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Our Researchers

Here at the American Cancer Society (ACS), the world’s best and brightest researchers relentlessly pursue the answers that help us understand how to prevent, detect, and treat all cancer types. And that critical research, combined with our effective community-based anti-cancer initiatives, allows us to put those answers into action. Click on any name to see that researcher's bio.

Research Leadership

Bill Dahut

William Dahut, MD

Chief Scientific Officer
Discovery Science

Center for Innovation in Cancer Research (CICR) Training

About ACS CICR Training
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Elvan Daniels, MD, MPH

Senior Vice President
Center for Innovation in Cancer Research (CICR) Training

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Chanda Felton, MPH

Manager
Center for Innovation in Cancer Research (CICR) Training

headshot of Danielle "Dani" Morrow, long brown hair, red earrings

Danielle "Dani" Morrow, MPH, MCHES

Program Manager
Center for Innovation in Cancer Research (CICR) Training

ACS Research Teams

About Early Cancer Detection Science

Robert A. Smith, PhD

Senior Vice President
Early Cancer Detection Science

Headshot of Deana Baptiste

Deana M. Baptiste, PhD, MPH

Senior Director
Guideline Development

Headshot of Karli Kondo, PhD, MA

Karli Kondo, PhD, MA

Director
Evidence Synthesis

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Jessica Griffin, MS

Evidence Synthesis Manager
Early Cancer Detection Science

Photo of Rita Shiau, MPH, blue sweater with geometric pattern, long black hair, black eyeglasses

Rita Shiau, MPH

Evidence Synthesis Manager
Early Cancer Detection Science

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Rose Relevo, MLIS, MSMI

Senior Information Scientist
Early Cancer Detection Science

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Clarissa Troutman, BS

Specialist
Early Cancer Detection Science

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Julia Haskin, MA

Project Manager
Early Cancer Detection Science

About Extramural Discovery Science
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Christina Annunziata, MD, PhD

Senior Vice President
Extramural Discovery Science

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Kathleen Goss, PhD

Senior Scientific Director
Career Growth & Research Excellence

Nicole Lopanik, PhD

Scientist
Career Growth & Research Excellence

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Douglas R. Hurst, PhD

Scientific Director
Biochemistry and Immunology of Cancer

Headshot of Santina Snow, PhD

Santina Snow, PhD

Senior Associate Scientist
Biochemistry and Immunology of Cancer

Headshot of Paul Campbell, PhD

Paul Campbell, PhD

Scientific Director
Cell Biology and Preclinical Cancer Research

Headshot of Kim Yasutis, PhD

Kim Yasutis, PhD

Senior Associate Scientist
Cell Biology and Preclinical Cancer Research

Headshot of researcher Joanne Elena, PhD, MPH, black rimmed eyeglasses, long, blonde hair, bright green blazer over a bright green blouse

Joanne Elena, PhD, MPH

Scientific Director
Clinical and Population Sciences Research

Headshot of researcher Allana Roach, PhD, MSB

Allana Roach, PhD, MSB

Scientific Associate Scientist
Clinical and Population Sciences Research

Kim Clarke, PhD

Senior Scientist
Research Special Programs & Projects

Headshot of researcher Kristen Cincotta, PhD, standing in front of an American Cancer Society logo sign

Kristen Cincotta, PhD

Strategic Director
Research Impact and Engagement

Headshot of Sabrina Times, PhD, MPH

Sabrina Times, PhD, MPH

Research Engagement Manager
Research Impact and Engagement

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Karen L. Murphy, PhD

Senior Scientist
Research Analytics & Reporting

About Population Science
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Alpa V. Patel, PhD

Senior Vice President
Population Science

close up portrait of Peter J. Briggs, MPH Director, Study and Biospecimen Management, Epidemiology Research Program

Peter J. Briggs, MPH

Senior Director
Study Management

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Anusila Deka, MPH

Senior Scientist
Study Management

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Olivia Dunlap, BS

Assistant Scientist
Study Management

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Jeuneviette Bontemps-Jones, MPH

Senior Associate Scientist
Study Management

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Den Adinah E, BA, CTR

Associate Scientist II
Study Management

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Jillian Nelson, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Study Management

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Jeshondria McCrary, BS

Senior Associate Scientist
Study Management

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Ashley Yeager, BS

Associate Scientist
Study Management

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Scott Whalen, BS

Assistant Scientist
Study Management

close up portrait of Daniela Dudas, MPH Director, Study and Biospecimen Management, Epidemiology Research Program

Daniela Dudas, MPH

Senior Director
Study Management

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Jayson L Crump, BS

Technical Project Leader
OCRI - Study Management

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Elizabeth G. Kirkland, MPH

Senior Scientist
Study Management

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Tayanna S. Smith, MPH

Associate Scientist I
Study Management

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Dannelle Charles, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Study Management

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Aileen Artus, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Study Management

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Maria Moore, BS

Assistant Scientist
Participant Portal

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Jaimyn Johnson, BS

Assistant Scientist
Participant Portal

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Mariah Landry, BSN, MSPH

Associate Scientist I
Study Management

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Tiffany Patterson, MPH

Senior Associate Scientist
Study Management

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Emanuela Mesesan, BS

Assistant Scientist
Study Management

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Bijion Cooke, BS

Assistant Scientist
Study Management

Headshot of researcher Aliyah Green, BS, long black hair, white blouse.

Aliyah Green, BS

Assistant Scientist
Study Management

close-up portrait of Cari Lichtman, MPH, MS - Director, Biospecimen Management

Cari Lichtman, MPH, MS

Senior Director
Biospecimen Management

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Elizabeth Bain, MPH

Senior Scientist
Biospecimen Management

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Darcy Millard, BS

Senior Associate Scientist
Biospecimen Management

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Candis Seals, BS

Assistant Scientist
Biospecimen Management

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Jasmine Southivongnorath, MPH

Associate Scientist I
Biospecimen Management

Holly Vins, MPH

Scientist
Biospecimen Management

Sadaf Bhai, MPH

Associate Scientist I
Biospecimen Management

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Nick Weaver, MPH

Associate Scientist I
Biospecimen Management

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Lauren R. Teras, PhD

Senior Scientific Director
Epidemiology Research

headshot of researcher Anita Peoples, PhD, MPH

Anita Peoples, PhD, MPH

Senior Principal Scientist
Cancer Survivorship & Epidemiology Research

Headshot of postdoctoral fellow Ruiqi Jin, PhD, in a blue-gray blazer, white blouse, and silver earrings

Ruiqi Jin, PhD

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Population Science

close up portrait of W. Ryan Diver, MSPH Director, Epidemiology Data Analysis Core

W. Ryan Diver, MSPH

Senior Director
Data Analysis

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Adriana Lori, PhD

Senior Associate Scientist
Molecular Epidemiology

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Emily Deubler, MSPH

Scientist
Data Analysis

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Olivia Anike, MPH

Associate Scientist I
Data Analysis

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Christina C. Newton, MSPH

Scientist
Data Analysis

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Sicha Chantaprasopsuk , MPH

Associate Scientist II
Data Analysis

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Ellen L. Mitchell, MPH

Associate Scientist
Data Analysis

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Kierstin Faw, MPH

Associate Scientist I
Data Analysis

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James Hodge, JD, MPH

Scientist
Data Analysis

Headshot of researcher Anuj Nanavati, MPH in a blue button-down shirt, black ear piercings, and black eyeglasses.

Anuj Nanavati, MPH

Associate Scientist I
Data Analysis

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Matthew Masters, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Data Analysis

Headshot of Cassandra York, MPH

Cassandra York, MPH

Associate Scientist I
Data Analysis

Headshot of Kara Beck in a white and blue blouse and black blazer.

Kara Beck, MS

Associate Scientist I
Data Analysis

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Emanuela Mesesan, BS

Assistant Scientist, MPH
Study Management 

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Clara Bodelon, PhD, MS

Senior Principal Scientist
Survivorship Research

Headshot of postdoctoral fellow, Shamim Shahi, PhD, MS

Shamim Shahi, PhD, MS

Postdoctoral Fellow
Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention, & Survivorship

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Erika Rees-Punia, PhD, MPH

Senior Principal Scientist
Epidemiology and Behavioral Research

Charlie Zhong, PhD, MPH

Charlie Zhong, PhD, MPH

Principal Scientist
Epidemiology and Behavioral Research

Headshot of Lauren Bates-Fraser, PhD

Lauren Bates-Fraser, PhD

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Population Science

Headshot of post-doctoral fellow Kathryn Chiang, PhD, MPH, in a white blouse and gold earrings

Kathryn Chiang, PhD, MPH

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Population Science

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Lauren McCullough, PhD, MSPH

Visiting Scientific Director
Population Science

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Ying Wang, PhD

Senior Principal Scientist
Epidemiology Research

Valeria Elahy, PhD

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention, & Survivorship

Headshot of postdoctoral fellow Brigitte Pfluger in a teal sweater

Brigitte Pfluger, PhD

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Population Science

close up portrait of Caroline Um

Caroline Um, PhD, MPH, RD

Principal Scientist
Epidemiology Research

Headshot of Marissa Shams-White, PhD, MSTOM, MS, MPH

Marissa Shams-White, PhD, MSTOM, MS, MPH

Senior Principal Scientist
Population Science

Headshot of Kelly Cara, PhD

Kelly Cara, PhD

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Population Science

About Surveillance & Health Equity Science
close up portrait of Ahmedin Jemal, DVM, PhD, Scientific Vice President, Surveillance and Health Services Research ACS

Ahmedin Jemal, DVM, PhD

Senior Vice President
Surveillance & Health Equity Science

close up portrait of Rebecca L. Siegel, MPH Scientific Director, Surveillance Research, ACS

Rebecca L. Siegel, MPH

Senior Scientific Director
Cancer Surveillance Research

Nikita Sandeep Wagle, PhD, MBBS, MHA

Principal Scientist
Cancer Surveillance Research

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Angela Giaquinto, MSPH

Associate Scientist II
Cancer Surveillance Research

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Tyler Kratzer, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Cancer Surveillance Research

Headshot of researcher Anatu Saka, MPH. Red blouse, shoulder length black hair, studded earrings.

Anatu Saka, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Cancer Surveillance Research

Hyuna Sung, PhD

Senior Principal Scientist
Cancer Surveillance Research

Headshot of Kieran Kelly, MPH, in a dark blue blazer, light blue shirt, and blue tie with red dots

Kieran Kelly, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Cancer Surveillance Research

Headshot of Chenxi Jiang, MPH

Chenxi Jiang, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Surveillance & Health Equity Science

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Elizabeth Schafer, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Surveillance & Health Equity Science

Priti Bandi, PhD

Scientific Director
Cancer Risk Factors & Screening Surveillance

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Jessica Star, MA, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Cancer Risk Factors & Screening Surveillance

Headshot of Natalia Mazzitelli, MPH, in a light gray shirt and a dark gray blazer

Natalia Mazzitelli, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Cancer Risk Factors & Screening Surveillance

close up portrait of Farhad Islami Gomeshtapeh, MD, PhD Scientific Director, Surveillance Research ACS

Farhad Islami, MD, PhD

Senior Scientific Director
Cancer Disparity Research

Daniel Wiese, PhD

Principal Scientist
Cancer Disparity Research

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Jordan Baeker Bispo, PhD, MPH

Principal Scientist
Cancer Disparity Research

Hyunjung Lee, PhD

Principal Scientist
Cancer Disparity Research

headshot of Parichoy Pal Choudhury, PhD

Parichoy Pal Choudhury, PhD

Principal Scientist
Biostatistics

Headshot of associate scientist Dongjun Lee, MS

Dongjun Lee, MS

Associate Scientist II
Cancer Disparity Research

Headshot of Qinran Liu, PhD, MPH; long black hair, stud earrings, black sleeveless top.

Qinran Liu, PhD, MPH

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Cancer Disparity Research

Robin Yabroff, PhD, MBA

Scientific Vice President
Health Services Research

close up portrait of Xuesong Han, PhD Strategic Director, Health Policy & Healthcare Delivery Research

Xuesong Han, PhD

Scientific Director
Health Services Research

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Leticia Nogueira, PhD, MPH

Scientific Director
Health Services Research

close up portrait of Zhiyuan Zheng, PhD Director, Economics & Healthcare Delivery Research

Zhiyuan (Jason) Zheng, PhD

Senior Principal Scientist
Health Services Research

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Qinjin Fan, PhD

Senior Scientist
Health Services Research

Jingxuan Zhao, PhD, MPH

Senior Scientist
Health Services Research

Rand Sakka, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Health Services Research

Asian woman with fluffy brown hair, white scoop neck top

Kewei (Sylvia) Shi, MPH

Associate Scientist II
Health Services Research

Asian woman, long-dark brown hair, white earring, black sleeveless top

Nova Yang, MSPH

Associate Scientist
Health Services Research

Headshot of Margaret Katana, PhD, MPH, MA

Margaret Katana Ogongo, PhD, MPH, MA

Postdoctoral Fellow
Health Services Research

Headshot of Shu Liu, PhD

Shu Liu, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow
Health Services Research

Nigar Nargis, PhD

Senior Scientific Director
Tobacco Control Research

close-up portrait of Lee Westmaas, PhD - Director, Tobacco Control Research, Behavioral Research Center

J. Lee Westmaas, PhD

Scientific Director
Tobacco Control Research

Woman, med brown skin tone, long black hair, black blazer, maroon blouse, 3-circle necklace

Minal Patel, PhD, MPH

Senior Principal Scientist
Tobacco Control Research

Male, short black hair, dark gray blazer, black button-down shirt with orange circle pattern, dark gray background

Tyler Nighbor, PhD

Principal Scientist
Tobacco Control Research

Young Black man with moustache and goatee, purple shirt, and dark suit jacket

Samuel Asare, PhD

Principal Scientist
Tobacco Control Research

young Asian woman with long brown hair, white collar, and champagne pearl earrings

Zheng (Ashley) Xue, MSPH

Senior Associate Scientist
Tobacco Control Research

Shanshan Wang, MPH

Associate Scientist
Tobacco Control Research

Photo of Eva Orr, MPH, long brown hair, glasses

Eva Orr, MPH

Associate Scientist
Tobacco Control Research

Headshot of Breanna McKinnon, MHA, MBA

Breanna McKinnon, MHA, MBA

Program Manager
Surveillance & Health Equity Science

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