The ultimate goal of Dr. Mahmuds research is to find effective ways to prevent disease. He will be studying whether certain widely used medications (e.g., aspirin, cholesterol lowering drugs, and anti-depressants) could prevent major cancers, such as prostate, colon and cervical cancer. The results of this research could improve our understanding of how cancers develop, which in turn could lead to the development of more effective drugs. He will also carry out studies to assess the effectiveness and safety of vaccines against diseases caused by the human papillomavirus such as cervical cancer.