The Detroit GEMS research team is made up of doctors, interviewers, phlebotomists, laboratory technicians, data analysts, project coordinators and research assistants. Every person working on Detroit GEMS is passionate about the role they play in advancing cancer research.

Dr. Ann Schwartz is co-principal investigator of the Detroit GEMS Study and has studied cancer and health disparities for over two decades. Dr. Schwartz has more than 25 years of experience conducting studies of the genetics underlying cancer. Her studies have primarily focused on the genetic and molecular epidemiology of lung cancer, and she has also studied other cancers in large multicenter studies. Dr. Schwartz is the Deputy Center Director and Executive Vice President for Research and Academic Affairs at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Professor and Associate Chair for the Department of Oncology, and Director for the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System.

Dr. Jennifer Beebe-Dimmer is the principal investigator of the Detroit GEMS Pilot Study and co-principal investigator of the Detroit GEMS Study. Dr. Beebe-Dimmer is Leader of the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program and the Scientific Director of the Epidemiology Research Core at Karmanos Cancer Institute. She holds an appointment in the WSU School of Medicine’s Department of Oncology with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Urology. Her research program broadly addresses cancer health disparities, primarily racial disparities in genitourinary cancer incidence and outcomes after diagnosis.

Dr. Kathleen Cooney is the Co-Principal Investigator of Detroit GEMS. Dr. Cooney is Chair of the Duke Department of Medicine. She is a medical oncologist focused in caring for men with prostate cancer, and is internationally known for her investigations focused on the genetic epidemiology of prostate cancer. Her research led to the important discovery of a recurrent mutation in the HOXB13 gene that increases the chances of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and is estimated to account for 5 percent of hereditary prostate cancer cases worldwide. Dr. Cooney’s research continues with a focus on identifying germline mutations associated with lethal and aggressive prostate cancer as well as prostate cancer in African American men.

Felicity Harper, PhD

              Professor, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine

             Clinical Psychologist, Supportive Care Service, Karmanos Cancer Institute

 Co-Leader, Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute

Kristen S. Purrington, PhD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Hayley S. Thompson, PhD

Professor, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Associate Center Director, Community Outreach & Engagement, Karmanos Cancer Institute

Director, Office of Cancer Health Equity & Community Engagement (OCHECE), Karmanos Cancer Institute

Data Managers

Chrissy Lusk

Julie Ruterbusch

Angie Wenzlaff

Project Managers

Tara Baird

Stephanie Pandolfi

Interviewers

Yvonne Bush

Mary Beth Kolbicz

Dave Pandolfi

Phlebotomy

Arkeshia Barnes

Laboratory Mangers

Valerie Ratliff

Emily Reyff