As a radiation oncologist and epidemiologist, my research focuses on evaluating determinants of population-based outcomes, health services utilization, and medical decision-making for patients with cancer. I have used national and institutional observational databases as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses to gain insight into how clinical, demographic, and health system factors affect quality of care and outcomes. I also highly prioritize the use of innovative statistical methods to minimize the inherent biases of retrospective analysis, having led the development of a tool known as sequential landmark analysis to control for immortal time bias when interpreting observational analyses studying the survival impact of adjuvant radiation therapy. Furthermore, I am interested in pragmatic clinical trial design and reducing barriers to trial accrual among disadvantaged populations through community-based participatory research.
I have co-authored over 120 peer-reviewed original research articles and 40 reviews, book chapters, and invited editorials. I also direct the Yale Radiation Oncology Consortium (YROC), lead the Therapeutic Radiology disease-aligned research team (DART) for clinical trials, and collaborate closely with the Yale Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy, and Effectiveness Research Center (COPPER). I am also interested in mentoring medical students, residents, and junior faculty in clinical trials, comparative effectiveness research, and health services research, especially in projects relating to lung cancer and head and neck cancer.
Population-based Outcomes; Health Services Utilization; Health Disparities; Clinical Trials
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Radiation; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma; Mentoring