Gretchen Gierach

American cancer epidemiologist

Gretchen L. Gierach is an American cancer epidemiologist known for her research on breast cancer and mammographic density. She is a senior investigator and the Deputy Chief of the Integrative Tumor Epidemiology Branch at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Early life and education

Gierach was born and raised in the United States. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Pennsylvania State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biobehavioral Health. She then attended the University of Pittsburgh, obtaining a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. Gierach completed her doctoral studies at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Epidemiology.

Career

Gretchen Gierach

Gierach began her career at the National Cancer Institute, where she has held various positions. Her research primarily focuses on the etiology of breast cancer, with a particular interest in the role of mammographic density as a risk factor. She has contributed significantly to understanding how hormonal and reproductive factors influence breast cancer risk.

As a senior investigator, Gierach leads several large-scale studies, including the Breast Radiology Evaluation and Study of Tissues (BREAST) project. This research aims to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying mammographic density and its association with breast cancer.

Research contributions

Gierach's work has advanced the field of cancer epidemiology by integrating molecular and genetic data with traditional epidemiological approaches. Her studies have explored the impact of hormone replacement therapy on breast cancer risk and the potential for mammographic density to serve as a biomarker for breast cancer susceptibility.

She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and is recognized for her collaborative efforts with researchers worldwide. Gierach's research has implications for breast cancer prevention and early detection strategies.

Professional affiliations

Gierach is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER). She frequently presents her findings at national and international conferences, contributing to the broader scientific discourse on cancer epidemiology.

Related pages

• Breast cancer
• Mammographic density
• National Cancer Institute
• Epidemiology