BCERC Member Details

BCERC Member Details

Marshall W. Anderson , PhD Professor Department of Genome Science University of Cincinnati

Dr. Anderson’s 40 year scientific career has included leadership positions in molecular toxicology for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and more recently the directorship of the Department of Environmental Health at the University of Cincinnati, before joining the Department of Genome Science in 2004. He was named Deputy Director of the Cincinnati BCERC in 2006. His research interests include the role of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in tumor development (esp. in lung cancer), the mechanisms by which toxic chemicals cause cancer, and the impact of genetic diversity on the response of the individual to toxic environmental agents. Dr. Anderson leads the Genetic Epidemiology of Lung Cancer Consortium of 11 research sites nationally, which in 2004 discovered evidence of lung cancer susceptibility genes in humans.
BCERC Role: Deupty Director of Cincinnati BCERC & Principal Investigator of Biology Studies

Chrissy Baker

Kathleen Ball , RN Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (BCA) National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC)

Ms. Ball, diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, served as President of the Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (BCA) from 1999-2001 and has served on the Board of Directors of the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) since 2002. She is an NBCC Project LEAD graduate and has served as a consumer reviewer for the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program since 1999; she served as a mentor to two consumer reviewers in 2001. Ms. Ball has extensive professional experience in clinical research with pediatric and cancer populations. She has been active in the Cincinnati BCERC since 2003. She serves as an Advocate Co-Investigator with the COTC and Project 2; participates in P2 conference calls; and serves on the biomarker and COTC network sub-committees. Ms. Ball was co-director of the Advocate Research Training Program.
BCERC Role: & Co-Investigator of COTC & Co-Investigator of Epidemiology Studies

Frank Biro , MD Director, Division of Adolescent Medicine Professor, Department of Pediatrics University of Cincinnati Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Dr. Biro is recognized nationally as a clinician, educator and investigator in the field of adolescent medicine. His research interests include the impact of pubertal development on health and illness, and the antecedents of pubertal maturation. In addition to working on Growing Up Female (the project in young ladies that examines nutritional, psychological, and chemical exposures on timing of puberty), he is working on studies to evaluate bone development during puberty, the mechanisms responsible for pubertal changes from exposure to chemicals and other endocrine disruptors, and how physical maturation and energy expenditure impacts the development of risk factors for heart disease.
BCERC Role: & Principal Investigator of Epidemiology Studies

Robert Bornschein , PhD Emeritus Professor Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati

Dr. Bornschein’s research interests have focused on sources of childhood lead exposure, causes of lead poisoning, its developmental consequences, primary prevention and evaluation of chelation therapy. He has also conducted numerous exposure assessments of communities located adjacent to Superfund sites, with an emphasis on heavy metal exposures, residential soil and dust contamination and biomarkers of exposure. Following each of these exposure assessments, he has worked with community leaders and health officials to develop and implement screening programs and exposure reduction plans. Dr. Bornschein was a founding member of the Cincinnati Breast Cancer and Environment Research Center, served as its Deputy Director and currently serves as Center Director. His research interests include measuring biomarkers of exposure to chemicals thought to alter pubertal development, thereby altering the risk of later breast cancer occurrence. He also is interested in the communication of study findings to study families, as well as the larger community and health officials.
BCERC Role: Director of Cincinnati BCERC & Co-Principal Investigator of COTC

M. Kathryn Brown , MS , PhD Assistant Professor Department of Environmental Health1 University of Cincinnati

Dr. Brown has experience in all aspects of population-based exposure and health assessment studies, having collaborated on childhood lead exposure studies in urban settings and Superfund sites. She is active in participatory research and collaborative education activities which assist minority and environmentally-impacted communities in the conduct of community health assessments that can be used to develop community-based approaches to abating environmental pollution and targeting health education. As part of the BCERC, she works with breast cancer advocates and researchers in the design/conduct of programs that 1) familiarize advocates with biology and epidemiology research methods; 2) educate the public about environmental exposures and genetic interactions that impact pubertal development and/or breast cancer; and 3) report research findings to study participants and relevant health authorities. She works with the other BCERC COTCs in the development of strategies to translate research findings to the public at-large, including health policy officials.
BCERC Role: & Principal Investigator of COTC & Co-Investigator of Epidemiology Studies

Kim Dietrich , PhD Professor Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati

Dr. Dietrich is Professor of Environmental Health and Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. His research is focused on the impact of environmental chemical exposures on fetal and child development. For the last 28 years, he has been examining the health effects of lead exposure on infants, children and adolescents. He is currently studying the impact of childhood lead exposure on adult neuropsychological outcomes, including adult attention deficit disorder and criminality in a 28-year prospective cohort study. He has served as the clinical center director for a multi-center trial of the therapeutic benefits of a drug that helps relieve lead-exposed children of this potent nervous system poison. Dr. Dietrich is also currently studying the impact of prenatal and postnatal exposure to lead, mercury, pesticides, and other toxins on child development in a birth cohort recruited from a three-county area.
BCERC Role: & Co-Principal Investigator of Epidemiology Studies

Jim Flessa Research Associate Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati

As a program coordinator for the Cincinnati BCERC, Mr. Flessa staffs and provides reports on regular meetings of Project 2 researchers and staff. He assists the COTC with written materials, continuing education applications, publicity and logistics for public programs, and writes/edits text for the Center’s web site and annual Progress Reports. Mr. Flessa also coordinates the Occupational Medicine Residency Program within the Department of Environmental Health, and is a technical writer for the Academic Health Center’s Center for Clinical & Translational Science & Training (CCTST).
BCERC Role: Research Coordinator of Cincinnati BCERC

Robin Gear , MBA Principal Research Assistant Department of Genome Science University of Cincinnati

Ms. Gear’s research goal is to combine clinical observations with carefully controlled breast cancer models to expand what is known about breast cancer prevention and treatment. As a clinical researcher, Ms. Gear’s research has focused on drug delivery and angiogenesis in early breast cancer. This work has fostered an interest in understanding of the role of estrogen and insulin signaling in mammary proliferation. As part of the biology research team, she is studying how the breast interacts with environmental exposures, including diet, to modify mammary growth, susceptibility to breast cancer and/or disease progression. She specializes in detecting changes in mammary gland morphology, using whole mount techniques.
BCERC Role: & Principal Research Assistant of Biology Studies

Gail Greenburg , RN , MSN Nurse Navigator/Educator Women’s Center Mercy Hospital Anderson

Ms. Greenburg works full time as a nurse navigator/educator in the Center for Women’s Health at Mercy Hospital Anderson. She works with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and their families to help guide and support them through the maze of breast cancer treatment. She helps her patients schedule diagnostic tests and appointments with a surgeon, if necessary, as well as assists patients through the selection of an oncologist and treatment. Acting as a resource for information and questions, she has the shoulder for the patient to cry on and the ear to listen throughout their journey. She is principally an advocate for her patients and for the community. Ms. Greenburg has been involved in numerous activities in the Community. She is a member of the American Cancer Society’s Breast Health Committee and is a previous board member. She is also a founding member of the Breast Answer Group. Ms. Greenburg has been an active member of the Cincinnati BCERC since 2004 and is a Study Helper with the Growing Up Female study.
BCERC Role: & Advocate Collaborator of COTC

Holly Hendrix , RVT , HT , QIHC Research Assistant Department of Genome Science University of Cincinnati

Ms. Hendrix is certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) as a Histology Technician (HT) with ASCP Qualification in Immunohistochemistry and as a Registered Veterinary Technician in the State of Ohio. She has worked in UC research laboratories for twenty-five years. For nineteen years, she produced all the clinical immunohistochemistry for UC’s IHC Pathology Laboratory. Ms. Hendrix’s expertise in immunohistochemistry and histology are crucial skill sets for the Cincinnati biology studies. In addition, her experience teaching students was helpful in the development of the laboratory tour, workstation activities and process demonstrations for the Advocate Research Training (ART) Program.
BCERC Role: & Research Assistant of Biology Studies

Ann Hernick Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (BCA) National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC)

Mrs. Hernick was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and dedicates her time to volunteering for various breast cancer organizations. She served as BCA President from 2001-05 and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) 2003-09. She founded the Breast Health Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati and served on the Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio (Ohio breast cancer license plate.) Mrs. Hernick is an NBCC Project LEAD graduate, a San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium advocate scholarship recipient and led the BCA team that received the NBCC’s 2006 Best Practices award for Advocacy in Research. Passionate about the prevention of breast cancer, Mrs. Hernick has been involved with the Cincinnati BCERC since 2003; she remains active as Chair of the Education Committee, Study Helper with the Growing Up Female study, COTC representative at Project 2 meetings, co-director of the Advocate Research Training Program and member of the BCERC COTC network sub-committee.
BCERC Role: & Co-Principal Investigator of COTC & Co-Investigator of Epidemiology Studies & Advocate Collaborator of Biology Studies

Shuk-mei Ho , PhD Professor Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati

Dr. Ho’s research focuses on the significance of hormones and endocrine disruptors on tumorigenesis in the prostate, ovary, endometrium and breast. Her research utilizes genomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic analyses for the discovery of diagnostic and prognostic cancer markers and for the prediction of patients’ responses to interventions. Her current research emphasizes mechanisms of fetal-based adult disease development, cadmium-induced disorders and oxidative stress/inflammation-mediated cellular changes. Dr. Ho is a member of the Scientific Counsel of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the chair of the NTP High Throughput Screening Development Workshop. Her current and past research projects have been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, the Department of Defense and a number of private foundations.
BCERC Role: & Co-Principal Investigator of Biology Studies

Anita Hurst , MPA Clinical Research Coordinator III Division of Adolescent Medicine Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Ms. Hurst received her Master of Arts in Public Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology all from Northern Kentucky University. Prior to joining the Growing Up Female study team, she worked as a Program Director for the Council on Child Abuse of Southern Ohio, Inc for almost two years and as a Case Manager/Counselor for students diagnosed with Severe Emotional/Behavior Disabilities in the Kenton County School System for four years. She is a member of the Tri-State Asset Building Committee within Assistance for Substance Abuse Prevention, part of the Greater Cincinnati Health Foundation. As a member of the epidemiology study team, Ms. Hurst directs and assists with data collection, performance of protocol procedures and analyzing results.
BCERC Role: & Clinical Research Coordinator of Epidemiology Studies

Andrea Ice Sisters Network Cincinnati (SNC) Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (BCA) Breast Cancer Registry of Greater Cincinnati (BCRGC)

Ms. Ice was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989 and 1990 with a recurrence in 1993. During this time she felt totally alone in her experience - not personally knowing anyone who had experienced this disease. Ms. Ice, who envisioned being a resource to other African American women affected by breast cancer, turned that vision into reality in 2004 when she, along with five other women, founded the Cincinnati chapter of Sisters Network. Ms. Ice served as Treasurer of Sisters Network Cincinnati from 2004 – 2006 and is a former BCA Board Member. She is a graduate of two of the Project LEAD programs and serves as a board member of the Breast Cancer Registry of Greater Cincinnati. Since 2003, Ms. Ice has been actively involved with the Cincinnati BCERC – as a member of the Education Committee and as a Study Helper volunteer with the Growing Up Female study.
BCERC Role: & Advocate Collaborator of COTC

Ron Jandacek , PhD Adjunct Professor Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine University of Cincinnati

Dr. Jandacek is currently working with Dr. Patrick Tso on lipophilic xenobiotics that are implicated in animal and human carcinogenesis. 1.Understanding the effects of body weight cycling on the tissue distribution of a model halogenated hydrocarbon (hexachlorobenzene). Since weight loss causes a redistribution of lipophilic xenobiotics from adipose tissue to other tissues, we have studied this distribution pattern after weight cycling (loss, regain, loss and regain) in mice. 2.Understanding the pathways by which lipophilic xenobiotics are absorbed from the intestine. The absorption of hexachlorobenzene and DDT into lymph and blood is monitored so the initial steps of tissue distribution can be investigated. 3.Studying intervention(s) to prevent the absorption of lipophilic xenobiotics and to increase their rate of excretion. We have demonstrated in animals and human testing that non-absorbable, edible fats reduce the body burden of suspected lipophilic carcinogens by interfering with their absorption from the diet and their reabsorption from enterohepatic circulation.
BCERC Role: & Co-Investigator of Biology Studies

Anuradha Josyula Clinical Research Coordinator II Division of Adolescent Medicine Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Mrs. Josyula, is a medical graduate from India, currently working on her MPH in Public Health Informatics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her career goal is to advance the use of information science and technologies to the practice of medicine. In her time at CCHMC, she worked as a Research Assistant in Department of Nephrology laboratories before joining the Growing Up Female study staff. Mrs. Josyula coordinates the day-to-day operations of the study, maintains contact with study families and participants, assists with data collection protocols and oversees data quality assurance procedures.
BCERC Role: & Clinical Research Coordinator of Epidemiology Studies

Mary Justice Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (BCA) Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)

Mary Justice is an associate professor in the nursing department at University of Cincinnati Raymond Walters College with an interest in oncology nursing. A survivor of DCIS diagnosed in 2001, she became involved in the BCERC at its inception in 2003, currently serving on the Education Committee. She consults as a consumer reviewer for the US Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and has served on eight panels since 2003. She has participated in numerous conferences on breast cancer topics, including the Era of Hope, National Breast Cancer Coalition, San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Young Survivors Coalition, and two of the national BCERC conferences. Mary presented at the NBCC conference plenary session in 2005 as an advocate active in the Cincinnati BCERC. She served on the board of the Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (BCA) from 2003-2007 as continuing education coordinator and secretary. In 2006, she was invited to a National ONS conference on breast and prostate cancer and presented the topic to the Tristate ONS chapter. She serves on the Allocation Committee for the local Bricks Along the Journey fundraiser. In 2007 Mary was nominated for the BCA’s Linda K. Heines Award of Inspiration and Hope. She has written a nursing textbook chapter on interventions for clients with breast disorders, pending publication in 2009.
BCERC Role: & Advocate Collaborator of COTC

Amanda Kolb Clinical Research Coordinator II Division of Adolescent Medicine Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Ms. Kolb graduated from Harvard University in June 2008 with a degree in Biochemical Sciences. During her undergraduate years, she served as a grade school tutor and summer camp counselor for Earthen Vessels, a program designed to empower inner-city youths of Boston. As a member of the Growing Up Female study team, Ms. Kolb assists with performing visit protocols, data collection and coding. She is responsible for cataloging and maintaining the bio-specimens collected throughout the study.
BCERC Role: & Clinical Research Coordinator of Epidemiology Studies

Erin Meyer , MS Doctoral Student Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati

Ms. Baker is a doctoral student in epidemiology. Her MS thesis addressed the opinions and attitudes of NIH-funded researchers regarding communication of study findings to study participants. Ms. Baker is a member of the Growing Up Female study team. She administers and scores psychosocial questionnaires, coordinates the referral of study participants for further evaluation, and catalogs and maintains the blood and urine specimens collected from study participants.
BCERC Role: & Research Assistant of Epidemiology Studies

Meena Mistry Research Associate Department of Genone Science University of Cincinnati

For over two decades, Ms. Mistry has conducted basic research in UC laboratories. Her expertise is in the setup of model systems such as in tissue culture, human cell lines, primary mouse mammary cells and mice mammary gland explants - organ culture. She has grown human & mouse mammary cell mammospheres on Matrigel in order to examine the genes which may be regulated in mammary gland development. Joining the BCERC P1 lab in 2007, Ms. Mistry is studying the environmental factors, especially diet, can increase susceptibility to numerous diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancers of the lung, gut and breast. Her goal is to better understand the signaling pathways which may be involved in fat overload on the body and modifying susceptibility to diseases such as breast cancer.
BCERC Role: & Research lab Technician of Biology Studies

Peggy Monroe Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati

Mrs. Monroe was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. In 2005, she became involved in the Cincinnati BCERC. She is a COTC Committee member and a Study Helper with the Growing Up Female study. She is also a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Mrs. Monroe works full-time for dunnhumbyUSA as a Financial Analyst.
BCERC Role: & Advocate Collaborator of COTC

Shannon Myatt , RN , MSN , CPNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Division of Adolescent Medicine Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Ms. Myatt’s specialty is growth and development. She provides primary medical care to in-patient adolescents at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. In addition to primary care, Ms. Myatt assists with the Growing Up Female Study, conducting pubertal maturation assessments and other data collection procedures.
BCERC Role: & Nurse Practitioner of Epidemiology Studies

Susan Pinney , PhD Associate Professor Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati

Dr. Pinney's research interests include the following: •determining the effect of environmental exposures on cancer incidence, especially chemical toxins and radiation; •detecting susceptibility genes for cancer (genes that, if present, increase risk of developing cancer if you are exposed to the environmental agent associated with that gene); •determining the presence of family aggregation of types of cancer and the likelihood of the presence of co-morbidity (other types of cancer in the family); and •developing biomarkers to estimate exposure using study subjects' responses questionnaire items.
BCERC Role: & Co-Investigator of Epidemiology Studies

Carole Price Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati (BCA) National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC)

Ms. Price was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. In 2006 she became involved with the BCERC. She is a COTC committee member and a Study Helper with Growing Up Female. She is a current board member with the Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati and chairs the Survivorship Celebration. She is a graduate of the NBCC’s Project LEAD and Quality Care, and a recipient of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Advocate Scholarship in 2007. She is an advocate with the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Recently, she was a Consumer Reviewer with the congressionally mandated Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. Ms. Price has been a Pediatric Nurse for 37 years. During that time, she served as Chair of the Nursing Research Council, conducting research as well as presenting and publishing findings.
BCERC Role: & Advocate Collaborator of COTC

Veronica Ratliff Research Associate Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati

Ms. Ratliff is a 25-year employee of the UC College of Medicine. For fifteen years, she worked with Dr. Bornschein, Cincinnati BCERC Center Director, on research studies focused on childhood lead exposure, assisting with grant and report writing, program management and coordination of field research programs. She has experience in the recruitment, retention, biologic sample collection and IRB procedures of health-related human research involving pediatric populations. Studies included the prospective Cincinnati Lead Study and Cincinnati Soil Lead Demonstration Project as well as exposure assessment studies in communities located near western US Superfund sites. From 1997-2007, she served as Assistant to the Chair of the Department of Environmental Health. In January 2007, Ms. Ratliff joined the Cincinnati BCERC, assisting the Center Director with coordination of the research and education projects in Cincinnati and across the network of centers. She served as Conference Coordinator for the 2007 BCERC national conference in Cincinnati.
BCERC Role: Administrator Coordinator of Cincinnati BCERC

Jennifer Ruschman , ScM , CGC Clinical Manager / Laboratory Genetic Counselo Division of Human Genetics Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Jennifer Ruschman has over five years of experience as a genetic counselor with the Hereditary Cancer Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital within the Division of Human Genetics. She holds a master's degree in genetic counseling from Johns Hopkins University. Her involvement with the COTC is enriched by her previous community education experience, which includes over 100 lectures to the general public, students and medical professionals. She has served as the Principal Investigator for four grants that merged evolving science in the area of genetics and environmental cancer risks with public education and clinical research.
BCERC Role: & Co-Investigator of COTC

Joanne Schneider Sr. Research Assistant Department of Genone Science University of Cincinnati
BCERC Role: & Sr. Research Assistant of Biology Studies

Paul Succop Associate Professor Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati
BCERC Role: & Biostatisticians of Epidemiology Studies & Biostatistician of Biology Studies

Tara Wittrock Research Assistant Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati

Ms. Wittrock has worked in the UC Department of Environmental Health for more than eleven years as a full-time and contract employee, assisting with studies conducted by UC investigators as well as various research studies conducted by CCHMC investigators in the Department of General and Community Pediatrics. She has worked on studies focusing on childhood lead exposure and childhood asthma, collecting and processing biological and environmental samples in both field and clinical settings. Although her primary role on these studies has been as a Pediatric Phlebotomist, other duties have included data collection, recruitment and retention of study participants, and administration of developmental tests to children. Her expertise in blood collection among infants and young children helps to ensure that study participants participate in all aspects of the study protocol.
BCERC Role: & Phlebotomist of Epidemiology Studies

Lusine Yaghjyan , MD , MPh Research Assistant & Doctoral Candidate Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati

Dr.Yaghjyan’s research interests include the following: •determining the effects of genetic and environmental factors, personal characteristics and their complex interplay on changes in mammographic breast density; •identifying categories of women who are at increased risk for developing high breast density (risk factor for breast cancer); •determining the effect of environmental exposures, especially chemical toxins, on cancer incidence; and •assessing the effects of diet and different cooking methods on cancer risk.
BCERC Role: & Research Assistant of Epidemiology Studies