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Principal Investigators

All programs and branches

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

  • Abnet, Christian C., Ph.D., M.P.H.
    Etiologic studies of esophageal and gastric cancers, with a focus on diet, environmental toxins, and the human microbiome.
  • Abubakar, Mustapha, M.D., Ph.D.
    Dr. Abubakar’s integrative research program in computational pathoepidemiology is focused on advancing scientific understanding into the role of tissue ecosystem disruption in the etiology, natural history, tumor heterogeneity, and clinical outcomes of screening-detectable cancers.
  • Albanes, Demetrius, M.D.
    Nutritional and molecular determinants of prostate, lung, and other cancers. Focus on role of micronutrients, vitamin supplementation, and exposures related to energy balance and anthropometry.
  • Albert, Paul S., Ph.D.
    Complex modeling of correlated outcomes in biomedical sciences, including the analysis of longitudinal data, diagnostic testing, and data from biomarker studies
  • Almeida, Jonas S., Ph.D.
    Multidisciplinary research that combines systems biology, computational statistics, data science and software engineering for biomedical applications.
  • Amundadottir, Laufey T., Ph.D.
    Gene mapping, functional analyses, pancreatic cancer.

B

  • Barnholtz-Sloan, Jill, Ph.D.
    Descriptive epidemiology and etiology of brain tumors.
  • Beane-Freeman, Laura E., Ph.D.
    Cancer risks associated with occupational and environmental exposures, including formaldehyde, drinking water contaminants, and those found in agriculture. Cancer types include non-Hodgkin lymphoma and cancers of the brain, skin, lip, stomach, and prostate.
  • Berndt, Sonja I., Pharm.D., Ph.D.
    Genetic epidemiology of cancer, particularly prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and colorectal neoplasia; genetic architecture of anthropometric traits; molecular biomarkers related to cancer.
  • Brown, Kevin M., Ph.D.
    Melanoma, genome-wide association studies, familial linkage studies, RNAi, cancer therapeutics.

C

  • Cahoon, Elizabeth K., Ph.D., M.H.S., S.M.
    Dr. Cahoon’s research aims to uncover new, potentially modifiable factors that impact the effects of ultraviolet radiation on skin cancer risks and to expand and advance the assessment of cancer in relation to ionizing radiation exposure
  • Camargo, Constanza, Ph.D.
    Epidemiologic studies of gastric and esophageal cancers that have potential application for screening and prevention.
  • Castle, Philip, Ph.D.
    Dr. Castle’s interests are the science and translation of cancer prevention strategies; global health disparities research; epidemiology of human papillomaviruses (HPV) and cervical/anogenital cancer.
  • Chanock, Stephen J., M.D.
    Investigation of the genetic architecture of cancer susceptibility; Characterization of the scope of genetic mosaicism and its contribution to cancer risk ; Determination of how germline variation informs our understanding of somatic alterations in cancer.
  • Chaturvedi, Anil K., Ph.D.
    Role of HPV in the etiology of head and neck cancers, natural history of head and neck cancer precursors, inflammation and cancer risk, role of inflammation in the etiology of lung cancer and other smoking-associated cancers.
  • Cheung, Li C., Ph.D.
    Dr. Cheung seeks to utilize epidemiologic findings to inform risk-based and benefit-based approaches to cancer screening and prevention.
  • Choi, Ji Yeon, Ph.D.
    Dr. Choi’s research focuses on understanding genetic susceptibility to melanoma and lung cancer.
  • Clarke, Megan A., Ph.D., M.H.S.
    Dr. Clarke conducts research combining molecular, clinical, and population-based approaches to address etiology, prevention, and early detection of anogenital, cervical, and endometrial cancers.

D

  • Dean, Michael C., Ph.D.
    Inherited (germline) genetic variation, somatic mutations in tumors, and the combined effect of both on cancer risk, progression, and response to therapy.
  • Dutta, Diptavo, Ph.D.
    Dr. Diptavo Dutta directs a comprehensive research program that integrates genetic and omics data to understand the contribution of ancestry and genetic factors to the etiology and manifestation of cancer.

E

  • Engels, Eric A., M.D., M.P.H
    HIV- and AIDS-associated cancers. Solid organ transplant-related cancers. Cancers associated with other immune-related conditions.

F

  • Figueroa, Jonine D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
    Leader in breast cancer epidemiology, investigating risk factors associated with breast cancer incidence and mortality in diverse populations.
  • Friesen, Melissa C., Ph.D.
    Development and validation of retrospective exposure assessment of occupational risk factors to minimize exposure misclassification in epidemiologic studies of cancer.

G

  • Gadalla, Shahinaz M., Ph.D., M.B.Bch.
    Dr. Gadalla’s research interests focus on identifying and characterizing individuals at high risk of developing cancer and discovering predictive and prognostic biomarkers that may guide therapeutic decisions for those patients.
  • Gail, Mitchell H., M.D., Ph.D.
    Studies of breast and gastric cancer etiology and risk assessment. Statistical methods for observational and experimental studies, including design and analysis of genetic epidemiologic studies.
  • Gierach, Gretchen L., Ph.D., M.P.H.
    Etiology of hormonally-related female cancers. Molecular mechanisms underlying breast carcinogenesis. Molecular epidemiology of mammographic density and breast cancer.
  • Goldstein, Alisa M., Ph.D.
    Genetic epidemiology of cancer, integrating epidemiologic, clinical, and molecular approaches. Developing and evaluating methods to examine gene-environment interactions in complex diseases.
  • Graubard, Barry I., Ph.D.
    Use of national surveys and other types of population based-studies for conducting epidemiologic and risk factor surveillance studies related to the incidence of and mortality from cancer. Statistical methods for design and analysis of observational and randomized studies with complex sample designs.

H

  • Hofmann, Jonathan N., Ph.D., M.P.H.
    Evaluating the role of agricultural exposures in the etiology of multiple myeloma and other cancers, understanding the biological mechanisms that influence the development and progression of multiple myeloma, and investigating the etiology of renal cell carcinoma
  • Hong, Grace, Ph.D., M.S.
    Development of cutting-edge statistical methods for analyses of complex large-scale datasets (e.g., high-dimensional censored data and longitudinal data), and their application to the fields of public health, medicine, and health policy research.

J

  • Jackson, Sarah S., Ph.D.
    Dr. Jackson's research questions ask: 1) How do cancer risk factors, incidence, and outcomes among transgender and gender diverse adults differ from cisgender adults, and 2) How do sex differences (hormones, chromosomes, etc.) influence cancer risk and survival?
  • Jones, Rena, Ph.D., M.S.
    Application of Geographic Information Systems and novel approaches to assess environmental exposures, especially air and water pollutants, and identifying and clarifying how these exposures may cause cancer.

K

  • Katki, Hormuzd A., Ph.D.
    Predicting cervical cancer risk. Estimating absolute risks from studies nested within cohorts. Efficient study designs for comparing diagnostic tests. Methodology for clinical genetics.
  • Keil, Alexander P., Ph.D.
    Dr. Keil focuses on methodological approaches to addressing biases in occupational health studies and understanding the human health impacts of exposure mixtures.
  • Khincha, Payal P., MBBS, MSHS
    Clinical evaluations and genetics epidemiology of individuals with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. Diagnostic methods and clinical management of dyskeratosis congenita (DC), a cancer-prone inherited bone marrow failure syndrome and telomere biology disorder (TBD).
  • Kitahara, Cari, Ph.D.
    Cancer risks associated with occupational exposure to low-dose radiation from emerging medical practices and procedures, and etiology of radiation-associated cancers, including potential effect modifiers. Cancer sites include brain (glioma) and thyroid.
  • Koshiol, Jill, Ph.D
    Infections and inflammation in association with hepatobiliary cancers
  • Koutros, Stella, Ph.D., M.P.H.
    Evaluation of occupational exposures as potential risk factors for cancer; exposure assessment and molecular studies within highly exposed populations to identify and clarify the biological mechanisms underlying chemical-induced carcinogenesis; and gene-environment interaction. Specific exposures include organophosphate insecticides, agricultural pesticides, acrylonitrile, diesel exhaust.
  • Kraft, Peter L., Ph.D.
    Developing, evaluating, and implementing multifactorial risk models for breast cancer; understanding how genetic and nongenetic risk factors influence breast tumor mutational signatures, immune response, and prognosis; leveraging emerging data on inherited germline variation to better understand cancer development and progression.
  • Kreimer, Aimee R., Ph.D
    Epidemiology of human papillomaviruses (HPV) infection and resultant cancers at multiple anatomic sites, including the oropharynx, cervix, and anus.

L

  • Lan, Qing, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
    Molecular epidemiology studies of indoor air pollution and lung cancer, molecular epidemiology studies of benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde, and genetic susceptibility of non-hodgkin lymphoma
  • Landi, Maria T., M.D., Ph.D.
    Association and linkage approaches in genetic epidemiology of cutaneous malignant melanoma, genetic factors of lung cancer and smoking, health consequences of dioxin exposure.
  • Lee, Choonsik, Ph.D.
    Organ radiation dose estimations for diagnostic and therapeutic medical procedures using computer simulations of human anatomy and radiation-generating machines.
  • Little, Mark P., D.Phil.
    Low-dose radiation and cancer risk, high-dose radiation and cancer risk, modeling of radio-biological processes.
  • Liu, Danping, Ph.D.
    Developing new statistical methodologies for combining cross-sectional and longitudinal biomarker data for disease prediction, environmental health
  • Loftfield, Erikka L., Ph.D., M.P.H.
    Interplay between diet, metabolism, the microbiome and genetics and their effects on cancer risk. Leverages developing technologies to improve dietary assessment and gain insights into diet-cancer associations.

M

  • Machiela, Mitchell J., Sc.D., M.P.H.
    Elucidating the role of germline genetic variation and somatic clonal mosaicism on the risk of developing pediatric and common adult cancers
  • Matthews, Charles E., Ph.D.
    Etiologic studies of the role of physical activity and energy balance/obesity in cancer prevention and control, as well as the development of better methods for the assessment of active and sedentary behaviors in population-based research.
  • Mbulaiteye, Sam M., MBChB, M.Phil., M.Med.
    Unraveling the role of infections, immunity, and genetic factors in the etiology of Burkitt lymphoma, a malignancy that is endemic in Africa and whose risk is substantially increased in the setting of HIV/AIDS.
  • McGlynn, Katherine A., Ph.D., M.P.H.
    Molecular epidemiology of primary liver cancer and testicular cancer.
  • McReynolds, Lisa J., M.D., Ph.D.
    Inherited predisposition to hematopoietic malignancies, investigating both germline and somatic mutations effect on disease and transplant outcomes.
  • Mirabello, Lisa, Ph.D.
    Osteosarcoma etiology and risk factors and carcinogenic HPV genomics
  • Moore, Steven C., Ph.D., M.P.H.
    The role of physical activity and obesity in the development of cancer; diet biomarkers; metabolomics studies.
  • Morton, Lindsay M., Ph.D.
    Genetic susceptibility to second cancers. Treatment-related (radiography and chemotherapy) second primary gastrointestinal cancers, as well as cancers of the breast, cervix, and testis, retinoblastoma, and hematopoietic malignancies. Also second cancer risks in high-risk populations, such as recipients of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplants.

O

P

  • Pfeiffer, Ruth M., Ph.D.
    Statistical methods for: genetic epidemiology, including power assessment of association studies, family data accounting for ascertainment , DNA pooling for joint genotype estimation, and lab data methods.
  • Prokunina Olsson, Liudmila, Ph.D.
    Dr. Prokunina-Olsson explores the connections between genome-wide association studies (GWAS) -identified genetic susceptibility variants and molecular phenotypes of importance for cancer. Some of her findings have resulted in translational and clinical applications.
  • Purdue, Mark P., Ph.D.
    Molecular investigations into the etiologies of lymphoid malignancies and renal cell carcinoma; exposure to chlorinated solvents and cancer risk.

R

  • Rabkin, Charles S., M.D.
    Molecular mechanisms of infection- and inflammation-related cancers, particularly for gastric cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as a co-factor with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the established cause of most cancers of the noncardia stomach.
  • Rosenberg, Philip, Ph.D.
    HIV/AIDS natural history. Viruses and cancer, including HCV, SV40, and KSHV. Meta-analysis in genetic epidemiology. Smoothing and nonparametric regression. Cancer susceptibility.
  • Rothman, Nathaniel, M.D., M.P.H., M.H.S.
    Molecular epidemiology studies of populations exposed to occupational and environmental carcinogens.

S

  • Sargen, Michael R., M.D.
    Studies the clinical, histopathologic, and genetic characteristics of melanoma-prone families. Also uses epidemiologic and molecular approaches to investigate risk factors for sebaceous carcinoma and other rare cutaneous malignancies.
  • Savage, Sharon A., M.D.
    Genetic and molecular epidemiology of telomere biology, pediatric cancer etiology, and inherited cancer predisposition syndromes.
  • Schiffman, Mark H., M.D., M.P.H.
    Molecular epidemiology to study the natural history of human papillomavirus infection on the risk of cervical cancer. Applications for cervical cancer prevention.
  • Shi, Jianxin, Ph.D.
    Developing quantitative methods and leading substantive projects to advance the knowledge about cancer genomics and potential translational applications. Focus on cancer genetic epidemiology, cancer genomics, and microbiome epidemiology.
  • Shiels, Meredith S., Ph.D.
    Research includes: Quantifying cancer risk and burden in people living with HIV; estimating the impact of risk factors on changing cancer rates over time; and understanding rising rates of premature mortality in the United States.
  • Silverman, Debra T., Sc.D., Sc.M.
    Environmental and host determinants of pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, and carcinogenicity of diesel exhaust.
  • Sinha, Rashmi, Ph.D.
    Interdisciplinary studies of the role of diet in cancer etiology, especially the role of meat, poultry, and fish in relation to cancer risk. Study of non-nutritive constituents of diet, e.g., carcinogens formed during the cooking process and chemopreventive properties of coffee. Methods studies. Evaluating the associations of cancer risk factors with the human microbiome.
  • Stewart, Douglas R., M.D.
    Cancer risk and phenotype in the DICER1 syndrome and neurofibromatosis type 1. Gene identification in familial tumor-predisposition disorders.
  • Stolzenberg-Solomon, Rachael Z., Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D.
    Prospective studies of dietary and lifestyle factors, as well as nutritional and molecular biomarkers in relation to primarily gastrointestinal cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer.

V

  • Vogtmann, Emily J., Ph.D., M.P.H.
    Association between the human microbiome and cancer risk and evaluation of methods for collection, storage, and processing of samples and data for study of the human microbiome.

W

  • Ward, Mary H., Ph.D.
    Environmental exposures (drinking water contaminants and pesticides) and exposure assessment using Geographic Information Systems. Etiology of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and gastric cancer.
  • Wentzensen, Nicolas, M.D., Ph.D.
    Etiology of cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. HPV - related carcinogenesis. Discovery and translation of biomarkers for gynecological cancers. Gene methylation.

Y

  • Yang, Rose R., Ph.D., M.P.H.
    Etiology and molecular heterogeneity of breast cancer, in addition to the genetics of chordoma and familial cutaneous malignant melanoma/dysplastic nevi syndrome.
  • Yu, Kai, Ph.D.
    Statistical methods for genetic and genomic studies. Tree-based models and applications in molecular epidemiology studies. Integrative analysis using individual-level and summary-level data.

Z

  • Zhu, Bin, Ph.D.
    Developing and applying novel statistical methods to increase understanding of biological mechanisms underlying complex diseases, and studying the pattern and determinants of disease in human populations.
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