Marvella Ford, Ph.D.

Professor

Public Health Sciences

Cancer Focus

My research focus is on developing and testing interventions to increase the participation of focal populations in cancer research and to increase adherence to evidence-based cancer prevention/control and treatment strategies.

Research Program

Cancer Prevention & Control

Contact

Research Interest

I am a behavioral scientist with a deep commitment to cancer health equity. My research focuses on developing and testing interventions to increase participation of diverse populations in cancer research and to promote adherence to evidence-based cancer prevention, control, and treatment strategies. My work spans a wide range of initiatives—from HPV vaccinations for children to cancer screening for older adults—and has had a measurable impact on increasing screening rates and reducing cancer mortality in South Carolina. I have led NCI-funded PLCO Cancer Screening Trials and have led several ancillary studies funded by the CDC and NCI aimed at improving clinical trial participation among African Americans.

Positions and Scientific Appointments

2017-Present: Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 2017-Present: Professor & SmartState Endowed Chair for Prostate Cancer Research, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC 2013-Present: Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 2005-2017: Associate Director, Community Outreach Office, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 2005-2013: Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 2003-2005: Associate Director, Houston Center for Quality of Care and Utilization Studies, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 2002-2005: Assistant Professor, Houston Center for Quality of Care and Utilization Studies, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 1995-2002: Associate Staff Investigator, Center for Medical Treatment Effectiveness Programs and Center for Health System Studies, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI

Education

Postdoctoral

January 1994

Public Health, Aging

National Institute on Aging, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Predoctoral

January 1992

Social Science, Aging

National Institute on Aging, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

PhD

January 1992

Social Work and Psychology

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

January 1989

Social Psychology

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

MSW

January 1987

Policy and Planning

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

January 1986

Human Service Studies

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

View Full Bibliography