James R. Cerhan, M.D., Ph.D.

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SUMMARY

James R. Cerhan, M.D., Ph.D., is a cancer epidemiologist who uses epidemiologic approaches to study the causes and outcomes of cancer in people. Dr. Cerhan's research focuses on lymphoma and on building and sustaining infrastructure to facilitate research on lymphoma and other health conditions. Dr. Cerhan also is principal investigator of the Lymphoma Epidemiology Laboratory.

Focus areas

• Identifying causes of lymphoma. Dr. Cerhan is studying the environmental, lifestyle, genetic and biological factors that may contribute to lymphoma. He uses large cohort and case-control epidemiologic studies combined with state-of-the-art technologies to determine these factors and understand their underlying mechanisms.
• Improving outcomes in lymphoma. Dr. Cerhan conducts research to identify lifestyle, genetic, tumor and treatment factors that lead to improved survival, overall health and quality of life. In collaboration with clinicians, pathologists, immunologists, behavioral scientists, statisticians, bioinformaticians and other physician-scientists, Dr. Cerhan follows a large cohort of people with lymphoma to better understand, improve and optimize survivorship over the short and long terms.
• Building and sustaining infrastructure for human research. Dr. Cerhan is co-principal investigator of the Mayo Clinic Biobank. The biobank has collected samples and medical information from more than 50,000 participants to use in research. In addition, Dr. Cerhan is associate director of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Registry, where he oversees the collection of systematic data on people with a new diagnosis of cancer. These data are used for state and national reporting, quality improvement, and research to improve cancer care.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Cerhan's research is improving patient care in a variety of ways. Identifying the causes of lymphoma and other cancers helps doctors figure out prevention strategies and who is most at risk. Studying ways lymphoma affects people leads to better outcomes and survivorship. In addition, building and maintaining a strong system for medical research helps lower healthcare costs and turns new discoveries into treatments faster.

Professional highlights

• Mayo Clinic:
  • Ralph S. and Beverley E. Caulkins Professor of Cancer Research, 2017-present.
  • Co-director, Biorepositories Program, 2010-present.
  • Associate director, Mayo Clinic Cancer Registry, 2001-present.
  • Interim chair, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics, 2021-2023.
  • Chair, Department of Health Sciences Research, 2012-2020.
  • Co-leader, Genetic Epidemiology and Risk Assessment Program, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2002-2020.
  • Associate chair, Academic Affairs and Faculty Development, Department of Health Sciences Research, 2010-2012.
  • Chair, Division of Epidemiology, Rochester, 2006-2012.
• Elected member, Scientific Council, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2019-2023.
• Co-editor, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, Fourth Edition, Oxford University Press, 2017.
• Chair, Council for Extramural Grants, American Cancer Society, 2015-2017.
• Chair, Molecular Epidemiology Working Group, American Association for Cancer Research, 2012-2013.
• Chair and secretariat, NCI Cohort Consortium, National Cancer Institute (NCI), 2011-2012.
• Chair, Coordinating Committee, International Lymphoma Epidemiology Consortium (InterLymph Consortium), 2011.