My research interests are within the area of cancer epidemiology. Specifically, I am interested in the impact of young age on disease characteristics and prognosis. When people are diagnosed with cancer at a young age the course of disease tends to be different than it is for people diagnosed in later years. Hormonal exposures vary by age and may be influencing the progression and prognosis of some cancers in young people. The proportion of disease attributed to genetic factors also differs by age. Furthermore, some issues faced by young cancer survivors including fertility, effects on family and young children of cancer patients, and quality of life are unique. My research goals are to gain a better understanding of age-related disparities and the role of hormonal, genetic and other risk factors in cancer development and survival in young people, so that targeted interventions may be developed to reduce morbidity and improve the quality of life among young cancer patients.