A Cancer Research Center of Hawaii scientist has received a $6.7 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute.

Dr. Loic Le Marchand, director of the center's Epidemiology Program, will receive the grant over the next four years. His work is aimed at increasing understanding of how specific gene variants act to influence risk of cancer, diabetes and other diseases.

Le Marchand will focus on genetic variances using as a base the center's Multiethnic Cohort Study, which is one of the largest U.S. studies on the effects of diet, lifestyle and genetics in the development of chronic diseases.

"We are very much excited by this opportunity to better characterize recent findings on genetic variation and their link to disease risk," said Le Marchand in a press statement. "This work should facilitate the translation of these discoveries to the clinic."

The National Human Genome Research Institute gave out $31 million in grants for a collaborative research effort on how differences in genes are related to biological and physical characteristics. Scientists also will examine how nongenetic factors such as diet, medications and smoking may interact with genetic factors or with each other in terms of influencing health outcomes, the Cancer Research Center said.