Dr Larissa Vaz Goncalves
PhD student
School of Public Health
Research Officer
Frazer Institute
Larissa is a Nutritionist, having obtained a master's in Health Science in Brazil (where she is from). She completed her PhD at the School of Public Health, University of Queensland. Larissa’s thesis focuses specifically on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive type of breast cancer, with limited treatment options and the poorest prognosis.
Larissa is passionate about working on research focused on cancer prevention and improving outcomes. Currently, she is a Research Fellow at the Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, working with the Integrating Genomics into Medicine team.
Researcher biography
I am a nutritionist with a background in public health and over a decade of experience working in breast cancer research. My work has focused on cancer prevention, optimal care, and improving patient outcomes. I am currently a Research Fellow at the Frazer Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, where I work with the Integrating Genomics into Medicine team. I am also a casual Academic at the School of Public Health, University of Queensland.
Book Chapter
Vaz-Gonçalves, Larissa, de Souza, Jaqueline Schroeder, Reitz, Luiza Kuhnen and Godinho-Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques (2024). Nutritional Management of Sarcopenia in Oncology. Interdisciplinary Cancer Research. (pp. 1-28) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/16833_2024_336
Journal Articles
Godinho-Mota, Jordana, Gonçalves, Larissa Vaz, Soares, Leonardo Ribeiro, Lopes, Wiviane Dias, Martins, Karine Anusca, Bronzi, Luciana and Freitas-Junior, Ruffo (2025). Association between glycemic index and glycemic load of the diet, insulin, and breast cancer: A case-control study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 43 (16_suppl), e12515-16_SUPPL. doi: 10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e12515
Vaz-Gonçalves, Larissa, Marquart-Wilson, Louise, Protani, Melinda M., Stephensen, Meghan T., Moore, Julie, Morris, Michelle F, Saunus, Jodi M. and Reeves, Marina M. (2025). Capturing breast cancer subtypes in cancer registries: insights into real-world incidence and survival. Journal of Cancer Policy, 44 100567, 100567. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2025.100567
Barbosa, Rebeca Palhares, Azevedo, Marina de Sá, Silva, Ludmilla Fernandes, Siqueira, Jéssika Martins, Vaz-Gonçalves, Larissa, Godinho-Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques and Martins, Karine Anusca (2025). Estimativa, em 10 anos, do risco de fraturas osteoporóticas e de quadril em mulheres da região centro-oeste do Brasil: Garvan® versus Frax®. Revista Brasileira de Ciências do Envelhecimento Humano, 21, 14-21. doi: 10.5335/rbceh.v20i1.14419
Vaz-Goncalves, Larissa, Protani, Melinda M., Saunus, Jodi M., Colditz, Graham A. and Reeves, Marina M. (2024). Continental differences in the association between excess body weight and prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 209 (2), 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s10549-024-07538-w
Figueiredo, Brenda Borges Tosta, Matos, Ruthiellen Gomes, Abreu, Ana Clara Ferreira, Martins, Karine Anusca, Gonçalves, Larissa Vaz, Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques Godinho and Souza, Luciana Bronzi de (2024). Consumo alimentar, de acordo com o grau de processamento (NOVA), de mulheres com câncer de mama e fatores associados ao hábito de fumar. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, 7 (2) e69110, 1-18. doi: 10.34119/bjhrv7n2-419
Azevedo, Marina de Sá, Esper-Pereira, Brenda, Vaz-Gonçalves, Larissa, Schincaglia, Raquel Machado, Guimarães, Marília Mendonça, Martins, Karine Anusca and Souza, Luciana Bronzi de (2024). Social media use is associated with body image concern in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jornal Brasileiro de Psiquiatria, 73 (3) e20240040. doi: 10.1590/0047-2085-2024-0040
Godinho-Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques, Vaz-Gonçalves, Larissa, Dias Custódio, Isis Danyelle, Schroeder de Souza, Jaqueline, Mota, João Felipe, Gonzalez, Maria Cristina, Rodrigues Vilella, Priscylla, Anusca Martins, Karine, Paiva Maia, Yara Cristina de, Verde, Sara Maria Moreira Lima, Frenzel, Aline Porciúncula, Di Pietro, Patricia Faria, Costa Marinho, Eduarda da and Freitas-Junior, Ruffo (2023). Impact of chemotherapy regimens on body composition of breast cancer women: a multicenter study across four Brazilian regions. Nutrients, 15 (7) 1689, 1-11. doi: 10.3390/nu15071689
Souza, Luciana Bronzi de, Schincaglia, Raquel Machado, Aiello Bomfim, Rafael and Vaz-Gonçalvez, Larissa (2022). Ultra-processed food consumption and its association with nutritional, functional, and health characteristics in Brazilian elders. PAJAR - Pan American Journal of Aging Research, 10 (1) e42968, 1-13. doi: 10.15448/2357-9641.2022.1.42968
Lopes, Lorena Cristina Curado, Vaz-Gonçalves, Larissa, Schincaglia, Raquel Machado, Gonzalez, Maria Cristina, Prado, Carla M., de Oliveira, Erick P. and Mota, João Felipe (2022). Sex and population-specific cutoff values of muscle quality index: Results from NHANES 2011–2014. Clinical Nutrition, 41 (6), 1328-1334. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.04.026
Correia, Elisa Silva, Godinho-Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques, Schincaglia, Raquel Machado, Martins, Karine Anusca, Martins, Jéssika Siqueira, Vilella, Priscylla Rodrigues, Soares, Leonardo Ribeiro and Vaz-Gonçalves, Larissa (2022). Metabolic Syndrome in postmenopausal women: prevalence, sensibility, and specificity of adiposity indices. Clinical Nutrition Open Science, 41, 106-114. doi: 10.1016/j.nutos.2022.01.001
de Godoy, Luan Miranda, Pinheiro, Marina Alves, Godinho-Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques, Vaz-Gonçalves, Larissa, Schincaglia, Raquel Machado, Martins, Karine Anusca and de Souza, Luciana Bronzi (2022). Diet quality index and its components have not associated with the development of breast cancer risk assessed by the diet quality index: a case-control study. Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia, 25 e220027, e220027. doi: 10.1590/1980-549720220027
Godoy, Luan Miranda de, Pinheiro, Marina Alves, Godinho-Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques, Vaz-Gonçalves, Larissa, Schincaglia, Raquel Machado, Martins, Karine Anusca and Souza, Luciana Bronzi de (2022). Índice de qualidade da dieta e seus componentes não se associaram ao desenvolvimento de câncer de mama: um estudo caso-controle. Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia, 25. doi: 10.1590/1980-549720220027.2
Godinho-Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques, Mota, Joao Felipe, Vaz Gonçalves, Larissa , Soares, Leonardo Ribeiro, Schincaglia, Raquel Machado, Prado, Carla M., Martins, Karine Anuska and Freitas-Junior, Ruffo (2021). Chemotherapy negatively impacts body composition, physical function and metabolic profile in patients with breast cancer. Clinical Nutrition, 40 (5), 3421-3428. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2020.11.020
Rodrigues, Priscylla V., Anusca, Karine M., Vaz Goncalves, Larissa, Silva-Correia, Elisa, Sá A., Marina de, Martins, Jéssika S. and Marques, Jordana G.M. (2019). Are women with breast cancer more likely to follow dietary recommendations and have sufficient vitamin A intake compared to healthy controls?. Revista Chilena de Nutricion, 46 (6), 683-689. doi: 10.4067/s0717-75182019000600683
Godinho-Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques, Vaz Gonçalves, Larissa, Mota, Joao Felipe, Soares, Leonardo Ribeiro, Schincaglia, Raquel Machado, Martins, Karine Anusca and Freitas-Junior, Ruffo (2019). Sedentary Behavior and Alcohol Consumption Increase Breast Cancer Risk Regardless of Menopausal Status: A Case-Control Study. Nutrients, 11 (8) 1871, 1-9. doi: 10.3390/nu11081871
Gonçalves, Larissa Vaz, Martins, Karine Anusca, Godinho-Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques, Schincaglia, Raquel Machado, Sousa, Ana Luisa Lima and Freitas-Junior, Ruffo (2019). High bone mineral density of the lumbar spine is positively associated with breast cancer. BioMed Research International, 2019 8010356, 1-10. doi: 10.1155/2019/8010356
Godinho-Mota, Jordana C. M., Gonçalves, Larissa V., Soares, Leonardo R., Mota, João F., Martins, Karine A., Freitas-Junior, Ismael and Freitas-Junior, Ruffo (2018). Abdominal adiposity and physical inactivity are positively associated with breast cancer: A case-control study. BioMed Research International, 2018 4783710, 4783710. doi: 10.1155/2018/4783710
Godinho-Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques, Martins, Karine Anusca, Vaz Goncalves, Larissa, Mota, João Felipe, Soares, Leonardo Ribeiro and Freitas-Junior, Ruffo (2018). Visceral adiposity increases the risk of breast cancer: a case-control study. Nutrición Hospitalaria, 35 (3), 576-581. doi: 10.20960/nh.1441
Vaz Gonçalves, Larissa, Faria, Sara Socorro, Mota, Jordana Carolina Marques Godinho, Martins, Karine Anusca and Junior, Ruffo Freitas- (2017). Alteration of bone mineral density in breast cancer female survivors on chemotherapy treatment: an integrative review. Revista Brasileira de Mastologia, 27 (3), 230-236. doi: 10.5327/z2594539420170000194
Conference Papers
Cintra Vaz Ribeiro, L., Vaz Gonçalves, L., Ribeiro Soares, L., Freitas Júnior, R., Anusca Martins, K., Gonzalez, M.C., Prado, C.M., Mota, J.F. and Marques Godinho Mota, J.C. (2025). Pre-treatment impact of body composition and muscle strength on survival in women with breast cancer. 47th ESPEN Congress, Prague, Czechia, 13-16 September 2025. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.07.034
Vaz-Goncalves, Larissa, Marquart-Wilson, Louise, Protani, Melinda, Saunus, Jodi, Moore, Julie, Morris, Michelle and Reeves, Marina (2025). Abstract P5-11-22: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and survival outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer: a population-based study (Queensland, Australia). San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2024, San Antonio, TX, United States, 10-13 December 2024. Philadelphia, PA, United States: American Association for Cancer Research. doi: 10.1158/1557-3265.sabcs24-p5-11-22
Vaz-Goncalves, Larissa, Marquart-Wilson, Louise, Protani, Melinda M., Saunus, Jodi M., Moore, Julie, Morris, Michelle J. and Reeves, Marina M. (2024). Receipt and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment and survival outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer in Queensland: a retrospective population-based cohort. COSA's 51st Annual Scientific Meeting, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 13–15 November 2024. Richmond, VIC Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
Vaz-Goncalves, L., Marquart-Wilson, L., Protani, M., Stephensen, M., Saunus, J., Moore, J., Morris, M. and Reeves, M. (2024). Investigating survival by breast cancer molecular subtype in Australia: A population-based study. ESMO Congress 2024, Barcelona, Spain, 13-17 September 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.08.237
Thesis
Vaz Goncalves, Larissa (2025). Triple-negative breast cancer in Australia: investigating factors associated with prognosis. PhD Thesis, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/2cab718