Interdisciplinary Working Groups

DCEG scientists form collaborative working groups to enhance the exchange of information and support interdisciplinary approaches to epidemiological and genetic research. Working groups draw their members from across the Division and other organizations in NCI, enabling them to apply a wide range of expertise to the study of complex questions. Examples include:

• Breast Cancer – fosters the exchange of ideas and expertise among investigators from DCEG, NCI, and the extramural community to address important questions in breast cancer research through leveraging existing resources and identifying new research opportunities. Visit the breast cancer research page. Contact: Gretchen Gierach, Ph.D., M.P.H.
• Cancer Health Disparities ‒ addresses cancer health disparities in epidemiologic and genomic studies and promotes discovery of cancer determinants in diverse populations across ancestries, genders, and socioeconomic status. This group provides space for discussion of new ideas and promotes collaboration among researchers from different fields of expertise within DCEG as well as across NIH. Learn more about the Cancer Health Disparities Working Group. Contact Constanza Camargo, Ph.D. or Jiyeon Choi, Ph.D., M.S.
• Cancer Survivorship – provides opportunities for researchers to present proposed study ideas and current research findings, discuss methodology, and prioritize research areas related to the etiology of multiple primary cancers. Visit the Cancer Survivorship Research Unit page. Contacts: Lindsay Morton, Ph.D., Sara Schonfeld, Ph.D., Shahinaz Gadalla, M.D., Ph.D., and Jacqueline Vo, Ph.D., R.N., M.P.H.
• Data Science & Engineering Research – combines systems biology, computational statistics, artificial intelligence, and software engineering for biomedical applications to investigate epidemiologic and genetic causes of cancer and to advance Cloud Computing infrastructure for Precision Prevention. Visit the DCEG Data Science & Engineering working group page. Contact: Jonas S. Almeida, Ph.D.
• Descriptive Epidemiology – discusses novel methodology and data sources for descriptive studies, including cancer surveillance data, data linkage studies, claims databases and national survey data. In addition, this group identifies scientific gaps that can be addressed with descriptive studies, and fosters collaboration across DCEG branches and NCI divisions. Visit the descriptive epidemiology research page. Contact: Meredith Shiels, Ph.D.
• Early Life and Maternal Risk Factors – brings together researchers to accelerate progress in research related to perinatal, childhood, adolescent, and maternal factors in relation to either childhood or adult cancer. Contact: Cari Kitahara, Ph.D.
• Genetic Mosaicism – investigates the clonal expansion of mutated cells in normal tissue by studying risk factors and associated outcomes relevant to genetic mosaicism. Contact: Mitchell Machiela, Sc.D., M.P.H.
• Geographic Analysis – facilitates the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques to investigate causes of cancer. Visit the GIS research page. Contact: Rena Jones, Ph.D., M.S.
• Metabolomics – studies small-molecule metabolites as indicators of exposure and future cancer risk. Visit the metabolomics research page. Contact: Steven C. Moore, Ph.D.
• Microbiome – evaluates methods for application in large-scale microbiome studies and promotes etiologic studies of the human microbiota and cancer risk. Visit the human microbiome and cancer research page. Contact: Rashmi Sinha, Ph.D.
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – initiates, coordinates, and provides guidance to DCEG research on PFAS and cancer. Emphasis is placed on overcoming challenges to the research and initiating studies to address gaps in the science. Contact: Jonathan Hofmann, Ph.D., M.P.H.
• Risk Prediction – discussion of statistical methodologic issues in model building and validation, ongoing risk modeling activities, and applications of risk models to aid in clinical decision-making and in addressing public health questions. Contact: Ruth Pfeiffer, Ph.D.
• Susceptibility to Pediatric Cancer – fosters the exchange of ideas, discussion of research projects, and sharing of expertise among investigators throughout DCEG and NCI to address important topics and questions related to pediatric cancer susceptibility and identify new research opportunities. Contact: Lisa Mirabello, Ph.D., M.S.
• Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer – conducts studies of esophageal and gastric cancer in the U.S. and elsewhere. Learn more about the Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Working Group. Contact: Christian C. Abnet, Ph.D., M.P.H.