National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Center for Cancer Research (CCR)

Director: Tom Misteli, Ph.D.

Scientific Director for Basic Research: Glenn Merlino, Ph.D.

Acting Clinical Director for Clinical Research: James L. Gulley

The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) was established to inform and empower the entire cancer research community by making breakthrough discoveries in basic and clinical cancer research and by developing them into novel therapeutic interventions for adults and children afflicted with cancer or infected with HIV. CCR works toward this goal by:

  • Performing rigorous basic scientific research to discover the causes and mechanisms of cancer and to understand the molecular changes that occur in cancer initiation and progression
  • Translating these advances rapidly from the laboratory to the clinic to develop lifesaving and life-prolonging interventions
  • Developing innovative technologies that enable earlier and more accurate detection, diagnosis, and treatment
  • Maintaining a strong focus on rare cancers and cancers in underserved patient populations worldwide
  • Sharing expertise, scientific data, and technologies to broaden the impact of our work and enhance productivity of the cancer research community in the U.S. and abroad
  • Providing an unparalleled scientific environment to cultivate and train the physician-scientists and biomedical researchers of the 21st century

Learn more about the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research.


Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG)

Scientific Director: Stephen J. Chanock, M.D.

The Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) is a global leader in cancer epidemiology and genetics research. With its cadre of renowned epidemiologists, geneticists, and biostatisticians, DCEG conducts population and multidisciplinary research to discover the genetic and environmental determinants of cancer and new approaches to cancer prevention. The Division’s research portfolio informs biological concepts, clinical practice, and public health policy. DCEG is uniquely positioned to conduct epidemiologic research projects that are high risk in nature and may require long-term commitments of scientific staff and resources, a coordinated national programmatic approach, or a rapid response to emerging scientific issues.

Through its programs in cancer epidemiology, genetics, statistics, and related areas, the Division:

  • Conducts a broadly based program of high-quality, high-impact research
  • Maintains a national and international perspective, giving priority to emergent scientific opportunities identified through clinical, laboratory, and epidemiologic observations, as well as to public health concerns identified by the Institute, Congress, regulatory agencies, and other appropriate bodies
  • Develops infrastructures, resources, and strategic partnerships in molecular epidemiology across NCI, NIH, and the extramural community
  • Trains the next generation of scientists in cancer epidemiology and related fields

Learn more about the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.

This page was last updated on Friday, June 3, 2022