Expertise

I’m thrilled to announce that I am the newly appointed Director of the Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank (KTB), a tenured Professor at Indiana University in the Fairbanks School of Public Health, and a Scientific Member in the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.

My research focus is on genetic and molecular factors in female cancers that impact disease incidence or prognosis in underserved populations. Currently, I am PI of a NCI R01 to examine molecular alterations in high grade endometrial cancers and am actively engaged in analyzing data and biospecimens from African American women with benign breast disease (BBD) and subsequent invasive cancers. I have an extensive history of successful national and international research collaborations, in breast, endometrial, ovarian, and lung cancers. My expertise in the design and conduct of epidemiologic studies allows me to work across cancer types in multidisciplinary research teams.

In addition to my research I am deeply committed to career development and training, with particular focus on developing opportunities for underrepresented students in the biomedical sciences (1T32GM139807 and Komen GTDR, both MPI at Wayne State University). I have also served in various roles focused on the enhancement of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the department, school and university levels. Involvement in these activities allows me to collaborate across departments and to implement programs critical to support an environment of inclusive excellence.

Past Affiliations

Professor, Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University (past)

Professor, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University (past)

Associate Professor, Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University (past)

Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University (past)

Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wayne State University (past)

Associate Professor, Master of Public Health Program, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University (past)

Internal Medicine Residency Program, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wayne State University (past)

Communities
Oncology, Epidemiology
Degrees
PhD, University of Michigan, Epidemiologic Sciences, 2004
MPH, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Epidemiology, 1996
BS, University of Michigan, Biology, 1994
Keywords
cancer or carcinogenesis breast cancer epidemiology internal medicine
Associations
American Association of Cancer Research