Mark your calendar
Program Meeting
Fourth Monday of every month | 3-4:30 p.m. | CGRC-133 & Zoom ResearchDevelopment@cancer.ufl.edu
Mission
The goal of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences (CCPS) research program is to reduce the cancer burden in the UF Health Cancer Center's catchment area and beyond.

The catchment area is characterized by disproportionately higher cancer incidence and mortality rates than other regions in Florida. These disparities are evident in medically underserved populations, which include rural populations (16 out of 23 counties are rural), more than a quarter of racial/ethnic minority residents (26% underrepresented minorities, 16% of which are non-Hispanic Black and 10% Hispanic), and just under a quarter of older adults 65 years and older (23% in the catchment area versus 16.5% nationwide).
These hallmarks of the catchment area inform program science, which is unified by five CCPS priorities: 1) social determinants and cancer disparities; 2) smoking and other tobacco use; 3) molecular and imaging markers for screening and early detection; 4) obesity, energy balance and cancer; and 5) the intersection of cancer and aging. To capture the research strengths at UF, CCPS features 48 members from 20 departments and 10 of the 16 UF colleges (Liberal Arts and Sciences, Agricultural & Life Sciences, Engineering, Journalism & Communications, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Health & Human Performance, Nursing, and Public Health & Health Professions).
CCPS research has expanded in the areas of cancer etiology, survivorship, aging and implementation science; addressed the needs of the catchment area and UF Health Cancer Center priority cancers (e.g., lung, breast, colorectal, HPV-related cancers); and impacted state policy, clinical practice and national guidelines. Collaborations with the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement have led to new funding and impactful publications. CCPS programmatic aims reflect the goal to translate observational discovery science into interventions and larger-scale dissemination and implementation. New extramural funding includes one team science grant (U01), 9 R01s, and a PCORI grant addressing the cancer burden in the catchment area.
Aims
The aims of the CCPS program are to elucidate molecular, behavioral, social, environmental and other risk factors in cancer incidence and mortality; develop and evaluate primary and secondary cancer prevention interventions; and address the unique needs of cancer survivors.
Program Co-leaders
More about Sulma Mohammed, D.V.M., Ph.D., and Stephanie Staras, Ph.D.
Program Members
To request an update, please email ResearchDevelopment@cancer.ufl.edu.
Gonzalo J. Acosta Garcia, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine
Program: CCPS
Research Interests:
- Cancer Genetics, Cancer Surveillance, Targeted Cancer Therapy, Thyroid
Caterina Alacevich, PHD
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Health Outcomes and Bioinformatics, College of Medicine
Program: CCPS
Research Interests:
- Behavioral Determinants of Cancer, Cancer Prevention, Health Disparities
Jeanette Andrade, BS,MS,PHD
Assistant Professor
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Program: CCPS
Research Interests:
- Kidney, Nutrition, Nutrition, Dietary Supplements & Cancer
Stephen D Anton, BA,MS,PHD
Professor
Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, College of Medicine
Program: CCPS
Research Interests:
- Anesthesiology/Pain Management, Behavioral Determinants of Cancer, Cancer Prevention, Cell Signaling Pathways, Environmental Factors, Health Disparities, Integrative Medicine, Nutrition, Dietary Supplements & Cancer, Quality of Life Issues
Sanaa Badour, BS,BS,MD,MS
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine
Program: CCPS
Research Interests:
- Biostatistics, Breast, Cancer Survivorship, Epidemiology
Susan Barbara Bluck, BA,PHD
Professor
Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Program: CCPS
Research Interests:
- Cancer Communications, Palliative Care
Wesley E Bolch, BS,ME,PHD
Distinguished Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering
Program: CCPS
Research Interests:
- Radiation Oncology
Staja Booker, BSN,MS,PHD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biobehvioral Nursing Science, College of Nursing
Program: CCPS
Research Interests:
- Anesthesiology/Pain Management, Behavioral Determinants of Cancer, Cancer Survivorship, Health Disparities, Integrative Medicine, Pain Management, Quality of Life Issues
Julie A Bradley, MD
Professor
Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine
Program: CCPS
Research Interests:
- Breast, Gynecological, Imaging, Pediatric Oncology, Radiation Oncology
Dejana Braithwaite, PHD
Professor
, College of Medicine
Program: CCPS
Research Interests:
- Aging, Cancer Surveillance, Epidemiology, Health Disparities