Ellen R. Gritz, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Behavioral Science and Olla S. Stribling Distinguished Chair for Cancer Research at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.  She is an established leader in cancer prevention and control research and internationally known investigator. Dr. Gritz has published extensively on cigarette smoking behavior, including prevention, cessation, pharmacologic mechanisms, effects on weight and special issues of concern to women and high-risk groups, including ethnic minorities, youth, cancer patients, and persons living with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Gritz is currently PI of an NCI-funded R01 grant to evaluate an innovative, combined behavioral and pharmacological smoking cessation intervention in an HIV-positive, low income, tri-ethnic population. This is a medical high-risk, underserved population with very elevated smoking prevalence (50% or higher), and to which little attention has been directed in terms of smoking behavior.  Other areas of her work include skin cancer prevention, psychosocial aspects of genetic testing and counseling for hereditary cancers, and quality of life in cancer patients, survivors, and family members. Dr Gritz has served on numerous advisory boards, including NCI and several comprehensive cancer centers. Most recently, she is the 2008 recipient of the Alma Dea Morani, M.D. Renaissance Woman Award, an award that honors an outstanding physician or scientist. In October 2007, she was elected to become a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). She was a member of the IOM’s National Cancer Policy Board (1997-1999) and the Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice (1995-2005). Since 2002 Dr. Gritz has served on the Board of Directors of the American Legacy Foundation, the large, non-profit public health foundation established in 1998 as part of the Master Settlement Agreement, and became Vice-Chair of the Board on July 1, 2005. Dr. Gritz was President of the Society for Research in Nicotine and Tobacco, 2006-2007, and Immediate Past President, 2007-2008. She was President of the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) from 1993-1995. Dr. Gritz was the first recipient of ASPO’s Joseph W. Cullen Memorial Award (1992) for outstanding research in smoking, and received ASPO’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 2001. In 2002, she received The Margaret and James A. Elkins, Jr. Faculty Achievement Award in Cancer Prevention from M. D. Anderson. In 2006, Dr. Gritz was the recipient of the annual Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (BPW) Texas Award. Dr. Gritz was an invited speaker at the President's Cancer Panel – Promoting Healthy Lifestyles to Reduce Risk of Cancer (February 12, 2007).  She is a fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine and the American Psychological Association, and is Senior Editor for Behavioral Sciences of the journal, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention.  Dr. Gritz's bibliography lists over 268 journal publications, books, book chapters, teaching aids and other publications. Her latest projects include a book chapter in the ASCO Cancer Prevention Curriculum (2007) and a chapter in the upcoming edition of Principles and Practice of Oncology 8th edition, DeVita VI, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA, editors (2008).

Contact information:  Ellen R. Gritz, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Olla S. Stribling Distinguished Chair for Cancer Research, Department of Behavioral Science – Unit 1330, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Ph.D., P.O. Box 301439, Houston, Texas 77230-1439, 713-745-3187, Fax: 713-794-4470, Email: egritz@mdanderson.org