Strategic Director, Risk Factor Surveillance, American Cancer Society

Dr. Cokkinides, along with her staff, provide scientific expertise on cancer risk factors. Since joining the American Cancer Society in 1999, she has been instrumental in developing research initiatives using public health surveillance databases to support health-related monitoring of modifiable cancer risk factors, including tobacco use, sun exposure, nutrition and physical activity. She also does population tracking of Society recommended cancer screening utilization.

Dr. Cokkinides earned her B.S. in applied biology with honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology, followed by a Master's (1990) and Doctoral (1997) degree in Epidemiology from the University of South Carolina.

While pursuing her Doctoral degree, Dr. Cokkinides worked at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and from 1993-1997 maintained a surveillance program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prior to joining the American Cancer Society she held a senior research fellow position in epidemiology with the Health Resources and Service Administration, Bureau of Primary Health Care (DHHS).  Dr. Cokkinides is fluent in Spanish and English.