The Best of the AACR Journals Collection: Author Profiles

Erin Van Blarigan

Title & Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Most-cited Article:
Marine ω−3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid and Fish Intake after Colon Cancer Diagnosis and Survival: CALGB 89803 (Alliance)

Q: What is your primary area of study/research?
A: I am a nutritional epidemiologist and my research focuses on the relation between lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity, and cancer morbidity and mortality. My goal is to provide evidence for lifestyle guidelines and interventions to improve cancer survivorship care.

Q: What influenced your decision to embark on a research career?
A: I was, and still am, interested in improving health at a population-level. I also was curious to understand whether, and how, lifestyle choices impact disease risk and outcomes.

Q; What excites you most about your research area?
A: There is a lot of potential for people with cancer to improve their health and quality-of-life through being active and eating well. A lot of work still needs to be done to figure out how to support cancer survivors so that they can achieve and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Q: What are your hobbies or passions outside of work?
A: Consistent with my research theme, I am passionate about exercise and good food. I enjoy doing CrossFit with my husband, reading and playing with our two young kids, and cooking with friends.