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Biography

Dr Cara Martin is an Assistant Professor in Molecular Pathology and Tumour Biology at the Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin. She obtained her PhD from Trinity College in 2004, her MSc in Biotechnology from National University of Ireland, Galway in 1998, and BSc (Hons) from National University of Ireland, Galway in 1996. She currently leads the HPV Research Group based in Trinity College and the Coombe Women and Infant's University Hospital. Her research programme consists of translational health services based research and basic research approaches in female gynecological cancers, head and neck cancers and other HPV associated cancers. She is co-founder, lead investigator and programme manager of CERVIVA, The Irish Cervical Screening Research Consortium (www.cerviva.ie), which is a health services based research program Cara leads the molecular epidemiology work packages within the various CERVIVA projects and is leading the HPV primary screening pilot study and the ECHO Study [Epidemiology of HPV in Oral Cancers in Ireland]. She was PI/co-ordinator on a number of European FP7 funded projects in the area of cervical cancer screening and diagnostics, including SYSTEMCERV, AUTOCAST and MicroActive. To date, she has published 81 peer reviewed publication and has filed 2 patents. Her-h index is 27 and she has >3500 citations.

Research Tags

Apoptosis Apoptosis, molecular control Autism Bioinformatics Biology Cancer genetics and cell biology including metastasis Cell cycle control Cervical cancer Chromosome structure and dynamics Commercialisation of scientific research Community health and general practice Cytology and Cancerology DNA polymorphisms, evaluate chimerism after bone marrow transplant DNA transcription and translation DNA typing Drug development and evaluation Environmental Carcinogenesis Epidemiology Gene therapy Gene transcription in human cancer Genetic/Molecular epidemiology Genomic structure and function, molecular approaches to gene function Gynaecology oncology Health attitudes and behaviour Health management Host, Pathogen interactions Human genetics Imaging Techniques Infertility Intra and intercellular signalling Medical Sciences, Research Medical technology Membrane and protein trafficking Molecular population genetics Nuclei acid chemistry, structure and folding Oncogenes, apoptosis and tumour development Pathology Population based intervention trials Regulatory methods of gene expression RNA processing, stability and degradation Stem Cell biology and hematopoiesis Therapeutic and Clinical oncology Tumour immunology and immunotherapy Virology and viral pathogenesis

Research Projects

Project Title

CERVIVA-Vax: Monitoring the impact of HPV vaccination in Ireland

From

01/02/2018

31/01/2022

Summary

Funding Agency

Health Research Board, Ireland

Programme

Investigtor Led Programme

Project Title

Enhancing the Evidence Base for Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Ireland: Building Improvements from the Intervention-Specific to System-Wide Levels

From

01/07/2018

30/06/2022

Summary

Funding Agency

Health Research Board, Ireland

Programme

Emerging Investigator Awards (EIA)

Project Title

CERVIVA: The HPV Educate Project

From

01/12/2017

30/11/2018

Summary

Funding Agency

Health Research Board, Ireland

Programme

KEDS (Knowledge exchange and dissemmination scheme)

Project Title

What influences cervical screening uptake in older women and how can screening programmes translate this knowledge into behaviour changing strategies? A CERVIVA-CervicalCheck co-production project

From

03/10/2017

02/09/2019

Summary

and mortality. To achieve these benefits, high coverage is essential. In Ireland, the coverage target is 80%. While overall coverage has risen (from 61% to 79%) since the programme started in 2008, it has consistently been lower in older (50-60 years) than younger (25-49 years) women. This distinctive pattern is not seen in other countries with organised programmes and the reasons for it are unknown. Women in their early 50s are at risk of developing cervical cancer and screening at that age substantially reduces cancer risk for the subsequent 30 years. Thus, it is important to attain high screening coverage in older women. This CERVIVA-CervicalCheck co-production project will generate evidence on the influences on cervical screening participation among older women in Ireland, to inform development and implementation of evidence-based strategies to increase screening coverage in this group. A mixed-methods design will be used, underpinned by a theoretical framework of behaviour change. Phase 1 will involve in-depth interviews exploring influences on, barriers to, and enablers of, cervical screening participation; older and younger women and women with adequate and inadequate screening histories will be compared. Phase 2 will involve a postal survey of older women, comparing those with adequate and inadequate screening histories, to identify the most important influences on screening participation and inter-relationships between these. Phase 3 will triangulate phase 1 and 2 results and undertake a behavioural analysis to begin to generate evidence-based solutions for how screening participation may be changed. The findings will be translated by the National Screening Service into strategies to improve participation in older women, thereby optimising effectiveness of cervical screening in Ireland and delivering health gains for individual women and the population. The knowledge gained may also be applicable to other screening programmes in Ireland.

Funding Agency

Health Research Board, Ireland

Programme

Applied Partnership Award

Project Type

Research

Project Title

CERVIVA studentship for ECHO study

From

01/04/2016

31/03/2019

Summary

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a collective term for a range of cancers arising in the mucosal lining at various sites in the head and neck, including the oral cavity, oropharynx and larynx. It is the sixth most common cancer in the world, with more than 630,000 new cases diagnosed each year and 350,000 deaths. In Ireland, more than 400 new cases of HNC present annually. HNC was traditionally considered to be a disease of the elderly and of men, with many cases believed to be due to cumulative exposure to tobacco and alcohol. However, in North America and Europe incidence rates have been increasing over the past few decades, especially in younger people and in women- populations less likely to have strong histories of tobacco or alcohol exposure. The rising incidence has tended to be limited to particular sites, most notably squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, tonsil and tongue. These trends have pointed to the emergence of a new risk factor- HPV. HPV DNA has been found to be present in a significant proportion of HNCs. In a major meta-analysis published in 2005, 36% of cancers of the oropharynx (including the tonsil) were HPV positive (Kreimer 2005) and, in a more recent meta-analysis, HPV16 accounted for 96% of HPV-positive squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx (Mehanna 2012). In a major meta-analysis published in 2014, 45.8% of cancers of the oropharynx (including the tonsil) were HPV positive (Ndiaye et al). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that there is strong epidemiological evidence for a casual role for HPV16 in the aetiology of cancers in the oropharynx and tonsil. Evidence around cancers of the oral cavity and larynx are more controversial. In the 2005 meta-analysis 24% of these cancers were HPV positive. However results of case-control studies have been inconsistent and the range in prevalence in individual studies is wide. Results of various studies based on inferred HPV status, and some clinical trials of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers, suggest that patients with HPV-positive cancers have a better prognosis than HPV-negative cancers. If confirmed at the population level, these observations raise the possibility that HPV-related cancers may be treated less aggressively (Arbyn 2011). There are significant uncertainties in the evidence-base around HPV in HNC. Studies have been conducted in a limited number of populations and many have been small and included selected samples. Prevalence of HPV positivity at specific sites and sub-sites is uncertain, especially over time. While HPV16 has been reasonably well investigated, the prevalence of other HPV types is less clearly established. Moreover, the impact of HPV status on survival at various sites in the head and neck requires further exploration. This study will generate the first data on HPV prevalence and genotype distribution, and associations between HPV status and outcome, in head and neck cancers in Ireland. Given the potential impact HPV vaccination may have on these cancers this is an essential piece of research.

Funding Agency

The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital

Programme

Studentship

Project Type

PhD studentship

Page 1 of 5

Representations

Details	Date
Member of the Scottish HPV Archive Steering Group	2018
Chair of CERVIVA Steering Group	2011
Member of HSE/ICS HPV Communications Planning Group established by the Irish Cancer Society	2017
I represent CERVIVA as an active member of the National HPV Vaccination Alliance www.hpvalliance.ie	2017
I represented Ireland at the HPV Prevention and Control Board meeting for the UK and Ireland	30/11/2017
Member of the expert review panel for the HIQA Health Technology Assessment of Primary HPV Screening	2016-2017
Journal reviewer for Elsevier Journal of Gynaecologic Oncology, BMC, Lung, PloS one and Journal of Oncology.	2008
Established and lead CERVIVA PPI Panel. This panel now includes members of the 221plus patient advocacy group.	2018
Advisor to DIT Cellular and Molecular Cytopathology Training School	2017
External teaching to DIT BSc in Biomolecular Science	2014
External teaching on BSCCP Colposcopy Training Course (Basic and advanced training)	2016
Scientific Advisor for Eurofins-Gynae-Screen Ltd	2015

Languages

Language	Skill Reading	Skill Writing	Skill Speaking
English	Fluent	Fluent	Fluent

Memberships

Membership of Professional Institutions, Associations, Societies

Details	Date From	Date To
Member of the International Papillomavirus Society	2017	Present
Member of HPV vaccination Alliance	2017	Present
Member of International HPV Awareness Group	2018	Present
Member of Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital Research Ethics Committee	2014	Present
Deputy chair of CWIUH Research Ethics Committee	2020	present

Publications and other Research Outputs

Oseghale O, Liong S, Coward-Smith M, To EE, Erlich JR, Luong R, Liong F, Miles M, Norouzi S, Martin C, O'Toole S, Brooks RD, Bozinovski S, Vlahos R, O'Leary JJ, Brooks DA, Selemidis S., Influenza A virus elicits peri-vascular adipose tissue inflammation and vascular dysfunction of the aorta in pregnant mice., PLoS pathogens, 18, (8), 2022, pe1010703 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Sharkey Ochoa I, O'Regan E, Toner M, Kay E, Faul P, O'Keane C, O'Connor R, Mullen D, Nur M, O'Murchu E, Barry-O'Crowley J, Kernan N, Tewari P, Keegan H, O'Toole S, Woods R, Kennedy S, Feeley K, Sharp L, Gheit T, Tommasino M, O'Leary JJ, Martin CM., The Role of HPV in Determining Treatment, Survival, and Prognosis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma., Cancers, 14, (17), 2022, p4321 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Martini C, Logan JM, Sorvina A, Gordon C, Beck AR, S-Y Ung B, Caruso MC, Moore C, Hocking A, Johnson IRD, Li KL, Karageorgos L, Hopkins AM, Esterman AJ, Huzzell C, Brooks RD, Lazniewska J, Hickey SM, Bader C, Parkinson-Lawrence E, Weigert R, Sorich MJ, Tewari P, Martin C, O'Toole S, Bates M, Ward M, Mohammed B, Keegan H, Watson W, Prendergast S, Heffernan S, NiMhaolcatha S, O'Connor R, Malone V, Carter M, Ryan K, Brady N, Clarke A, Sokol F, Prabhakaran S, Stahl J, Klebe S, Samaratunga H, Delahunt B, Selemidis S, Moretti KL, Butler LM, O'Leary JJ, Brooks DA., Aberrant protein expression of Appl1, Sortilin and Syndecan-1 during the biological progression of prostate cancer., Pathology, 2022, pS0031-3025(22)00226-4 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Traynor D, Duraipandian S, Bhatia R, Cuschieri K, Tewari P, Kearney P, D'Arcy T, O'Leary JJ, Martin CM, Lyng FM., Development and Validation of a Raman Spectroscopic Classification Model for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN). , Cancers, 14, (7), 2022, p1836 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

O'Donovan B, Mooney T, Rimmer B, Fitzpatrick P, Flannelly G, Doherty L, Russell N, Martin CM, O'Leary JJ, Sharp L, O'Connor M., Corrigendum to "Trust and cancer screening: Effects of a screening controversy on women's perceptions of cervical cancer screening" [Prev. Med. Rep. 25 (2022) 101684]., Preventive medicine reports, 27, 2022, p101773 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Tewari P, Banka P, Kernan N, Reynolds S, White C, Pilkington L, O'Toole S, Sharp L, D'Arcy T, Murphy C, Comiskey C, Martin CM, O'Leary JJ., Prevalence and concordance of oral HPV infections with cervical HPV infections in women referred to colposcopy with abnormal cytology., Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology, 50, (7), 2021, p692-699 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Ward, M.P., Kane, L.E., Norris, L.A et al. , Platelets, immune cells and the coagulation cascade; friend or foe of the circulating tumour cell?, Molecular Cancer, 20, 2021, p59-, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Traynor D, Martin CM, White C, Reynolds S, D'Arcy T, O'Leary JJ, Lyng FM., Raman Spectroscopy of Liquid-Based Cervical Smear Samples as a Triage to Stratify Women Who Are HPV-Positive on Screening., Cancers, 13, (9), 2021, Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Traynor D, Behl I, O'Dea D, Bonnier F, Nicholson S, O'Connell F, Maguire A, Flint S, Galvin S, Healy CM, Martin CM, O'Leary JJ, Malkin A, Byrne HJ, Lyng FM., Raman spectral cytopathology for cancer diagnostic applications., Nature protocols, 16, (7), 2021, p3716-3735 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Tewari P, Kashdan E, Walsh C, Martin CM, Parnell AC, O'Leary JJ., Estimating the conditional probability of developing human papilloma virus related oropharyngeal cancer by combining machine learning and inverse Bayesian modelling., PLoS computational biology, 17, (8), 2021, pe1009289 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED DOI

Page 1 of 11

Martin CM, Molecular Biomarker Approaches to Cervical Cancer Screening for Improved Outcomes. , Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI) Annual Conference, TTMI St James, 23/03/2018, 2018, Invited Talk, PRESENTED

O'Leary JJ, White C, Spillane C, Naik, P, O'Brien, R, Reynolds, S, Pham, T, Pilkington, L, Sharkey Ochoa, I, Bolger, N, Barry O'Crowley, J, Tewari, P, O'Toole, S, Sweeney, M, Keegan, H, Normand, C, Sharp, L, Flannelly, G, Martin, CM. , Cervical screening: A new way forward (tests of risk and tests of disease) [version 1; referees: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]., HRB Open Research, 1, (3), 2018, Journal Article, PUBLISHED

Martin CM, White, C, Flannelly, G, O'Leary JJ., CERVIVA Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Primary Screening Pilot, Cancer Professional, (Autumn), 2018, Journal Article, PUBLISHED

Martin CM, An update from the CERVIVA HPV Primary Screening Study in Ireland. , CervicalCheck Colposcopy Forum , Dublin, 24/11/2017., 2017, Invited Talk, PRESENTED

White C, Reynolds S, Naik P, O' Brien R, Pham T, Sharkey Ochoa I, Powles C, Bolger N, Barry O'Crowley J, Tewari P, O'Toole S, Normand C, Sharp L, Flannelly G, O'Leary JJ, Martin CM on behalf of CERVIVA the Irish Cervical Screening Research Consortium. , A comparison of HPV DNA and HPV mRNA Assays in a Primary Screening Population, Laboratory Investigation, 2017 97: 85-126; , 2017, Published Abstract, PUBLISHED

Martin CM, Keynote Lecture: Tomorrows HPV Challenges, Northern Ireland Colposcopy Conference 2015, outh West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. , 24/04/2015, 2015, Invited Talk, PRESENTED

Martin CM, HPV and cervical disease the essential guide, BSCCP Basic Training Course, RCPI, Dublin, 08/10/2015, 2015, Invited Talk, PRESENTED

Martin C, Astbury, K, O'Leary, JJ. , Molecular Biomarkers in Cervical Cancer, Cancerwise, 4, (2), 2005, p15 - 19, Journal Article, PUBLISHED

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

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Dr. Cara Martin

Dr. Cara Martin

Assistant Professor (Histopathology)

Cara.Martin@tcd.ie

3531 4085674/4085674/4085430

Assistant Professor (Molecular Medicine Ireland)

http://people.tcd.ie/cmartin3

Biography

Research Tags

Research Projects

Representations

Languages

Memberships

Membership of Professional Institutions, Associations, Societies

Publications and other Research Outputs

Publications