Department of Epidemiology Alfred Neugut M.D., Ph.D. Professor [email protected] PH 18-127 Telephone: 305-9414 Fax: 305-9413 Expert's guide Research interests Background: Alfred I. Neugut is Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at Columbia University, Head of Cancer prevention and Control for the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia, and Co-Director of the Cancer Prevention Center of New York Presbyterian Hospital. Under the auspices of Columbia's M.D.-Ph.D. program, he received his medical degree and a Ph.D. in Pathobiology in 1977. His research work was under the mentroship of Dr. I. Bernard Weinstein, Director Emeritus of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and focused on aspects of chemical carcinogenesis in vitro. Further clinical training in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology was at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, returning to Columbia as an Andrew Mellon Fellow in Epidemiology and Medicine to obtain an M.P.H. in Epidemiology in 1983, at which time he joined the faculty with a joint appointment in Medicine and Epidemiology. Aside from his responsibilities and activities in the Mailman School of Public health, he continues to see patients as an Attending Physician in Medical Oncology at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital and Harlem Hospital Center. Dr. Neugut's research has centered almost exclusively on cancer epidemiology and prevention. He initiated a series of important studies focused on risk factors for the occurrence and recurrence of colorectal adenomatous polyps (adenomas) which continue to this day. Along with a variety of students, postdocs, and colleagues, these studies have extended into the use and yield of colonoscopy and fecal occult blood testing for routine screening and diagnosis. An editorial by Dr. Neugut in 1988 may be the first to suggest the use of colonoscopy for routine screening of asymptomatic adults, a common practice now. Dr. Neugut's second major research focus has been the occurrence of second malignancies, especially the impact of radiation therapy. For example, he has found elevated risks of lung cancer and esophageal cancer following breast cancer radiotherapy and of bladder cancer following prostate cancer radiotherapy. This work has culminated in a recent book on multiple primary cancers. Other areas of cancer epidemiology to which he has contributed include cancers of the small bowel, gallbladder, and biliary tree. In addition, he serves currently as Co-Principal Investigator of the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project (PI: Dr. Marilie Gammon) and Co-Principal Investigator of the Staten Island Lung Cancer Study (PI: Dr. Judith Jacobson). At the present time, a significant amount of Dr. Neugut's research is centered on studying the use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer in the elderly. Education of community physicians regarding cancer prevention and control through academic detailing methods; racial/ethnic variations in attitudes towards cancer and screening; and aspects of the use of complementary and alternative medicine are also current research interests. Dr. Neugut is currently the first (and only) holder of a K05 Senior Scientist Award from the National Cancer Institute, which recognizes his contributions to research and mentoring in the area of cancer epidemiology and prevention. He has served as Principal Investigator for the past 11 years of an NCI-funded Training Program in Cancer Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health Sciences. He is the former President of the American Society of Preventive Oncology, probably the leading U.S. organization for research ion cancer epidemiology and prevention. He has served on numerous study sections and review committees, both at NIH and elsewhere, and was Chair of the Cancer Subcommittee of an Institute of Medicine panel which reviewed the health effects of Agent Orange for the Veterans Administration.