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Areas of Focus

Breast cancer is a complex disease…

with no simple solution. That’s why our researchers are investigating it from every angle. Learn more about our areas of focus and why each one is critical to stopping cancer from the start, slowing its progress, and one day preventing it altogether.

Heredity & Ethnicity

Most people who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease, but we know that’s not always the case. A person’s family history, inheritance, race and ethnicity are all important risk factors that have long been part of our research agenda. Our scientists have been behind major breakthroughs in this area, including discovering the role BRCA1 and BRCA2 play in breast cancer and uncovering the genetic link to more aggressive forms of the disease in women of African descent. The more progress our researchers make, the better doctors are able to predict who is at risk and what can be done to prevent cancer’s onset.

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Heredity & Ethnicity Researchers

Melissa Troester, PhD, MPH

Titles and Affiliations Professor, Epidemiology and Pathology & Lab Medicine Director, Center for Environmental...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Celeste Leigh Pearce, PhD, MPH

Titles and Affiliations Professor, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health Rogel Scholar and...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Julie Palmer, ScD

Titles and Affiliations Karin Grunebaum Professor in Cancer Research, Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine Director,...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Terry Hyslop, PhD

Titles and Affiliations Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Director, Center for...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Veronica Jones, MD, FACS

Titles and Affiliations Assistant Professor, Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery and Division...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Priscila Barreto Coelho, MD

Titles and Affiliations Chief Fellow, Hematology and Oncology Conquer Cancer – The ASCO Foundation...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Jeffrey Weitzel, MD

Titles and Affiliations Director, Division of Precision Prevention Department of Internal Medicine Research area...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Neha Goel, MD

Titles and Affiliations Associate Professor of Surgery John K. and Judy H. Schulte Junior...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Carmen Guerra, MD MSCE FACP

Titles and Affiliations Ruth C. & Raymond G. Perelman Professor of Medicine Perelman School...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

Oluwadamilola (Lola) Fayanju, MD

Titles and Affiliations The Helen O. Dickens Presidential Associate Professor Chief, Division of Breast...

BCRF Investigator Since

2023

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