Program Co-leaders:
The Population Science (PS) Program of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) conducts multidisciplinary research to identify determinants of cancer etiology, cancer-related behaviors, and cancer outcomes and translate basic discoveries into behavioral cancer prevention and control interventions. PS members have made key contributions to molecular epidemiology and risk assessment, cancer communication, implementation science, and cancer survivorship that have impacted cancer in the catchment area and beyond. The program has unique strengths and a significant emphasis on reducing cancer disparities by working directly with populations in the UMGCCC catchment area. The PS program has three aims:
- Epidemiology of infection- & hormone-related cancers — To identify the molecular, genetic, and lifestyle determinants of infection- and hormone-related cancers in the United States and globally.
- Equity in cancer prevention & early detection — To identify psychosocial influences on cancer-related health behaviors and develop and evaluate interventions to foster recommended cancer-related behaviors, especially among underserved populations.
- Cancer outcomes — To identify mechanisms of cancer treatment–related pain and to characterize individual, treatment, and community level influences on disparities in cancer outcomes.
The Population Science Program bridges researchers from the Baltimore and College Park campuses of the University of Maryland, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Morgan State University, and furthers the mission of UMGCCC.