Thomas Sellers, PhD, came to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center last year eager to harness his experience in transdisciplinary research to make an impact in the battle against cancer.
Dr. Sellers, the center’s deputy director of population science, said he hopes to inspire the cancer prevention and control program, build on community outreach and engagement and ultimately demonstrate the achievements and impact expected of a comprehensive cancer center.
“I’m also thrilled to have the opportunity to spend more time for research, teaching, training and mentoring,” he said.
Dr. Sellers, who also holds a master’s degree in public health, brings more than 30 years of academic experience and a record of significant leadership contributions to Omaha.
Before joining the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Dr. Sellers held National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant leadership roles at the Oregon Health and Science University Knight Cancer Institute, the Moffitt Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota Cancer Center.
He has served in associate director, deputy director and director roles and on professional boards that include the American Association for Cancer Research, the Association of American Cancer Institutes, and the NCI Board of Scientific Counselors.
As a genetic epidemiologist, Dr. Sellers’ research has focused on identifying both inherited and modifiable risk factors for common cancers, primarily of the breast, ovarian and prostate. His work has been supported by over $100 million in peer-reviewed grants as PI or co-PI and findings published in more than 400 peer-reviewed articles.
Dr. Sweasy said: “I’m delighted that Tom is here to build population sciences, which is a critical step towards achieving NCI Comprehensive status.”