Ulrike (Riki) Peters, PhD, MPH

Dr. Ulrike “Riki” Peters, a molecular and genetic epidemiologist, is Associate Director of the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutch. Her research focuses on the genetic epidemiology of colorectal cancer as well as the impact of race and ethnicity on colorectal cancer and other common diseases.

In 2007, Dr. Peters initiated the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium, or GECCO, the world’s largest molecular and genetic consortium for colorectal cancer. The consortium involves researchers from more than 130 institutions around the world. Together, they identify over 200 novel genetic risk factors for colorectal cancer and gene-environment interactions to create personalized screening strategies and better drug therapies. 

In 2020 she and her colleagues initiated the Translational Research Program in Colorectal Cancer Disparities. This multi-institutional collaboration brings together data and biospecimens from African American, Alaska Native, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White colorectal cancer patients to analyze molecular and microbial characteristics of colorectal tumors and their microenvironment in relation to risk and lethal disease to improve the understanding, prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer disparities.

Dr. Peters also leads research that utilizes data from the Women’s Health Initiative minority cohort to understand potential genetic contributions to health disparities, shedding light on critical issues related to healthcare equity and the wellbeing of underrepresented populations.