Robert A. Hiatt, MD, PhD, will discuss the complex environmental determinants of breast cancer etiology at the Distinguished Lecture Series seminar on Thursday, May 16, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the College of Medicine’s Moss Auditorium (Room 1020), 909 S. Wolcott Ave. Hiatt is professor of epidemiology and biostatistics and associate director of population sciences at Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco. All University of Illinois Cancer Center members are encouraged to attend.
Throughout his career, Hiatt has primarily focused on cancer epidemiology and studies of cancer etiology, early development, the environment and social determinants. His interest lies in understanding the fundamental causes of health disparities and seeking a basis for interventions to modulate their adverse effects on disadvantaged populations. He takes a transdisciplinary approach to research across many areas of expertise – from genetics to the built environment. He has been committed to the study of population health and disparities using transdisciplinary science since his time at the National Cancer Institute, when he was its first deputy director of the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences.
Hiatt’s disciplinary background in medicine and epidemiology has been expanded over the years by additional experience in cancer research in areas as diverse as genetic epidemiology, behavioral science, health services and outcomes research and cancer surveillance. Hiatt is past president of the American Society of Preventive Oncology and the American College of Epidemiology and is currently a member of the Board of Environmental Sciences and Toxicology at the National Academy of Science.
A reception will be held immediately following Hiatt’s presentation.