Dr Yin Cao
Meet Yin, Co-Team Lead of PROSPECT
Dr Yin Cao, ScD, MPH is a molecular cancer epidemiologist and Associate Professor of Surgery and Medicine at Washington University in St Louis and Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center.
Her lab applies rigorous epidemiologic methods and leverages large cohorts, genetic consortia, real-world evidence, and high-throughput technologies to investigate the etiology and risk factors throughout the life course for early-onset cancers. Her work led the field of early-onset colorectal cancer by uncovering risk factors that may contribute to the rising incidence, such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic comorbid conditions, prolonged sitting, poor diet, sugar sweetened beverages, alcohol drinking pattern, and birth via cesarean delivery. Her team also focuses on prominent issues in the early detection and survivorship of early-onset cancers. Besides etiologic research, she is also committed to bridging the gap between evidence and implementation, through advancing the integration of epidemiologic evidence with microsimulation modeling.
Yin’s work has been recognized by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Young Investigator Award, American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Young Investigator Award in Clinical Science, 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award, and National Cancer Institute MERIT award. She serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of National Cancer Institute.