Parisa Tehranifar, DrPH

Parisa Tehranifar, DrPH, is a cancer epidemiologist with additional training and expertise in sociomedical sciences and implementation science. Dr. Tehranifar strives to reduce the burden of cancer with an emphasis on populations facing structural barriers to health, including racial and ethnic marginalization and socioeconomic disadvantage. Dr. Tehranifar’s research program focuses on: (1) understanding social determinants and mechanisms of cancer risk and outcomes and related chronic disease risk factors, (2) optimizing equitable cancer prevention and screening (3) working to identify and remedy unequal distribution of benefits and harms of emerging knowledge and interventions, and (4) promoting the adoption of evidence-based interventions or policies into public health and healthcare practice. She prioritizes community perspectives and participatory approaches and aims to integrate them in advancing the science and practice of cancer control and beyond. Her current studies, funded by NCI and NIHMD, contribute to improving breast cancer risk stratification, improving the implementation of breast and cervical cancer screening, and intervention studies to reduce risk factors for multiple chronic diseases. 

Dr. Tehranifar directs the DrPH program in Epidemiology and teaches applied data analysis and field methods in epidemiologic research, and co-leads the the epidemiology department’s Chronic Disease Epidemiology Unit. She is the Co-Director of the Community Outreach and Engagement Office of the Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and a member of its Population Science Program.

Select Projects and Collaborations

New York Mammographic Density (NY MaDe) Study: This ongoing study investigates mammographic breast density and breast cancer screening and prevention behaviors in a socially diverse population.

Rethink Initiative: This project focuses on understanding and addressing the over-use of breast cancer screening in older women.

Integrating Mammograms in Analyses of Genes and Environment in Sisters (IMAGES): Building on the prospective family history-enriched Sister Study cohort, study examines the contribution of longitudinal mammographic breast density patterns to improving clinical risk stratification and performance of several risk prediction models that form the basis for risk-based breast cancer surveillance and preventive care. In collaboration with Black Women’s Health Study investigators, we are expanding this work to evaluate the application of mammogram-based deep learning methods for improving risk stratification and screening (ERASE BC).

Improve Chronic disease Outcomes through Multi-level and Multi-generational approaches Unifying Novel Interventions and Training for health EquitY (COMMUNITY) Center: The mission of the COMMUNITY Center is to reduce health disparities in multiple chronic diseases in the New York City Region through research and sustainable interventions that incorporate individual, interpersonal, community and societal approaches.

DISRUPT: Diversity & Inclusion in Scientific Research Underpinning Prevention & Therapeutic Trials: This project is working to improve representation of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, People of Color, people with health conditions and impairments, and LGBTQ+ persons in clinical trials by “disrupting” norms at the community, patient and provider, and research pipeline levels.

Center for SOcial CApital (SoCa): The mission of the SoCa Center is to bring together academic institutions, community-based organizations, and a diverse group of stakeholders to reduce cancer health inequities due to persistent poverty in New York City by promoting multi-generational health and increasing workforce diversity.