Robert Hiatt, MD
Primarily focused on cancer epidemiology and studies of cancer etiology, early development, the environment and social determinants. Dr. Hiatt is interested in understanding the fundamental causes of health disparities and seeking a basis for interventions to modulate their adverse effects on disadvantaged populations. He takes a lifecourse approach and focus on periods during early growth and development when important determinants of tobacco use and eating behaviors are established in order to get at the root causes of these inequities observed later in life. He takes a transdisciplinary approach across many areas of expertise from genetics to the built environment. He has been committed to the study of population health and disparities using transdisciplinary science since his time at the National Cancer Institute when he was the first deputy director of the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences. His disciplinary background in medicine and epidemiology has been expanded over the years by additional experience in cancer research in areas as diverse as genetic epidemiology, behavioral science, health services and outcomes research and cancer surveillance. In addition to leadership roles in epidemiologic and preventive oncologic professional organizations and at the NCI, he has led large and complex cross-disciplinary research projects including two program projects from the NCI.