usefulness of a scientific claim is evaluated through scientific argumentation, which depends on critical and logical thinking, and the active consideration of alternative scientific explanations to explain the data presented.
SC.912.N.1.7
Recognize the role of creativity in constructing scientific questions, methods and explanations.
