In this episode, I speak with Dr Aviane Auguste, an epidemiologist from Saint Lucia and the first Caribbean guest on the podcast. Now an Assistant Professor at McGill University, Dr Auguste is at the forefront of reshaping cancer research in resource-constrained and geographically isolated settings, with a particular focus on Small Island Developing States.

Trained in biochemistry and biology at Université des Antilles, he went on to complete advanced studies in public health and epidemiology in France, culminating in a PhD in 2019 at Université de Rennes, where he investigated head and neck cancer risk factors in the French West Indies.

His career has included roles as a post-doctoral researcher with the Guadeloupe Cancer Registry and at the Gustave Roussy Institute in Paris. Today, he also co-leads the head and neck cancer working group in the African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3), focusing on disparities in cancer outcomes among populations of African descent.

Currently, Dr Auguste is spearheading the CASIDEC study across six protocol member states of the OECS, an ambitious initiative examining cancer survivorship and health systems in small islands. His research spans community-based cancer prevention, health equity, and the lived realities of patients who must often travel overseas for care.

In our conversation, we discuss what it means to be a pioneer in a space where little precedent exists, how his command of both English and French has shaped his journey, and the balance between rigorous science and grassroots engagement that defines his approach to global health.

Resources Referenced :

1. Thinking in Systems - Donella Meadows : https://amzn.to/45WDVJA

2. CASIDEC Study Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/p/Casidec-study-61566172731223/