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.
Program Objectives
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.
How to Apply
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 Betina Yanez, PhD.
Program Directors
Program Assistant: Alma Diaz, 312-503-0452
Research Mentors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

David Victorson, PhD
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

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

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


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

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

Rinad Beidas, PhD
Professor and Chair, Medical Social Sciences
Implementation science and behavioral economics to improve the quality and equity of care and enhance health outcomes

Lauren Beach, PhD
Assistant Professor, Medical Social Sciences and Preventive Medicine
Epidemiology of aging and chronic physical health conditions

Emma Barber, MD
Chief of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
John and Ruth Brewer Professor of Gynecology and Cancer Research
Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology (Gynecologic Oncology)

Daniela Matei, MD
Chief of Reproductive Science in Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Diana, Princess of Wales Professor of Cancer Research
Professor, Medicine (Hematology and Oncology), Obstetrics and Gynecology (Gynecologic Oncology)