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There are several layers of review and oversight for research studies like CPS-3. In the case of CPS-3,
after review by scientists in our department, the study will be peer-reviewed by cancer researchers
from many prominent universities and research institutions. This external review will be done formally
through a CPS-3 Advisory Committee. In addition to the CPS-3 Advisory Committee, review and
oversight of the study also will be done by the Emory University Institutional Review Board (IRB) and
will continue throughout the study. The IRB is a research oversight committee charged with assuring,
both in advance and by periodic review, that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and
welfare of humans participating as subjects in approved research studies. Even when a study has
completed active work, the IRB continues to provide oversight while investigators analyze data from
questionnaires or from biological samples that were collected. Ultimately, study results are published
in peer-reviewed, high-quality medical and scientific journals.
An Overview of the Epidemiology Program
 The American Cancer Society's Department of
Epidemiology conducts, analyzes, and publishes original research on the
causes and prevention of cancer. Current analyses rely primarily on the CPS-II, managed and run by
the Epidemiology program, a group of approximately 25 full-time staff members including 9
doctoral-level and 12 masters-level personnel. CPS-II activities include ongoing tracking and
follow-up of study participants, data collection and management, data editing and analysis, and
reporting in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific meetings.
CPS Investigators
Alpa V. Patel, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator, CPS-3
Dr. Patel received a Master in Public Health from Emory University in 1997, and a Ph.D. in
Epidemiology (2002) from the University of Southern California. She gained experience in
epidemiology as a postdoctoral fellow at the American Cancer Society in the Analytic Epidemiology
program (2002-2004) prior to becoming a Senior Epidemiologist in Analytic Epidemiology. Her primary
area of interest is the role of physical activity in cancer prevention. Her work has also focused on a
variety of lifestyle and genetic risk factors in pancreatic, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.
Susan M. Gapstur, Ph.D.
Vice President of Epidemiology
Dr. Gapstur received her Master’s in Public Health (MPH) and her Ph.D. (1993) in Epidemiology from the University of Minnesota. She began her academic career as an Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois in 1994. She subsequently was promoted to Associate and then Full Professor, and also assumed the role of Associate Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Dr. Gapstur recently joined the American Cancer Society (February, 2009) as the Vice President of Epidemiology. In this capacity, she oversees all program activities including data collection, management, and analyses for the Cancer Prevention Studies. Her research focuses on the hormonal determinants of chronic disease risk, with a particularly emphasis of breast and prostate cancer. In addition, her research is designed to identify potential prevention strategies for reducing racial/ethnic disparities in cancer incidence and mortality.
Michael J. Thun, M.D.
Vice President Emeritus
Dr. Thun received an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and a Master of
Science in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. He has worked for 25 years in
epidemiology and disease prevention, first as a Medical Officer investigating toxic exposures at the
New Jersey State Health Department, and then as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer and staff
scientist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (1980-1988). In 1989, Dr. Thun joined the American Cancer Society (ACS) as the
Director of Analytic Epidemiology. From 1998 - 2009 he served as Vice President of Epidemiology and
Surveillance Research, overseeing both cancer surveillance and analytic epidemiology research. His
research covers a wide range of issues within cancer epidemiology, including studies on the potential
of aspirin as an anti-cancer agent, alcohol, obesity, the effects of active smoking and environmental
tobacco smoke, and other factors, based on the ACS Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS-II).
Eric J. Jacobs, Ph.D.
Strategic Director, Pharmacoepidemiology
Dr. Jacobs completed a Ph.D. in Epidemiology at the University of Washington (1996), and joined
the American Cancer Society in 1996. He is currently a Senior Epidemiologist with the American
Cancer Society's Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research. Dr. Jacobs’ research
interests include colorectal cancer, and the potential effects of nutritional supplements and common
medications, such as aspirin and cholesterol-lowering drugs, on the risk of developing cancers.
Marjorie L. McCullough, Sc.D.
Strategic Director, Nutritional Epidemiology
Dr. McCullough received her Master of Science (1986) in Clinical Dietetics from the
Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, and a Doctor of Science degree
(1999) in Nutritional Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. She gained experience
in clinical and epidemiological research in nutrition while working at both the Massachusetts General
Hospital and the Brigham and WomenÂ’s Hospital in Boston, MA (1986-1996). She is currently a Senior
Epidemiologist in the Analytic Epidemiology program at the American Cancer Society. Her research
has been primarily in the areas of calcium and vitamin D, plant foods and diet patterns in relation to
risk of several cancers, including gastrointestinal and breast cancers. She is also interested in
dietary assessment methodology.
Victoria L. Stevens, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Dr. Stevens received her Ph.D. (1988) in Biochemistry from Emory University. She then
completed a postdoctoral fellowship in biochemistry at Merck Research Laboratories (1988-1990).
She is currently a Research Scientist in the Analytic Epidemiology program at the American Cancer
Society. Her research has been primarily in the areas of folate metabolism and transport, influence
of folate nutrition, and genetic variants in folate-metabolizing enzymes on risk of breast, prostate,
cervical, and other cancers, as well as genetic determinants of nicotine dependence, and
gene-environment interactions that affect cancer risk.
Peter T. Campbell, Ph.D.
Senior Epidemiologist
Dr. Campbell received a Master of Science (2000) in Kinesiology and Health Services
from York University, and a Ph.D. (2006) in Epidemiology from the University of Toronto. He conducted a postdoctoral
fellowship in the Cancer Prevention Program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA (2006-2008),
where his main research interests involved the effects of exercise and weight loss on biomarkers of cancer risk. He
joined the American Cancer Society in 2008 as a Senior Epidemiologist. His reseach interests primarily involve the role
of physical activity and obesity, including intermediate biomarkers, on risk of gastrointertinal cancers.
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