Xiaomei Ma

Professor Xiaomei Ma serves as Professor of Epidemiology and Interim Chair of the Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, while also co-leading the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research program focuses on cancer epidemiology with particular emphasis on pediatric cancers and hematopoietic malignancies including leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative neoplasms.

She earned her PhD from the University of California at Berkeley in 2001. Her academic journey has led to significant contributions across multiple institutional frameworks including the Climate Change and Health Initiative, COPPER Center, K12 Calabresi Immuno-Oncology Training Program, and Yale Ventures.

Professor Ma's research investigates the roles of immunological factors, chemical exposures, and genetic characteristics in cancer risk, alongside patterns of care and cost implications for cancer screening and treatment in older adults. Her work frequently employs population-based case-control studies, nationwide claims databases, and mendelian randomization techniques to address critical questions in cancer etiology and prevention.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) reveals consistent focus on cancer disparities, environmental risk factors, and treatment patterns. Key themes include perinatal exposures to air pollution and PFAS, early-onset versus late-onset cancers, and health services research in cancer screening - particularly examining impacts of the COVID pandemic and USPSTF recommendations.

As Interim Chair and Professor, she mentors graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in epidemiology and cancer research. Her leadership in the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program indicates substantial grant funding, though specific awards aren't detailed in current materials. Her collaborative network includes frequent co-authors Rong Wang, Amer Zeidan, and Nikolai Podoltsev across hematology and oncology research.

Professor Ma co-leads the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center while contributing to multiple interdisciplinary initiatives. Her work bridges public health, clinical oncology, and environmental science through the Climate Change and Health Initiative and COPPER Center, fostering translational research approaches to cancer prevention and control.