Carmen Rodriguez, 52, cancer epidemiologist

As a senior epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society, Dr. Carmen Rodriguez had what she considered a dream job.

She adored her colleagues and enjoyed the intellectual challenge of researching the causes of cancer, especially ovarian and prostate cancer, said her husband, Dr. Dirk Schroeder.

Dr. Rodriguez published more than 100 scientific articles throughout her career, and made headlines for her work on the effects of hormone replacement therapy. As a native of Barcelona, she also served as a Spanish-speaking spokesperson for the cancer society, doing interviews with Spanish-language TV networks, newspapers and magazines.

Dr. Rodriguez, 52, died Friday of adrenal cancer at her home in Marietta. The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Catholic Church of St. Ann in Marietta. H.M. Patterson & Son, Canton Hill Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Rodriguez studied medicine in Spain before earning a master’s degree in public health at Johns Hopkins University. She came to Atlanta in 1993.

When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed gardening and having friends over for dinner. She and her husband liked to host parties for 50 to 75 friends, including many from Atlanta’s Latino community, on their big backyard patio, he said.

Additional survivors include two sons, Alesh Schroeder and Chavi Schroeder, both of Marietta.