Division of Population Science

Funded Research

Priniciple Investigator: Veda Giri, MD

Funding Agency: Department of Defense (DOD)
Peer-Based Intervention for Genetic Evaluation for Prostate Cancer Among African American Men: the Peer Genetic Study
Performance Period: 9/30/2019-9/29/2021
Project Goals: Optimize community access to genetic counseling for PCA through remote delivery approaches and enhance prostate cancer genetic evaluation competency among community urologic providers.

Funding Agency: Prostate Cancer Foundation
Technology-enhanced AcceleRation of Germline Evaluation for Therapy - The TARGET study
Performance Period: 01/01/2020-12/31/2021
Project Goals: The TARGET study is a first-in-field study to address germline testing needs of providers, patients, and the population. Aim 1 is to conduct interviews with providers to identify needs and barriers to germline testing and perform user testing of a web-based tool. Aim 2 is to conduct a randomized trial of a patient-focused webtool vs. standard genetic counseling. Aim 3 is to conduct a landscape analysis of social media conversation regarding germline testing for prostate cancer and conduct a sponsored ad campaign as a strategy to disseminate information.

Funding Agency: Department of Defense (DOD)
Enhanced Genetic Awareness and Genetic Evaluation for Men Through Technology – the ENGAGEMENT Study
Performance Period: 9/30/2020-9/29/2022
Project Goals: The study will: (1) develop a novel virtual genetics board for providers engaged in prostate cancer genetic testing to address knowledge and practice gaps by case-based learning (Aim 1), (2) leverage web-based registry capacity to uncover men’s experience with genetic testing to inform patient-centered practice (Aim 2), and (3) develop and assess the first prostate cancer genetics podcast series to raise public awareness (Aim 3).

(Lee/Sanghavi)
Funding Agency: NIH through The Jackson Laboratory
Ethical, Legal, Social, and Policy Implications of Workplace Genomic Testing
Performance Period: 07/01/2020—06/30/2024
Project Goals: Evaluate employee perspectives on the experience of undergoing genomic testing, as well as the psychological and behavioral impact of learning test results

Funding Agency: Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC
Philadelphia Precision Prostate Project (Philly 4-ward) Provider Education Toolkit
Performance Period: 01/29/2019—12/31/2020
Project Goals: Develop a genetic education toolkit for providers of care for men with prostate cancer

Funder: NIH
5/1/18-4/31/23
Cancer Research and Education – the CARE program
The goals of the CARE program include: (1) implement a unique translational summer internship focused in cancer research and education, (2) provide minority high school and college students first-hand insight into disparities related to cancer care, (3) provide long-term mentorship to students for success in college, postgraduate education, and career development, and (4) track students long-term for careers in the biomedical sciences and cancer research.

Co-Principle Investigator: Hee-Soon Juon, PhD (Sub)
Funder: NIH (R01MD012778-01A1)
9/26/17-6/30/22
Culturally Adapted Multilevel Decision Support Navigation Trial to Reduce Colorectal Cancer Disparity among At-Risk Asian American Primary Care Patients
The overall aim is to determine the impact of a culturally adapted multi-level SDM intervention on CRC screening adherence among Asian American patients aged 50 to 75 eligible for CRC screening by conducting RCT.


Principle Investigator: Kane
(Hee Soon Juon, PhD Role: Investigator)

2/1/2018-1/31/2022
Funder: Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF)
Engaging a learning community to increase lung cancer screening in vulnerable populations.
The overall aim is to build on the foundation by engaging patients, providers, and other stakeholders to raise lung cancer screening rates and ensure follow-up care and treatment with each individuals and populations at risk.


Principle Investigator: Kuang-Yi Wen, PhD
(Hee-Soon Juon, PhD Role: Investigator)

9/1/2020-8/31/2021
NIH/NCI (P30 supplements)
SKCC Tobacco Cessation Treatment Program
The aims of this project include: 1) Systematically develop and implement a Tobacco Cessation Treatment Program (TCTP) within SKCC; and 2) comprehensively evaluate TCTP’s Reach and Engagement with a qualitative study.


Prinicple Investigator: Kane/Co-Investigator: Ronald E. Myers, PhD, DWS

Funder: Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation
02/01/18-1/31/22
Engaging a Learning Community to Increase Lung Cancer Screening in Vulnerable Populations
This project is designed to: 1) Engage a learning community of Jefferson Health patients, providers, community partners, and other stakeholders in developing a model lung cancer screening program that is literacy-appropriate and culturally relevant for individuals from vulnerable populations; 2) Adapt and implement the model screening program in Jefferson Health primary and specialty care practices and with vulnerable patients at increased risk for developing lung cancer; and, 3) Aim 3: Evaluate screening program implementation processes, assess program outcomes, and disseminate findings across the Jefferson enterprise and beyond.

Principle Investigator: Ronald E. Myers, PhD, DSW
Funder: DOH
9/5/19-8/31/23
Improving utilization of lung cancer screening in underserved PA populations-CURE
The goals of the lung cancer screening include: (1) utilization of Lung cancer screening (2) Intervention (3) Prevention-Detection (4) screening for underserved PA populations


Prinicple Investigator: Ling-Xi Liu, MD, PhD

Funder: ACS Research Scholar
7/1/16-6/30/21
Chromium-mediated signaling pathways in carcinogenesis
The major goals are to study the role and molecular mechanism of cytokines and miRNAs in long-term chromium exposure-induced carcinogenesis and pulmonary diseases.

Funder: NIH/NIEHS K02-1K02ES029119-01
4/1/18-3/31/23
New mechanism of arsenic carcinogenesis.
The major goals are to determine the role of mechanism of PKM2 signaling in arsenic-induced carcinogenesis and metabolism.

Multiple PIs: Ling-Zhi Liu, MD, PhD (Contact PI: Dr. Bing-Hau Jiang)
Funder: NIH/NCI R01 CA232587-01
7/1/18-6/30/23
Mechanism of lung cancer resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor and radiation treatments.
The major goals are to determine the role and mechanism of ROS and p70S6K1 signaling in EGFR-TRIs resistance and radioresistance in lung cancer.


Principle Investigator: Grace Lu-Yao, PhD, MD
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Health (SAP# 4100077067)
7/1/17-12/31/20
The Effects of Comorbidity and Concurrent Medication Use on Health Outcomes
This project is to assess the impact of comorbidities and co-medications on the health outcomes of cancer patients.

Funder-NIH/NCI P20
09/1/18-8/31/21
Precision of Aggressive Prostate Cancer in African American Men
Project 2 co-leader and Development Research Program leader at Thomas Jefferson University.
This proposal will focus on newly diagnosed or recurrent AA PCa patients, with the goal to develop and implement tools that can intercept the development of castrate-resistant or metastatic Prostate Cancer and death from Prostate Cancer in African American men.

Funder-NIH/NCI 5-P30-CA056036-19
7/15/97 - 5/31/23
Translational Research in Cancer (Senior Leadership)
Dr. Lu Yao is part of the Senior Leadership Team at the NCI designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Health (SAP# 4100077067)
7/1/17-12/31/20
The Effects of Comorbidity and Concurrent Medication Use on Health Outcomes
This project is to assess the impact of comorbidities and co-medications on the health outcomes of cancer patients.

Funder-NIH/NCI P20
09/1/18-8/31/21
Precision of Aggressive Prostate Cancer in African American Men
Project 2 co-leader and Development Research Program leader at Thomas Jefferson University.
This proposal will focus on newly diagnosed or recurrent AA PCa patients, with the goal to develop and implement tools that can intercept the development of castrate-resistant or metastatic Prostate Cancer and death from Prostate Cancer in African American men.

Funder-NIH/NCI 5-P30-CA056036-19
7/15/97 - 5/31/23
Translational Research in Cancer (Senior Leadership)

Dr. Lu Yao is part of the Senior Leadership Team at the NCI designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
Co-PIs: Myers, Juon, Zeigler-Johnson
Funder: Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation
02/01/2018-01/31/2022
Engaging a Learning Community to Increase Lung Cancer Screening in Vulnerable Populations
The goal of this project is to use a learning community approach to increase population knowledge about lung cancer, reduce the stigma around lung cancer, and connect individuals at high risk for lung cancer with lung cancer screening programs.


Prinicple Investigator: Hushan Yang, PhD
Funder: NIH (R01CA207468)
8/15/17-7/31/22
A population-based approach to single CTC analysis in metastatic breast cancer
The goal of this study is conduct single-cell genomic analysis of CTCs as liquid biopsy markers of clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic breast cancer.