The American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) has selected Assistant Professor Bradley Zebrack, Ph.D., to receive its New Investigator Award for his extensive research on the impact of cancer on patients, survivors and their families.

"We're extremely pleased with the progress Brad has made in understanding the multidimensional needs of long-term cancer survivors and how this impacts our standard of care, especially as a growing number of our youth is living years beyond a cancer diagnosis," Dean Marilyn Flynn said. "This award is an honor well-deserved."

Dr. Zebrack's research is highly concentrated in the effects of cancer on the psychosocial growth and development of adolescents and young adults. In 2001, Dr. Zebrack received a National Research Service Award from the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health to examine psychosocial and behavioral outcomes in long-term survivors of childhood cancer. Currently, he is principal investigator on a Career Development Award funded through the National Cancer Institute entitled, "Quality of Life Assessment in Childhood Cancer Survivors," and is conducting an evaluation of "Teen Impact: A Program for Adolescents with Cancer" for The John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation.

A long-time survivor of Hodgkin's disease, Dr. Zebrack continues to serve on national boards and committees dedicated to enhancing the delivery of and access to quality health care for patients and their families. In August 2004, he received an exclusive invitation to be a speaker on the President's Cancer Panel in San Francisco, along with Lance Armstrong, six-time winner of the Tour de France and fellow cancer survivor. Presently, Dr. Zebrack is also in the process of developing a new instrument to assess the impact of cancer on long-term survivors' lives.

APOS is dedicated to the advancement, science and practice of the psychosocial care for people with cancer. Its mission is to explore innovative methods to enhance the recognition and treatment of psychological, social, behavioral and spiritual aspects of cancer, specifically addressing the special needs of children, the elderly and underserved.