Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Distinguished Lecture Series

“Lifestyle Matters: Advancing Cancer Prevention and Control”

Monica Baskin, Ph.D., FSBM, FABMR

Director, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center 

Associate Dean for Cancer Innovation

Professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Professor Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Virgina Commonwealth University School of Public Health

Hosted by: Sandi Pruitt, Ph.D.

Friday, September 4^th | Noon

NB5.124 Seminar Room (In-person Preferred)

Hybrid:

ZOOM Meeting

Meeting ID: 955 4614 2935

Passcode: 446287

About Dr. Monica Baskin:

Monica L. Baskin, PhD is a Professor of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care and Associate Dean for Cancer Innovation in the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. She was recently named Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center after serving in the interim role since March 2026 and serving as Deputy Director for Research beginning in February 2025. Dr. Baskin received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology from Emory University, and a Master of Science in community counseling and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Georgia State University. She is a licensed psychologist and nationally recognized leader in behavioral medicine and cancer prevention whose research focuses on advancing health equity and the reduction of disease burden. Her research utilizes community-engaged methods to better understand and address individual, family, and environmental factors associated with the prevention and control of disease. For over two decades, her research program has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), and other regional and local foundations and government agencies. Dr. Baskin is a fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) and the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research (ABMR). She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), is past president of the SBM and recently served as Chair of the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Continuous Update Project Global Expert Committee on Cancer Incidence. Dr. Baskin is a founding member of the Science of Community Outreach and Engagement (SoCOE) Alliance and has previously served in cancer center senior leadership roles focused on community outreach and engagement.