AACR Names New Editor-in-chief of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention

PHILADELPHIA – The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth A. Platz, ScD, MPH, as editor-in-chief of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, one of eight highly esteemed journals published by the AACR. She officially began her term as editor-in-chief on January 1.

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (CEBP) publishes original population-based research on cancer etiology, prevention, surveillance, and survivorship.

“The American Association for Cancer Research is happy to welcome Dr. Platz as editor-in-chief of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), chief executive officer of the AACR. “With more than 20 years of experience in the field of cancer epidemiology, Dr. Platz has worked extensively to integrate epidemiology and basic science to inform prevention and treatment strategies. Her vision for the journal will build on its past successes and continue to advance its reputation as the top cancer research journal in the area of population science.”

Platz is professor and deputy chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. Her work focuses on the use of molecular and genetic epidemiology approaches in understanding the mechanisms underlying prostate cancer incidence and progression. Also known for her leadership of multidisciplinary prostate cancer research teams, she is at the forefront of epidemiologic research on the role of inflammation in the development of prostate cancer, and on telomere length as a prognostic marker for poor outcome after treatment for prostate cancer. She was also appointed by the governor to the Maryland State Council on Cancer Control and is a member and former chair of the Maryland Cancer Collaborative, a group charged with prioritizing and implementing strategies from the state’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.

Platz has been an active member of the AACR since 1998, having served as an editorial board member of the AACR journal Cancer Research and, more recently, as a senior editor of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention before being named editor-in-chief. She has served on scientific program committees for many AACR meetings, including the AACR Annual Meeting.

“As an editor, I have always pursued excellence, including ensuring the quality of reviews provided to authors and the timeliness of these reviews,” Platz said. “Editorial excellence benefits authors, CEBP, the AACR, and the entire epidemiologic community.”

Platz received a doctorate in epidemiology at Harvard University and a Master of Public Health at Yale University. She is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society for Epidemiologic Research, and the American Society of Preventive Oncology. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Prostate Cancer Mentor of Excellence Award (2013), the Martin D. Abeloff, MD Scholar in Cancer Prevention (2010), and the David H. Bernstein Award for Promising Young Scientists (2000).