Caryn Lerman, PhD
Caryn Lerman, PhD, has been appointed Director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, also serving as Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Lerman was the John H. Glick Professor for Cancer Research and Vice Dean for Strategic Initiatives in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
In collaboration with the faculty, staff, trainees, and leadership at the USC Keck School of Medicine, Dr. Lerman aims to encourage the provision of high-value, person-centered precision oncology care, advance an innovative and entrepreneurial research culture, strengthen the translational research infrastructure and environment, and foster collaborative research across the Keck School, USC, and beyond.
Dr. Lerman will focus on ensuring the renewal of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Grant, with Comprehensive status, as well as promote initiatives that enhance interdisciplinary team science; support the infrastructure to accelerate cancer discovery science and development of innovative therapies; and develop innovative models for cancer risk assessment, prevention, and outreach.
Dr. Lerman is recognized for her own cancer prevention research that bridges the fields of neuroscience, pharmacology, genetics, and behavioral science. She produced the first empirical data on decision-making and outcomes with genetic testing for cancer susceptibility and was among the first to publish evidence for the genetic basis of cancer risk behaviors. ■
