Caryn Lerman

Dr. Caryn Lerman serves as Director of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Associate Dean for Cancer Programs, and holds the H. Leslie and Elaine S. Hoffman Cancer Research Chair at Keck School of Medicine. Her transdisciplinary research bridges neuroscience, genomics, pharmacology, and population science to develop biology-driven cancer prevention strategies.

Research focuses on:

• Behavioral epidemiology of cancer genetic susceptibility
• Pharmacogenomics of tobacco dependence
• Neuroscience-based interventions for risk behavior reduction

Publication analysis reveals strong focus on genetic determinants of tobacco use (45%), cancer health disparities (25%), precision prevention approaches (20%), and novel intervention methodologies (10%). Recent work shows increasing emphasis on structural determinants of cancer outcomes and machine learning applications.

Awards & Leadership:

• Elected to National Academy of Medicine
• American Cancer Society Cancer Control Award
• Vice President/President-Elect, Association of American Cancer Institutes
• Past President, Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco

Formerly Senior Deputy Director of Abramson Cancer Center and Vice Dean for Strategic Initiatives at University of Pennsylvania.