Research Team

There are three groups of research doctors working together on this study:

Clinical Genetics Branch (CGB)

As part of the National Cancer Institute, the main goal of CGB research is to improve the medical care, quality of life, and survival of persons who are at increased genetic risk of cancer. Additionally, the CGB:

• Conducts research related to genetic factors which alter the risk of cancer in humans
• Has a special interest in the medical problems faced by women who are genetically at risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer
• Has scientific responsibility for the surgical portion of the Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Study

Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG)

The GOG is a partnership of cancer research institutions supported by the National Cancer Institute that promotes high-quality clinical trials in the field of gynecologic cancers (i.e., the cancers which affect women). Additionally, the GOG:

• Is committed to maintaining the highest standards in developing and carrying out clinical trials
• Has been at the forefront of developing more effective treatment for women who develop ovarian cancer
• Is very involved in studies related to cancer prevention and control
• Will provide the clinical trials system and organization that is essential to doing a project like the Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Study

Cancer Genetics Network (CGN)

The CGN is a national network of centers which has been funded by NCI to study inherited cancers. Researchers at the CGN centers are working together to learn more about cancer and genetics, including research on early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer in high-risk women. The CGN has the scientific responsibility for the screening portion of the Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Study.

Each member of the research team brings their own special expertise to the study:

Mark H. Greene, M.D., Study Co-Chair

Dr. Greene, Chief of the Clinical Genetics Branch, is a medical oncologist with nearly 30 years' experience in the study and management of persons at increased genetic risk of cancer. He is a GOG Principal Investigator, and is the scientific leader of the surgical portion of the Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Study.

Steven L. Skates, Ph.D., Study Co-Chair

Dr. Skates is an Associate Professor of Biostatistics at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, with a career-long interest in ovarian cancer screening. Dr. Skates is the developer of ROCA. He is a CGN Principal Investigator, and is the scientific leader of the screening portion of the Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Study.

Marion Piedmonte, M.S., Study Statistician

Ms. Piedmonte is the GOG statistical and Data Center Lead Statistician for GOG-199.

Phuong Mai, M.D., M.S., Study Co-Investigator

Dr. Mai is a Staff Clinician in the Clinical Genetics Branch, NCI. She is an oncologist and cancer geneticist, who is coordinating genetic and pathology studies for GOG-199.

Martee Hensley, M.D., M.Sc., Study Co-Investigator

Dr. Hensley is a medical oncologist and Assistant Attending Physician in the Department of Medical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Dr. Hensley is an expert in the medical treatment of women's cancers. She is the scientific leader of the quality of life component of the Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Study.

Karen Lu, M.D., Study Co-Investigator

Dr. Lu is a gynecologic oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Lu is an expert in the surgical treatment of women's cancers, and is an active investigator with both the GOG and the CGN. She has a special interest in hereditary aspects of women's cancers, including ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Mark Sherman, M.D., Study Co-Investigator

Dr. Sherman is a gynecologic pathologist and Cancer Expert in the Hormonal and Reproductive Epidemiology Branch of the National Cancer Institute. He has a special interest in the pathology and causes of ovarian and fallopian tube cancer, and serves as one of the two reference pathologists for the Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Study.

Mitchell Gail, M.D., Ph.D., Study Co-Investigator

Dr. Gail, Chief of the Biostatistics Branch of the National Cancer Institute, is a statistician with a special interest in cancer risk assessment. He serves as CGB's primary statistical consultant for the Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Trial.

Dianne Finkelstein, Ph.D., Study Co-Investigator

Dr. Finkelstein is an Associate Professor and statistician in the Department of Biostatistics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. She is the director of the CGN's Statistical Coordinating Center, and serves as the CGN's primary statistical consultant for the Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Trial.