Han Named NCI Senior Scientist

Dr. Paul Han has been named senior scientist in the Behavioral Research Program (BRP), Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the National Cancer Institute. 

BRP initiates, supports and evaluates a comprehensive program ranging from basic behavioral research to the development, testing and dissemination of interventions in areas such as tobacco use, screening, dietary behavior and sun protection. 

In addition to his senior scientist role, Han will serve as an adjunct investigator in NCI’s Clinical Genetics Branch in the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.

Han’s background bridges the disciplines of behavioral and health services research. His research interests include risk communication, shared decision-making, predictive modeling and examining clinical problems in cancer care, genomic medicine and palliative and end-of-life care.

“With Paul’s expertise in shared decision-making, health communication and most recently lung screening, I believe he offers an exceptionally useful clinical perspective to our work at NCI,” said Dr. William Klein, BRP associate director. 

Prior to joining NCI, Han served as the director of the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute, and associate professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. He led statewide initiatives to promote lung cancer prevention and screening and to study the implementation of cancer genomic testing in clinical practice. Han has authored more than 150 papers and book chapters in peer-reviewed medical literature and has been active in initiatives to promote shared decision-making and teach risk communication skills to medical students and physicians.

Han earned his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. He received a master of arts in bioethics and a master of public health from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed internal medicine residency training at the University of California, Los Angeles, and an NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship.