Modifiable Risk Factors Branch (MRFB)
Britt C. Reid, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Branch Chief
The Modifiable Risk Factors Branch (MRFB) focuses on factors to reduce cancer risk in humans, including exposures to nutritional components; physical activity and energy balance; alcohol and tobacco; and infectious, physical, and chemical agents.
MRFB's mission is to plan, develop, direct, coordinate, and evaluate:
- A comprehensive program of extramural epidemiologic research in the etiology of cancer in human populations relating to factors that may be modifiable, such as nutrition, physical activity and energy balance, infectious diseases, and physical and chemical agents;
- A program of extramural epidemiologic research to study differences in cancer susceptibility and risk in individuals and populations and the multiple environmental and genetic factors that jointly contribute to cancer, with the ultimate goal of elucidating the etiology of cancer;
- A program of extramural epidemiologic research to evaluate the association of and magnitude of cancer risk associated with biomarkers of exposure, biologically effective dose, and early damage; and
- Research resources, infrastructures, and consortia with a focus on modifiable risk factors to facilitate and maximize the scientific potential of cancer epidemiology research.
Its mission is also to disseminate findings from the research supported by the Branch to the public, health care professionals, scientists engaged in cancer control, and the public health community.
MRFB Staff
| Branch | Name/Title | Contact Info | Interest Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRFB | Reid, Britt C., D.D.S., Ph.D. Branch Chief |
301-435-4914 reidbr@mail.nih.gov |
Climate change, indoor air-pollution, comorbid conditions on health outcomes |
| MRFB | Dold, Georgia Extramural Support Specialist |
301-435-2884 georgiadold@mail.nih.gov |
|
| MRFB | Ellison, Gary L., Ph.D., M.P.H. Program Director |
301-402-1853 ellisong@mail.nih.gov |
Role of lifestyle and environmental factors in cancer incidence and progression, psychosocial factors and cancer incidence and progression, cancer disparities, early environmental exposures |
| MRFB | Mahabir, Somdat, Ph.D., M.P.H. Program Director |
301-496-0270 mahabir@mail.nih.gov |
Mechanisms of obesity/adiposity characteristics, energy balance, diet, alcohol, and other modifiable environmental exposures in cancer etiology, prevention, treatment, and survival; Early life events/exposures and cancer later in life; Birth cohorts; Multi-ethnic cohorts; Childhood cancers |
| MRFB | Su, L. Joseph, Ph.D., M.P.H. Program Director |
301-443-8066 sulj@mail.nih.gov |
Dietary intake assessment, biomarkers associated with cancer etiology and prognosis, carcinogenic chemicals in foods, and molecular mechanisms that underlie cancer risk, such as epigenetic changes |
