Vanessa Serrato (she/her) is a Research Project Coordinator with the Knight Cancer Institute and Community Outreach, Research, and Engagement (CORE) team. She supports the Healthy Oregon Project (HOP) research study's community outreach and engagement efforts as well as communication and recruitment strategies. Vanessa works closely with additional research teams throughout CORE including HPV as cancer prevention, clinical trials, and the newly launched Mobile Outreach Van. 

Prior to her current role, Vanessa worked in communications for a variety of businesses and nonprofits which brings a skillset in strategic communications through social media, marketing, and media relations that assist in the promotion of ongoing projects.  She has successfully helped to launch a variety of businesses, designed educational materials, and gained media recognition. She is particularly interested in bringing awareness and knowledge of cancer early detection research opportunities to historically underserved communities across the state. 

Vanessa's passion for increasing the knowledge of healthcare research opportunities in diverse communities and her background in communications bring a fresh take on recruitment and outreach methods.  She received her undergraduate degree (B.A. in Journalism and Communications: Public Relations) from the University of Oregon.