Cheryl Thompson

Dr. Cheryl Thompson is a Professor and Interim Vice Chair for Education at the Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine. She holds the Endowed Chair in Cancer Population Sciences Research at the Penn State Cancer Institute and leads the Division of Epidemiology. Her work bridges genetic, molecular, and population-level epidemiology to address cancer prevention and outcomes.

• PhD in Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology (Case Western Reserve University, 2007)
• MS in Computer Science (Case Western Reserve University, 2003)
• BS in Computer Engineering (Case Western Reserve University, 2000)

Her research explores how behavioral, environmental, and inherited genetic factors intersect to influence cancer risk and progression, with a focus on breast cancer, melanoma, and colon cancer. She integrates epigenetic mechanisms into population models to identify prevention strategies and improve treatment outcomes.

Recent publications highlight trends in epigenetic aging (GrimAge, Horvath clocks), physical activity and cancer recurrence, microbiome interactions in cancer, and global health disparities. Her work spans molecular epidemiology, precision oncology, and public health policy applications.

Dr. Thompson serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the American Society of Preventive Oncology (2018–2021) and leads grants from the National Cancer Institute, including studies on PI3K pathway variants and epigenetic age acceleration in cancer cohorts.

She collaborates with the Penn State Cancer Institute, One Health Microbiome Center, and Center for Cannabis and Natural Product Pharmaceuticals, advancing interdisciplinary research linking lifestyle, environment, and genomics to cancer prevention.