Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
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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.

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.

Now Accepting Applications for 2024

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:

David Cella, PhD

Betina Yanez, PhD

Brian Hitsman, PhD

Program Assistant: Alma Diaz, 312-503-0452

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Meet our current trainees

Research Mentors

David Cella, PhD

David Cella, PhD

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

Betina R Yanez, PhD

Betina R Yanez, PhD

Associate Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Patient-centered precision oncology

Brian Hitsman, PhD

Brian Hitsman, PhD

Associate Professor, Preventive Medicine
Causes and treatments of tobacco dependence

Kenzie Cameron, PhD, MPH

Kenzie Cameron, PhD, MPH

Professor, Medicine
Communication-based health interventions

Sofia Garcia, PhD

Sofia Garcia, PhD

Associate Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Assessment and management of post-treatment symptoms, health literacy

Lifang Hou, MD, PhD

Lifang Hou, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Preventive Medicine
Molecular markers of cancer risk and environmental exposure

Seema Khan, MD

Seema Khan, MD

Professor, Surgery
Cancer prevention clinical trials, breast cancer prevention strategies

Jin-Shei Lai, PhD

Jin-Shei Lai, PhD

Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Psychometrics, health-related QOL assessments

David Mohr, PhD

David Mohr, PhD

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

Judy Moskowitz, PhD

Judy Moskowitz, PhD

Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Adaptive role of positive emotion regulation

Siobhan M Phillips, PhD, MPH

Siobhan M Phillips, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor, Preventive Medicine
Physical activity interventions in cancer survivors

Juned Siddique, DrPH

Juned Siddique, DrPH

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

Melissa Simon, MD

Melissa Simon, MD

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

Linda Van Horn, PhD

Linda Van Horn, PhD

Professor, Preventive Medicine
Nutritional assessments, dietary interventions

David Victorson, PhD

David Victorson, PhD

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

Michael Wolf, PhD

Michael Wolf, PhD

Professor, Medicine
Health impairments due to low literacy, remedial strategies

Abel N. Kho, MD

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

Kiarri N Kershaw, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology)
Cancer Social Epidemiology

Christine M Rini, PhD

Christine M Rini, PhD

Director, Cancer Survivorship Institute
Professor of Medical Social Sciences 

Courtney Scherr, PhD

Courtney Scherr, PhD

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies 

Elizabeth A. Hibler, PhD

Elizabeth A. Hibler, PhD

Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention) 

Karen Ann Kaiser, PhD

Karen Ann Kaiser, PhD

Research Associate Professor of Medical Social Sciences 

Adam B. Murphy, MD

Adam B. Murphy, MD

Assistant Professor of Urology and Preventive Medicine (Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention) 

Namratha Kandula, MD, MPH

Namratha Kandula, MD, MPH

Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics) and Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology)
Targeting cancer health disparities through interdisciplinary research methods

John (Devin) Peipert, PhD

John (Devin) Peipert, PhD

Assistant Professor, Medical Social Sciences
Patient reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical monitoring to optimize patient management

Rinad Beidas, PhD

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

Lauren Beach, PhD

Associate Professor, Medical Social Sciences and Preventive Medicine
Epidemiology of aging and chronic physical health conditions