Hayley Thompson, Ph.D., associate professor of oncology for the Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, has accepted an invitation from the National Institutes of Health to serve as a member of the Societal and Ethical Issues in Research Study Section, Center for Scientific Review.

Study sections at the Center for Scientific Review evaluate approximately 70 percent of the research grant applications submitted to the NIH and represent a unique opportunity to contribute to the national biomedical research effort.

"It is a privilege to be a part of the SEIR study section and review grant proposals on topics that are of critical importance to Karmanos as a comprehensive cancer center," Dr. Thompson said. "This study section evaluates proposals to investigate processes and policies that support the most effective and responsible conduct of research with human participants, including patients, and clinical trials. It also reviews proposals to study research procedures and clinical practices in human genetics and genomics. In light of recent advances in these areas, it is an exciting time to be a part of this group."

The invitation to join the study section recognizes Dr. Thompson's scientific stature and contributions to medical research. Members of the study section are chosen based on their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as well as on their research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals and other significant scientific activities and honors.

"Dr. Thompson is a highly experienced researcher and her work within the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program will support her judgment and objectivity in the grant review process," said Terrance Albrecht, Ph.D., WSU professor of family medicine and public health sciences and associate center director or Population Sciences at the Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Dr. Thompson is the recipient of a five-year, $1,271,000 grant from the American Cancer Society to study ways to improve resources for post-treatment Latina breast cancer survivors. In addition, Dr. Thompson has recently completed studies examining breast cancer survivorship and quality of care among African-American breast cancer survivors.  She is co-principal investigator of an NIH-funded R01 study to increase colorectal cancer screening among African-American men.

"As a member of the SEIR study section, I hope I can provide meaningful feedback on the potential of projects to address and reduce racial and ethnic cancer-related disparities," Dr. Thompson said, "as this is the focus of all of my work."