Cancer Prevention & Control
The Behavioral and Psychosocial Research Training Program in Cancer Prevention and Control is an NCI-funded T32 postdoctoral program that will equip participants to work at the interface between behavioral and social science, technology, clinical oncology and cancer biology.
Now Accepting applications for 2021 (PDF)
The program will provide an immersion in the following, as applied to cancer prevention, control and survivorship:
- The fundamentals of cancer biology and clinical oncology
- Theory-based, technology-supported behavioral interventions
- Outcomes science and measurement
- Novel research designs using multiphase optimization strategy (MOST)
- Community engagement strategies
The two-year training program will consist of research, educational and career development components and will prepare participants for academic and related careers. Participants will have the opportunity to enroll in one of four relevant master’s degree programs: an MPH, an MS in Clinical Investigation, an MS in Health Sciences and Outcomes Research or an MS in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Qualified doctorates and clinicians are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Please send cover letter, CV, statement describing research interests and experience and at least one letter of recommendation to Bonnie Spring, PhD.
Program Director for Cancer Prevention: Bonnie Spring, PhD
Program Director for Cancer Control and Survivorship: Betina Yanez, PhD
Program Assistant: Frank Granata IV, MS, 312-503-0944
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Research Mentors

Karl Bilimoria, MD
Assistant Professor, Surgery
Assessment of surgical outcomes, quality of cancer care

Kenzie Cameron, PhD, MPH
Research Associate Professor, Medicine
Communication-based health interventions

David Cella, PhD
Professor and Chair, Medical Social Sciences
Outcomes and measurement sciences, quality of life (QOL) assessments, health disparities

Sofia Garcia, PhD
Assistant Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Assessment and management of post-treatment symptoms, health literacy

Elizabeth Hahn, MA
Associate Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Health literacy, health disparities, health information technologies

Elizabeth A. Hibler, PhD
Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention)

Brian Hitsman, PhD
Assistant Professor, Preventive Medicine
Causes and treatments of tobacco dependence

Lifang Hou, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Preventive Medicine
Molecular markers of cancer risk and environmental exposure


Namratha Kandula, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics) and Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology)
Targeting cancer health disparities through interdisciplinary research methods

Kiarri N Kershaw, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology)
Cancer Social Epidemiology

Seema Khan, MD
Professor, Surgery
Cancer prevention clinical trials, breast cancer prevention strategies

Abel N. Kho, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics) and Preventive Medicine (Health and Biomedical Informatics)
Genomics and Medical Informatics

Jin-Shei Lai, PhD
Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Psychometrics, health-related QOL assessments

David Mohr, PhD
Professor, Preventive Medicine
Behavior intervention technologies, psychosocial distress in cancer patients

Judy Moskowitz, PhD
Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Adaptive role of positive emotion regulation

Adam B. Murphy, MD
Assistant Professor of Urology and Preventive Medicine (Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention)

Jason C. Ong, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology (Sleep Medicine), Medical Social Sciences, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Angela Pfammatter, PhD
Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine (Behavioral Medicine)
Multiple Health Behavior Change for Chronic Disease Prevention

Siobhan M Phillips, PhD, MPH
Assosiate Professor, Preventive Medicine
Physical activity interventions in cancer survivors

Christine M Rini, PhD
Director, Cancer Survivorship Institute
Professor of Medical Social Sciences


Juned Siddique, DrPH
Associate Professor, Preventive Medicine
Measurement error in diet and activity interventions

Melissa Simon, MD
Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Cancer health disparities, community-based participatory research

Bonnie Spring, PhD
Professor, Preventive Medicine
Theory-based technology-supported interventions to alter cancer risk behaviors

Linda Van Horn, PhD
Professor, Preventive Medicine
Nutritional assessments, dietary interventions

David Victorson, PhD
Associate Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Psychosocial, bio-behavioral and mind-body approaches to improve QOL in cancer patients

Michael Wolf, PhD
Professor, Medicine
Health impairments due to low literacy, remedial strategies

Betina R Yanez, PhD
Associate Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Patient-centered precision oncology