Division of Population Science

Welcome to the Division of Population Science. As part of the Department of Medical Oncology and meaningfully connected to the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC) at Thomas Jefferson University, the Division advances cancer prevention and control across the full continuum—from risk assessment and prevention through screening, treatment, and survivorship. Established in 2008 to strengthen SKCCC’s capacity in behavioral, social, and epidemiologic research, the Division continues to support the Cancer Center’s mission by improving cancer outcomes for the communities served by Jefferson Health while contributing to the academic and educational mission of Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

Our faculty conduct research across the cancer continuum, bringing expertise in behavioral science, epidemiology, geroscience, integrative oncology, and community-informed research approaches. Their work focuses on understanding how social, behavioral, biological, and structural factors interact to influence cancer risk, care experiences, and outcomes, reflecting the interdisciplinary perspective that defines the Division. Faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for advancing population science through competitive extramural funding, publication in leading peer-reviewed journals, and participation in guideline development and scientific working groups that shape cancer prevention and control. This strong scientific foundation supports the design, testing, and implementation of interventions that enhance prevention, improve treatment experiences, and promote healthier survivorship across diverse populations.

The Division’s work is deeply informed by its catchment area, one of the most racially diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged regions in the nation. Variation in neighborhood contexts, access to care, social needs, and cancer outcomes highlights the importance of research that is rigorous, community-engaged, and responsive to the lived experiences of patients and caregivers. For students and trainees, this environment offers exceptional opportunities to engage in research that is both scientifically meaningful and directly relevant to reducing cancer disparities.

Jefferson Health’s enterprise wide reach further strengthens the Division’s educational and research mission. Serving patients across urban, suburban, and rural settings, the health system provides a rich platform for studying cancer outcomes in real-world clinical environments. This alignment enables faculty, trainees, and collaborators to integrate multilevel data with patient, caregiver, and community perspectives, supporting the development of scalable interventions across prevention, early detection, care delivery, and survivorship.

The Division is entering a period of strategic growth, with ongoing expansion of faculty, enhancement of data and research infrastructure, and deeper integration with SKCCC, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, and Jefferson Health. Our research ecosystem, anchored by an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, a diverse academic health system, and a strong culture of community partnership, offers an exceptional training and collaborative environment for advancing population-based cancer research and translating evidence into practice.

We welcome faculty, students, trainees, and collaborators who share a commitment to improving cancer outcomes through population science. Thank you for visiting, and we invite you to explore our work and consider joining us as we educate the next generation of scientists and shape a future where cancer prevention is stronger, detection is earlier, care is more person centered, and survivorship is healthier, at Jefferson and beyond.

Hoda Badr, PhD

J Ewing Mears Endowed Professor
Division Director