Cervicovaginal microbiome and HPV in Native American women
Official title: Full Project 1: Using Community-Engaged Research to Assess the Association of the Cervicovaginal Microenvironment and HPV Persistence and Clearance in Native American Women
Funded at Northern Arizona University · NIH-11195077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will work with Native American communities to learn how the bacteria and cervicovaginal environment relate to whether HPV infections clear or stick around.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern Arizona University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Flagstaff, United States) |
| Project start | September 29, 2009 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $157,183 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA143925-17 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195077 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are American Indian or Alaska Native women in participating Arizona communities who are willing to provide cervical/vaginal samples and health information and attend follow-up visits.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not AIAN women, cannot provide cervical/vaginal samples, or cannot attend follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
You would be invited to join a community-based project run with Native American partners that collects cervical and vaginal samples and health information. The team will use 16S genetic sequencing to profile the bacteria living in the cervix and vagina and compare those profiles with HPV test results. Participants may be followed over time so researchers can see which HPV infections go away and which persist. The project uses local clinics and community engagement to make sure participation is culturally respectful and acceptable.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify why HPV persists in some Native American women and guide better screening, prevention, or tailored care approaches.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked vaginal bacterial patterns to HPV persistence, but this approach is novel for Native American women and for community-engaged work in these populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Naomi — Northern Arizona University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Naomi
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.