ah5741@wayne.edu

Education training

Education
(1984) Ph.D Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
(1978) M.S. Computer Science, New York University, New York, NY
(1973) M.S. Biometry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
(1965) A.B. Liberal Arts, St. John’s College, Annapolis, MD

Professional experience

Faculty Appointments
(2022-Present) Professor- Emeritus, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine
(2010-2022)  Professor, Department of Oncology: School of Medicine, Wayne State University
(2000-2010)  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Wayne State University
(1994-1999)  Senior Research Biostatistician, Biostatistics & Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Health System
(1987-1997)  Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan

Hospital or Other Professional Appointments
(2003-2022)  Director, Biostatistics Core, Karmanos Cancer Institute
(2003-2008)  Director, Biostatistics & Research Database Core, Center for Urban and African American Health
(1999-2003)  Co-Director, Biostatistics Core, Karmanos Cancer Institute
(1994-1999)  Director, Biostatistics Core, Josephine Ford Cancer Center, Henry Ford Health System
(1994-1999) Director, Information Systems Core, Josephine Ford Cancer Center, Henry Ford Health System
(1994-1997) Director, Biostatistics Core, University of Michigan Cancer Center

Major professional societies

(2007-Present)  American Society for Clinical Oncology
(2006-Present)  Royal Statistical Society
(1984-Present)  Institute for Mathematical Statistics
(1984-Present)  Society for Clinical Trials
(1979-Present)  American Statistical Association
(1979-Present)  The Biometric Society 

Honors and awards

(2017) School of Medicine College Teaching Award, Wayne State University
(2014) School of Medicine College Teaching Award, Wayne State University
(2011)  School of Medicine College Teaching Award, Wayne State University
(2004)  School of Medicine College Teaching Award, Wayne State University

Research interests

Biostatistics methods and applications for cancer research

albrecht@karmanos.org

Education training

Education
(1978)  Ph.D. Communication, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
(1978)  M.L.I.R. Master of Labor/Industrial Relations, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
(1975)  M.A. Communication, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
(1974)  B.A. Communication, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Professional experience

Faculty Appointments
(2018-Present) Professor - Emeritus, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine
(2010-2018)  Professor (tenured) and Division Director: Population Sciences, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine
(2010-2018)  Associate Center Director: Population Sciences, Karmanos Cancer Institute
(2010- 2015)  Leader, Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute
(2009-2010)  Interim Associate Center Director: Population Sciences, Karmanos Cancer Institute
(2009-2010)  Interim Program Leader: Population Studies and Prevention Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute
(2003-2009)  Assistant Program Leader, Population Studies and Prevention Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute
(2003-2010)  Professor (tenured): Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine
(1993-2003)  Member-in-Residence; Member, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
(1994-2003)  Professor (tenured), Departments of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Community and Family Medicine, College of Medicine and College of Public Health, University of South Florida
(1995-2001)  Research Professor Appointed with Courtesy: University of South Florida Department of Management, College of Business; Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, USF Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, University of South Florida
(1991-1994)  Professor (tenured) and Chair, Dept. of Communication College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida
(1984-1991)  Associate Professor (tenured): Department of Communication, University of Washington
(1979-1984)  Assistant Professor (tenure-track): Department of Communication, University of Washington

Major professional societies

(2006-Present)  American Society of Clinical Oncology
(2004-Present)  American Association for Cancer Research
(2005-Present)  Society of Behavioral Medicine
(1995-Present)  American Public Health Association
(1975-Present)  International Communication Association

Honors and awards

(2010)  Michigan Cancer Consortium Spirit of Collaboration Award (for U01CA114583 “CNP for Older Underserved African American Adults in Detroit” PI: Albrecht; Co PI: Lichtenberg)
(2008)  Faculty Research Excellence Award, WSU School of Medicine
(1998)  University of South Florida Professorial Career Excellence Award
(1997)  Elected to Delta Omega, National Honorary Society for Public Health
(1995)  Presidential Prize Award, Outstanding Article, American Association of Cancer Education
(1994)  Invited Visiting Faculty Fellowship, Australian National Faculty Grant, University of Western Sydney-Nepean, Sydney, Australia
National Communication Association: (1983, 1988, 1993, 2005) Top Competitive Paper Awards
(1992)  Division Outstanding Research Article of the Year Award
International Communication Association: (1987) Recognition Award as Dissertation Committee Chair, Mara Adelman, PhD, First Place Recipient, W. Charles Redding Dissertation Award
(1982)  Recognition Award as Dissertation Committee Chair, Eileen Berlin Ray, PhD, Honorable Mention, W. Charles Redding Dissertation Award
(1979, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1980, 1984)  Top Ranked Competitive Paper Awards
(1979)  W. Charles Redding Dissertation of the Year Award, International Communication Association (First Recipient),
(1977)  AMOCO Foundation/Michigan State University-Wide Excellence In Graduate Teaching Award
(1977)  Scholarship Award, United Auto Workers, Walter Reuther Education Center, Black Lake, MI

ensleyj@wayne.edu

heilbrun@karmanos.org

Office location

Mid-Med Lofts, Suite 3000
87 E Canfield
Detroit, MI 48201

Mailing address

Office phone

Education training

Education
(1972-1976) Ph.D. Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
(1972-1974) M.P.H. Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
(1969-1971) M.A. Mathematical Statistics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(1965-1969) B.S. Mathematics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Professional experience

Faculty Appointments
(2010-Present) Tenured Professor of Oncology, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1999-Present) Biostatistics Core Assistant Director, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
(2008-2010) Tenured Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1997-2010) Professor of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
(1993-2007) Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1989-1999) Biostatistics Core Leader, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
(1986-1989) Director of Biostatistics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.
(1986-1993) Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1979-1986) Biostatistician, Japan‑Hawaii Cancer Study, Kuakini Medical Center, Honolulu, HI
(1976-1979) Assistant Biometrician, and:
(1978-1979) Assistant Professor of Biometrics, Department of Biomathematics and Southwest Oncology Group Biostatistical Office, MD Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, University of Texas System Cancer Center, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
(1970-1972) Research Assistant (Programmer/Statistician): Division of Oncology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

Hospital or Other Professional Appointments
(1992-Present) Full Member, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
(1987-1998) Associate Staff Member, Harper Hospital, Detroit, MI
(1986-1997) Adjunct Scientist, Division of Epidemiology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
(1974) Programmer/Statistician (part‑time): Radiation Therapy Center University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI
(1973) Statistician, Department of Biomathematics, MD Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX

Major professional societies

(1987-Present) American Statistical Association, Detroit Chapter
(1973-Present) International Biometrics Society
(1973-Present) American Statistical Association
(1987-2007) American College of Epidemiology
(1980-1997) Society for Epidemiologic Research
(1980-1986) American Statistical Association, Hawaii Chapter
(1977-1980) American Society of Clinical Oncology
(1977-1980) American Association for Cancer Research, Southwest Section

Honors and awards

(2015) School of Medicine College Teaching Award, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(2012) School of Medicine College Teaching Award, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(2008) Teaching Excellence Award, Fellowship Training Program, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(2006) School of Medicine College Teaching Award, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(2002) Detroit Chapter, American Statistical Association, 2002 Chapter Service Recognition Award, conferred 8/02 at the Joint Statistical Meetings conference
(2002) Best Teacher Award, Fellowship Training Program, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(2000) Best Teacher Award, Fellowship Training Program, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(1999) School of Medicine College Teaching Award, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(1975-1976) University of Michigan Cancer Research Institute Fellow
(1974-1975) University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School Fellow
(1972-1974) US Public Health Service Special Purpose Trainee
(1970-1971) Wayne State University Graduate Professional Scholar
(1970‑1971) Wayne State University Department of Mathematics Honor Roll
(1970‑1971) Wayne State University Department of Mathematics Honor Roll

Research

Statistical methods in clinical trials design and analysis; statistical methods in epidemiology; survival data analysis; prostate cancer; kidney cancer; Phase 1 trials; Phase 2 trials; cryotherapy studies; the National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos-related Cancers (NCVAC).

Publications

Most recent 10, from a total of 192 in peer-review journals

192. BalanV, WangY, Nangia-MakkerP, KhoD, Bajaj M, SmithD, HeilbrunL, RazA, HeathE. Galectin-3: a possible complementary marker to the PSA blood test. Oncotarget, 4(4):542-549, 2013. PMID: 23625538
(My role: study design, statistical analysis and report writing, and manuscript writing.)

191. Bang HJ*, Littrup PJ, Currier BP*, Goodrich DJ*, Choi M, Heilbrun LK, Goodman AC. Percutaneous cryoablation of metastatic lesions from colorectal cancer: Efficacy and feasibility with survival and cost-effectiveness observations. ISRN Minimally Invasive Surgery, Volume 2012, Article ID 942364, 10 pages, 2012.
(My role: study design, statistical analysis and report.)

190. Almhanna K, El-RayesB, SethiS*, DysonG, HeilbrunL, PhilipPA, Sarkar F. Association between COX-2 expression and effectiveness of COX-2 inhibitors in phase II trial in patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma. Anticancer Research, 32(8):3559-3563, 2012. PMID: 22843946
(My role: study design, data collection, and manuscript writing.)

189. OgitaS*, TejwaniS*, HeilbrunL, Fontana J, HeathEI, FreemanS, SmithD, BaranowskiK, VaishampayanU. Pilot phase II trial of bevacizumab monotherapy in
nonmetastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. ISRN Oncology, Article ID 242850, 2012. PMCID: PMC3382396
(My role: study design, statistical analysis and report writing, and manuscript writing.)

188. Bang HJ*, Littrup PJ, GoodrichDJ*, Currier BP*, Aoun HD, Heilbrun LK, Vaishampayan U, Adam B, Goodman AC. Percutaneous cryoablation of metastatic
renal cell carcinoma for local tumor control: Feasibility, outcomes, and estimated cost-effectiveness for palliation. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 23(6):770-777, 2012. PMID: 22538119
(My role: statistical analysis and report writing, and manuscript writing.)

187. Bang HJ*, Littrup PJ, Currier BP*, GoodrichDJ*, Aoun HD, Klein LC*, Kuo JC*, Heilbrun LK, Gadgeel S, Goodman AC. Percutaneous cryoablation of metastatic lesions from non-small cell lung carcinoma: Initial survival, local control, and cost observations. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 23(6):761-769, 2012. PMID: 22626267
(My role: statistical analysis and report writing, and manuscript writing.)

186. Kafri Z, Heilbrun L, Sukari A, Yoo G, Jacobs JR, Lin H-S, Mulrenan H, Smith D, Kucuk O. Phase II study of gemcitabine and docetaxel combination (GEMDOC) in patients with previously treated recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. ISRN Oncology, Volume 2012, Article ID 159568, 6 pages, 2012.
(My role: study design, statistical analysis and report writing, and manuscript writing.)
PMCID: PMC3359684

185. Kong D, Heath E, Chen W, Cher M, Powell I, Heilbrun L, Li Y, Ali S, Sethi S*, Hassan O, Huang C, Gupta N, Chitali D, Sakr WA, Menon M, Sarkar FH. Loss of let-7 up-regulates EZH2 in prostate cancer consistent with the acquisition of cancer stem cell signatures that are attenuated by BR-DIM. PLoS One, 7(3):e33729, 2012.
(My role: study design, statistical analysis, and manuscript writing.)
PMCID: PMC3307758

184. Kong D, Heath E, Chen W, Cher M, Powell I, Heilbrun L, Li Y, Ali S, Sethi S*, Hassan O, Huang C, Gupta N, Chitale D, Sakr WA, Menon M, Sarkar FH. Epigenetic silencing of miR-34a in human prostate cancer cells and tumor tissue specimens can be reversed by BR-DIM treatment. PMCID: PMC3275434
American Journal of Translational Research, 4(1):14-23, 2012.
(My role: study design, statistical analysis, and manuscript writing.)

183. Naing A, Kurzrock R, Burger A, Gupta S, Lei X, Busaidy N, Hong D, Chen HX, Doyle LA, Heilbrun LK, Rohren E, Ng C, Chandhasin C, LoRusso P. Phase I trial of cixutumumab combined with temsirolimus in patients with advanced cancer. Clinical Cancer Research, 17(18):6052-6060, 2011.
(My role: study design, statistical analysis and report writing, and manuscript writing.)

PubMed Database Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=lance+heilbrun

hillmang@karmanos.org

Mailing address

Karmanos Cancer Center
4100 John R Rd. 
Detroit, MI 48201

Education training

Education
(1983)  Ph.D., Virology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
(1976)  M.Sc., Virology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
(1973)   B.Sc., Biology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

Postgraduate Training
(1986-1990) Associate Researcher, Department of Human Oncology, CSC, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
(1982-1985) Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Laboratory of Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. 
(1977-1982) Graduate Student, Department of Virology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
(1976) Research Associate, Department of Virology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. 
(1973-1975) M.Sc. Student, Department of Virology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
(1973) Research Assistant, Department of Pharmacology, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. 

Professional experience

Faculty Appointments
(2017 - Present) Professor Emeritus, Department of Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(2011-2017) Professor, Department of Oncology (Radiation Oncology), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1998-2011) Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1996-1998) Associate Professor, Department of Urology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1990-1996) Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

Hospital or Other Professional Appointments
Faculty Development Liaison, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Director, Radiation / Gene Therapy / Soy Program
(2012-2017) Departmental Faculty Development Liaison (DFDL), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(2011-2017) Graduate Faculty for Cancer Biology Graduate Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1990-2017) Associate Member of the Immunology and Microbiology Department, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(2011-2014) Member of Tumor Microenvironment Program, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1990-1998) Director of Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Urology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Major professional societies

(2015-Present)  Member, SITC: Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer
(2010-Present)  ASTRO: American Society for Radiation Oncology
(1991-Present)  AACR: American Association for Cancer Research
(1998)  American Urological Association
(1998)  International Society for Preventive Oncology
(1993)  International Society for the Study of Comparative Oncology
(1991-2005)  SBT: The Society for Biological Therapy
(1991)  AAI: American Association of Immunologists
(1990)  Detroit Immunological Society 

Honors and awards

(2000)  NCI-ACR travel award to attend First International Conference on Translational Research and Pre-Clinical Strategies in Radio-Oncology, Lugano, Switzerland
(1982-1984)  Post doctoral fellowship from Anna Fuller Fund
(1982-1983)  Henry Bayles research fellowship from Israel Cancer Research Fund
(1983)  Jacob I. Schaffer Faculty Award for outstanding achievement and excellent Ph.D. Thesis.
(1974)  Outstanding academic achievement prize from the Women's Academic Association of the Hebrew University. 

Courses taught

CB 7210/PHC 7210: Fundamentals of Cancer Biology
CB 7410: Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy

Research interests

I have developed orthotopic animal models of different types of malignancies and extensively investigated various systemic therapeutic approaches to enhance the local effect of radiotherapy and control metastatic disease. These included natural dietary compounds (notably soy isoflavones), anti-angiogenic drugs, immunotherapy and immuno-mediated gene therapy. I have also developed expertise in studying the radioprotection of normal tissues using soy compounds to reduce radiation toxicity, while simultaneously increasing the anti-tumor effect.

Radiation and Immunotherapy:
I was among the pioneers to study enhancement of tumor response to radiation by immunotherapy and immuno-mediated gene therapy (since 1990-2015). We found that local tumor irradiation given prior to immunotherapy or cancer vaccines greatly improved the local tumor response and systemic disease. This approach is currently generating a lot of interest in the field of cancer therapy.

Radiation and natural dietary compounds:
I have worked during the past 14 years on the synergistic effects of radiotherapy with soy isoflavones natural compounds. Soy isoflavones have shown chemopreventive and anti-cancer properties in multiple studies. We were the first ones to demonstrate that soy enhances the killing of tumor cells in multiple studies both in vitro and in animal tumor models in vivo. We have extensively investigated the mechanisms of interaction between radiation and soy and demonstrated that soy inhibits survival molecular pathways which are upregulated in tumor cells by radiation, resulting in cell death. These studies were consistently reproduced in prostate cancer, kidney cancer and lung cancer. They were translated in a published clinical trial in prostate cancer demonstrating not only increased cancer response to radiotherapy but also radioprotective effects of surrounding organs. This differential effect of soy as an enhancer of radiation response on cancer and radioprotector of normal tissues is currently under investigation in my research program in lung tumor models, focusing on mitigation of radiation-induced injury to normal lungs. Our findings have been translated into a clinical trial for stage III NSCLC patients receiving chemo-radiotherapy and soy tablets as supplements.

Radiation and anti-angiogenic drugs
I have investigated the effects of two anti-angiogenic drugs, sunitinib and axitinib, obtained from Pfizer to enhance the effect of radiotherapy in kidney cancer and lung cancer. These studies were successful and demonstrated that normalization of tumor vasculature with anti-angiogenic drugs significantly improved the radiation response. 

Publications

1. M.D. Fountain, L.M. Abernathy, F. Lonardo, S.E. Rothstein, M.M. Dominello, W. Chen, S.M. Gadgeel, M.C. Joiner, G.G. Hillman, Radiation-Induced Esophagitis is Mitigated by Soy Isoflavones. Frontiers in Oncology, 2015; 5:238. PMCID: PMC4617099
2. L. M. Abernathy, M. D. Fountain, S.E. Rothstein, J. M. David, C. K. Yunker, J. Rakowski, F. Lonardo, M.C. Joiner, G.G. Hillman. Soy Isoflavones Promote Radioprotection of Normal Lung Tissue by Inhibition of Radiation-Induced Activation of Macrophages and Neutrophils. J. Thoracic Oncol, 2015. 10: 1703-1712.
3. E.J. Wuthrick, W.J. Curran Jr., K. Camphausen, A. Lin, J. Glass, J. Evans, D.W. Andrews, R. Axelrod, W. Shi, M. Werner-Wasik, E.M. Haacke, G.G. Hillman, A.P. Dicker, A Pilot Study of Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiation Therapy and Sunitinib in Previously Irradiatiod Patients with Reccurent High-Grade Glioma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2014; 90: 369-375. PMID: 25104067
4. G.G. Hillman, F. Lonardo, D.J. Hoogstra , J. T. Rakowski , C. K. Yunker, M.C. Joiner, G. Dyson, S. Gadgeel, V. Singh-Gupta. Axitinib Improves Radiotherapy in Murine Xenograft Lung Tumors. Translational Oncology, 2014; 7: 400–409. PMID:24862536.
5. G.G. Hillman, V. Singh-Gupta, F. Lonardo, D.J. Hoogstra, L. M. Abernathy, S.E. Rothstein, C. K. Yunker, J. T. Rakowski, F.H. Sarkar, S. Gadgeel, A.A. Konski, M.C. Joiner. Radioprotection of Lung Tissue by Soy Isoflavones. J. Thoracic Oncol, 2013; 8: 1356-64 PMID: 24077456. This article was highlighted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) in November 2013 and by a Press Release from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) in October 2013.

ortonc@wayne.edu

Biography

I am an Emeritus Professor in the Radiation Oncology Department at WSU. I was the Chief of Physics and Director of the Medical Physics Graduate Program for over 20 years, and am still active within the program and within the AAPM. I regularly teach a seminar course on writing good journal articles and serve as a judge for the annual Graduate Student Research Award.

pennerl@karmanos.org

Education training

Education
(1969)  Ph.D. Social Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
(1966)  M.A. Social Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
(1964)  B.A. Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

Professional experience

Faculty Appointments
(2010-2019)  Professor, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University Population Sciences and Health Disparities Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
(2003-Present)  Emeritus Professor, Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
(2003-Present)  Adjunct Research Scientist; Research Center for Group Dynamics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
(2003-2010)  Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(2000-2003)  Chair, University Institutional Review Board (Social and Behavioral)
(1986-1993)  Chair, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
(1984-1985)  Associate Chair, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
(1978-2003)  Professor, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
(1973-1978)  Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
(1969-1973)  Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Major professional societies

American Psychological Association
American Psychological Society
International Psycho-Oncology Society
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Society of Experimental Social Psychology (Fellow)
Society for Behavioral Medicine

Honors and awards

(2014)  Kales' Award in Oncology Research, WSU/Karmanos Cancer Institute
(2014)  College Teaching Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine
(2013)  Fellow Society of Personality and Social Psychology
(2010)  College Teaching Award WSU School of Medicine
(2010)  Fellow, Society of Experimental Social Psychology
(2005)  Outstanding Service Award Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
(2003)  Professor Emeritus, University of South Florida
(2000)  Fellow, American Psychological Society
(1999)  Fellow, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
(1996)  Professorial Excellence Award University of South Florida

Research interests

My current research focuses on how personal attributes and social factors affect the quality of the health care people receive and their ability to cope with life-threatening illnesses.  Within this general area, I focus on racial/ethnic health care disparities and how race-related attitudes may affect the quality of care patients receive.  Related to this, I study clinical communication in oncology settings and social determinants of accrual to clinical trials. My other major research interest is differences in how children and their families cope with pediatric cancer. In this context, I explore the role of personal attributes and social factors in reactions to cancer treatments. Finally, I continue to have an interest in prosocial behavior, Links to the Prosocial Personality Battery (PSB) are below.

schiffer@karmanos.org

Office phone

1-800-Karmanos

Education training

Education
(1972)  M.D., New York University School of Medicine, Recipient New York State Regents Scholarship
(1968)  B.A. (cum Laude), Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts

Postgraduate Training
(1971-1972)  Chief Resident, Internal Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital and Manhattan VA Hospital, NY, NY
(1969-1971)  Resident, Internal Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital, NY, NY
(1968-1971)  Internship in Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital, NY, NY

Professional experience

Faculty Appointment
(2021-Present) Professor Emeritus, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1997-2021) Professor of Oncology and Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(2003-2021) Head, Multidisciplinary Leukemia/Lymphoma Team, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(2003-2021) Director, Fellowship Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(2003-2006) Interim, Vice President for Medical Affairs, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1997-2000) Director of Clinical Research, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1997-2000) Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology and Vice Chair for Cancer Affairs, Department of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
(1982-1993) Chief, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine
(1982-1993) Deputy Director for Clinical Research and Chief, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, University of Maryland Cancer Center at the University of Maryland Baltimore, Maryland
(July 1981-1997) Chief, Cell Component Therapy Section, University of Maryland Cancer Center at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
(1980-1997) Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
(1978-1981) Head, Cell Component Therapy Section, Baltimore Cancer Research Program, DCT, National Cancer Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
(1973-1978) Head, Cell Component Therapy Unit, Baltimore Cancer Research Program, DCT, National Cancer Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
(1975-1977) Senior Investigator, Baltimore Cancer Research Program, DCT, National Cancer Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
(1972-1975) Staff Associate, Baltimore Cancer Research Program, DCT, National Cancer Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

Major professional societies

(1975-Present)  American Society of Hematology
(1975-Present)  American Society of Clinical Oncology
(1974-1990)  American Federation of Clinical Research

Board certification

(1972) American Board of Internal Medicine
(1974) American Board of Medical Oncology

Honors and awards

(2013)  Pioneers inMedicine Award - Childrens' Leukemia Foundation
(2012)  College Teaching Award – Wayne State University
(2011)  Best Teacher in Hematology – Fellows Award
(2010)  Fellow of the American Society of Oncology (FASCO)
(2010)  Best Teacher in Hematology – Fellows Award
(2009)  Wayne State University Academy of Scholars – elected member
(2009)  Best Teacher in Hematology – Fellow’s Award
(2008)  College Teaching Award – Wayne State University
(2007)  Recipient of Research Award Leukemia/Lymphoma Society of America Michigan Chapter
(2006)  Celgene Award for Career Achievement in Hematology
(2006)  Leukemia/Lymphoma Society of America.  Dr. John J. Kenney Award.
(2005)  Best Teacher in Hematology – Fellow’s Award
(2003)  Best Teacher in Hematology – Fellow’s Award
(2003)  College Teaching Award – Wayne State University
(1992)  Listed in "The Best Cancer Specialists in the US" - Good Housekeeping Magazine
(1992)  Arlene Wyman Rosenbloom Guild - "Man of the Year" Award
(2003, 2005, 2009-2013)  Hour Magazine – Best Doctors in Detroit
(2000-Present)  Listed in “Best Doctors in America” – Castle-Connelly
(1998)  Listed in Best Doctors in America
(1997)  Listed in Best Doctors in America
(1996)  Listed in "Best Doctors in America" - American Health Magazine
(1996-1997)  Listed in "Best Doctors in America: Southeast Region"
(1994)  Listed in "Best Doctors in Baltimore" - Baltimore Magazine
(1993)  Listed in "The Best Doctors in America"

Courses taught

Medical Resident Instruction

Research

Leukemia Biology and Treatment
Platelet Transfusion Therapy