A Chat With Connect’s Senior Scientist

At the milestone of 50,000 participants, Connect Senior Scientist, Mia Gaudet, Ph.D., reflects on the path that brought her to Connect and provides insight into her daily responsibilities overseeing the operations of the study at the National Cancer Institute's Connect Coordinating Center. 

Meet the Senior Scientist

Mia Gaudet serves as the Senior Scientist for the Connect for Cancer Prevention Study at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). She translates the research needs of the scientific community to the daily decisions of the study operations as the head of the Connect Coordinating Center. Mia's career trajectory and personal experiences have shaped her current role, in which she contributes to critical cancer prevention research.

A Career in Cancer Research

Mia’s journey into cancer research began during her undergraduate studies. She was fascinated by the role of diet in chronic diseases and decided to learn epidemiologic methods in graduate school to study it. Inspired by Richard Preston's The Hot Zone, which illustrates the use of epidemiologic tools to trace the origins of Ebola, Mia sought to explore similar methods in her doctoral work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While there, she focused her research on diet and breast cancer, fields with promising research opportunities. 

Balancing Personal Life and a Research Career

Mia’s career path reflects a strong balance between professional pursuits and her personal life. After completing her education, she moved to New York City, taking up academic positions at Memorial Sloan Kettering and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her decision to move to Atlanta was both personal and professional — it allowed her to reconnect with her now-husband while continuing her breast cancer research with the American Cancer Society (ACS). In Atlanta, she expanded her role beyond research to work on cancer screening guidelines, survivor support services, and fundraising efforts, gaining broad experience in cancer advocacy and community engagement.

Joining the Connect Team 

As an epidemiologist, Mia saw the opportunity to build a new study from the ground up as a dream come true. Her previous work at the ACS, where she developed a breast tumor tissue repository and contributed to study recruitment of an earlier cohort study, prepared her well for her current role. Leading the Connect Coordinating Center at the NCI, Mia is at the forefront of cancer prevention research, guiding its next steps and shaping a new cohort that could make a significant impact on public health for decades to come.

A Snapshot of the Senior Scientist's Day 

Mia’s role as Senior Scientist is as varied as it is rewarding. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities for learning, and this variety keeps her engaged and excited about her work. She meets daily with different members of the team to discuss everything from creating new surveys for Connect to solving technical issues like missed text message notifications to participants.  

She also serves as a mentor to fellows who are working with Connect before pursuing graduate study. In 2023, Mia was recognized for her mentorship with the Women Scientist Advisors Mentoring and Leadership Award, which recognizes men and women scientists in the NCI community who have shown strong support, scientific leadership, and/or direct mentoring to women scientists at the National Cancer Institute leading to professional scientific and career achievement.  

Excitement About Connect's Progress 

Experiencing the study’s growth is one of the things Mia is most excited about, sharing “I am amazed every day by the number of people joining Connect!” Reaching 50,000 participants was initially a daunting goal, but now that the team has crossed that milestone, Mia looks forward next to reaching the halfway point in recruitment. She is eager to share research findings with participants and their communities, helping to spread valuable insights from the study.

The Importance of Breast Cancer Screening 

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mia urges the Connect community to prioritize screening for breast and other cancers, despite its potential discomfort. Mia’s advice is to “Know your family history and know your breast density.” She is a strong advocate for following the US Preventative Task Force guidelines to start regular breast cancer screening at age 40, the age at which Mia started her own mammograms and colonoscopies.  

Along with screening, she emphasizes the importance of knowing your family history, especially because people who have certain heritable genetic mutations (gene changes that are passed down from family members) may be an increased risk for breast and other cancers. Mia also encourages people to know their breast density and suggests that those with dense breasts discuss alternative screening options with their doctors to ensure they are using the best methods for their personal needs. 

Looking Forward to Winter 

On a personal note, Mia is looking forward to the cooler months, when she enjoys roasting marshmallows with her family over their backyard firepit. She and her husband, along with their kids, embrace the spirit of Halloween, often dressing up together to celebrate her favorite holiday. 

Mia’s leadership in the Connect for Cancer Prevention Study is driven by a deep commitment to both science and public health. Her career reflects a balance of personal passion, academic excellence, and a strong desire to make a difference in cancer prevention science for generations to come. 

Thanks for reading!  

Deanna DePietro, MPH
Connect Participant Experience and Communications Coordinator
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics
National Cancer Institute