Bettina F Drake, Ph.D., M.S.W.

Approved Mentor (Primary, Mentoring Committee)
Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Drake is Professor of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in the Division of Public Health Sciences and Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at Siteman Cancer Center.  Dr. Drake is a cancer epidemiologist and health disparities researcher with over 16 years of community-based research experience.  She has maintained consistent cancer disparities funding as PI since 2009, receiving funding from the National Cancer Institute and the Prostate Cancer Research Program of the Department of Defense.  Her research focuses on identifying preventive strategies to reduce disparities. The objectives of her research program are: (1) to utilize community-based approaches to design, implement and disseminate research information; (2) to promote education and awareness of research and research participation in minority communities; and (3) to identify the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for cancer and other chronic diseases as well as the at-risk groups for these factors. The combination of her community-based and epidemiology expertise strengthen the effectiveness of her leadership for this component.