CPRIT’s Chief Prevention Officer, Dr. Rebecca Garcia, heads up CPRIT’s prevention efforts, where 10 percent of CPRIT’s total funding is dedicated to evidence-based prevention services such as screening that lead to early detection of cancer and a decrease in cancer related deaths.  Her responsibilities include spearheading the prevention application submission process, coordinating the review of prevention proposals, monitoring grant progress, and fostering collaboration among the cancer and disease prevention community to maximize CPRIT’s impact.

Dr. Garcia has worked in healthcare and medical education for over 20 years. Prior to joining CPRIT in August of 2009, she served as Vice President, Continuing Professional Development, for Physicians’ Education Resource (PER), a medical education and communications company dedicated to advancing health care through professional oncology education.  Previously, Dr. Garcia was Vice President of Health Sciences for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation where she was responsible for the development and implementation of scientific and outreach strategies. In addition, Dr. Garcia managed the Komen Foundation’s grant-making and education and outreach activities conducted through the research grants, education and helpline departments.

Dr. Garcia completed the majority of her undergraduate coursework at the University of Texas at Austin and holds a bachelor’s degree in medical technology and a master’s degree in instructional design from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas. She received a doctorate in adult education from the University of North Texas.

Dr. Garcia joined CPRIT in August of 2009.