Debra T. Silverman

American biostatistician

Debra T. Silverman

Debra T. Silverman is an American biostatistician and epidemiologist known for her research in occupational and environmental causes of cancer. She has made significant contributions to the understanding of cancer risks associated with various exposures, particularly in the context of bladder cancer and lung cancer.

Early life and education

Debra T. Silverman was born in the United States. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Wellesley College, where she developed an interest in public health and statistics. She went on to earn her master's degree in biostatistics from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Silverman completed her doctoral studies in epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she focused on the epidemiology of cancer.

Career

Silverman began her career at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where she has held various positions over the years. Her work at the NCI has been pivotal in identifying occupational and environmental risk factors for cancer. She has led numerous studies investigating the links between cancer and exposures such as diesel exhaust, arsenic, and other carcinogens.

Research on bladder cancer

Silverman's research on bladder cancer has been instrumental in identifying occupational exposures that increase the risk of developing this disease. Her studies have highlighted the role of aromatic amines and other chemicals used in industries such as dye manufacturing and rubber production. She has also explored the genetic factors that may interact with environmental exposures to influence bladder cancer risk.

Research on lung cancer

In the field of lung cancer, Silverman has conducted extensive research on the carcinogenic effects of diesel exhaust. Her work has provided critical evidence supporting the classification of diesel exhaust as a human carcinogen. She has also investigated the impact of smoking and other environmental factors on lung cancer risk.

Awards and honors

Throughout her career, Silverman has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to cancer epidemiology. She is a fellow of the American Statistical Association and has been recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for her work on occupational cancer risks.

Related pages

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• National Cancer Institute
• Occupational cancer