Special Interest Groups & Committees

Special Interest Groups

The American Society of Preventive Oncology has eight Special Interest Groups (SIGs) which focus on key areas of cancer prevention and control research. SIGs host regular webinars, collaborate on research and innovations in their focus area, and use email, Slack, and social media to exchange ideas.

Members can join SIGs when they join ASPO, when they renew their memberships, or by emailing the National Office.

Interested in being a SIG Leader? Email the National Office to express interest.

Behavioral Science and Health Communication

To understand human behavioral processes using multidisciplinary theories and methods to inform the development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of effective cancer prevention and control efforts. Additionally, this SIG supports cancer communication research in media, clinical, and public health contexts. 

Chair: Karen Yeary, PhD      Vice Chair: Carolyn Heckman, PhD

Molecular Epidemiology & The Environment

The role of genetics, epigenetics, tumor markers, metabolomics, environmental factors, and individual behaviors and their interplay in cancer prevention, etiology, progression, and outcomes of individuals and populations.

Chair: Humberto Parada, PhD, MPH

Lifestyle and Preventive Interventions

The role of tobacco, nutrition, physical activity, and energy imbalance in cancer causation, progression, and outcomes. It also considers the potential benefits, harms, and risks associated with dietary interventions, exercise regimens, smoking cessation, and chemopreventive agents in reducing cancer risks in the general population or high-risk subsets.

Chair: Adriana Coletta, PhD, MS, RD     Co-chair: Lin Yang

Cancer Survivorship

Examining the physical, psychological, social and economic effects of cancer among patients and their families; and the outcomes of particular cancer care practices and interventions, including quality of life as well as mortality. This SIG also brings together scientists seeking to inform clinical decisions by providing evidence on the effectiveness, costs, benefits and harms of different survivorship care options.

Chair: Erin Mobley, PhD, MPH    Co-Chair: Kimberly Miller, PhD

Cancer Health Disparities

Examining the causes of disparities in cancer risk factors and outcomes among population groups. This SIG is also committed to developing and evaluating interventions to reduce and eliminate the unequal burden of cancer.

Chair: Arnethea Sutton, PhD      Vice Chair: Bonnie Qin, PhD

Early Detection and Risk Prediction of Cancer

Research in screening modalities to enhance the early detection of cancer through imaging, cytology, blood biomarkers, and endoscopy. This SIG also brings together scientists studying the overall population effectiveness of screening through research on optimal timing and frequency of population-based screening. This SIG is also committed to evaluating new technologies within the context of existing methods through comparing overall effectiveness, coverage, and impact on subsequent diagnosis and treatment. Research also focuses on the use of risk models and other methods to risk stratify to enhance screening efforts.

Chair: Andrea Burnett Hartman, PhD, MP  Vice-Chair: Rasmi Nair, MBBS, PhD

Early Career

To bring together junior faculty and pre and postdoctoral fellows focusing on careers in cancer prevention. The purpose of the SIG is to provide educational sessions focused on career development including topics on grant writing and peer review, research and service, finding a job, and developing collaborations and research teams.  The SIG sponsors lunches and workshops and networking opportunities.

Chair: Saira Khan, PhD, MPH    Vice-Chair: Justin Moore, PhD, MPH

Global Cancer Research

To foster scientific collaborations on global cancer research among ASPO members, and develop connections with US and non-U.S. based researchers to facilitate innovative cancer research projects in international settings. To contribute to the dissemination and implementation of global cancer prevention strategies, and to serve as a resource for ASPO members on global cancer research. To provide guidance to ASPO’s Executive Committee and its SIGs as necessary to better inform discussions related to cancer research in international settings. To support the overall mission of ASPO by supporting the continuous professional development of members involved in global cancer prevention and control, and to facilitate the exchange and translation of scientific information to reduce the cancer burden globally.

Chair: Kelly Kohler, PhD, MSPH

Mid Career

The goal of the Mid-Career SIG is to develop and connect ASPO members with information, resources, and support to help them thrive personally and professionally at mid-career. Potential topics include building and maintaining a research portfolio, managing teams, navigating administrative roles, and working in a way that is sustainable long term. We welcome volunteers and suggestions for additional resources and content.


Chair: Theresa Hastert, MPP

Committees

Mentoring Committee

This committee will play a vital role in shaping and supporting our mentoring initiatives—connecting professionals at all stages of their careers, fostering growth, and building a strong, engaged community.

Chair: Allison Burton-Chase

New Investigator Workshop Committee

The ASPO New Investigator Workshop (NIW) Committee manages the 1) review of applications for the NIW, 2) selection of the participants, and 3) provision of the workshop at each annual meeting.

Chair: Adetunji Toriola

50th Anniversary Committee

The 50th Anniversary Committee is responsible for planning and coordinating the 50th Annual Meeting, ensuring a memorable and impactful celebration of the organization’s milestone anniversary.

Chair: Karen Basen-Engquist

Program Committee

The Program Committee organizes and develops the scientific and educational content for the Annual Meeting, shaping the agenda to reflect the latest research and priorities in the field.

Co-Chair: Dejana Braithwaite   Co-Chair: Anne Kirchhoff

Awards Committee

The ASPO Awards Committee manages the nomination and selection process for the following: 1) Joseph Cullen Award in Tobacco Research, 2) Joseph F. Fraumeni Jr. Distinguished Achievement Award, 3) Travel Awards for Community and Patient Advocates, 4) Travel Awards for top-rated abstracts, and 5) SIG session comped speakers.

Chair: Marvin Langston

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee is responsible for nominating and vetting candidates for ASPO leadership service. 

Chair: Lorna McNeill