Timothy R. Rebbeck, PhD

Professor Rebbeck’s research has contributed to an understanding of the causes and prevention of cancer, with an emphasis on cancer genetics, prostate cancer disparities, and global health equity.

Professor Rebbeck has directed multiple molecular epidemiologic studies and international consortia to identify and characterize genes and other risk factors that are candidates for involvement in cancer etiology. His research involves translating this knowledge to cancer prevention and early detection. These include:

“Study of Clinical Outcomes, Risk and Ethnicity” (SCORE): a molecular epidemiological study to evaluate risk factors for prostate cancer, with a focus on genetic markers of etiology and outcomes in African, African American, and European American men. 

“Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate” (MADCaP) involves centers in North America, Europe, and Africa to address the global epidemic of prostate cancer in the African diaspora. MADCaP is engaged in a recently funded Specialized Program of Research Excellence for Cancer Health Disparities to develop precision interception approaches for aggressive prostate cancer in African American men. 

Studies of Hereditary Cancer Susceptibility and Prevention: Using large multicenter databases, I have identified genetic causes of hereditary and non-hereditary cancers, as well as the use of genetic information to inform precision interventions aimed at cancer prevention. This work has led to practice-changing approaches to cancer risk and mortality reduction in carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. I have also contributed to knowledge of modifiers of cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers to optimize risk and prevention strategies for breast, ovary, and prostate cancers