Our Faculty

Dr. Habibul Ahsan's research focus is on the effects of environmental agents and their interplay with genetic and other host factors in the development of cancer and other disorders. Dr. Ahsan has been conducting a series of large epidemiological and clinical studies in Bangladesh to examine the health effects of arsenic exposure and evaluating strategies for their prevention. He also led a number of studies in the U.S. examining the role of genetic susceptibility and its interactions with environmental factors in the development of breast and other cancers. Dr. Ahsan is member or chairperson of several federal and non-federal expert panels.

Mailman School Affiliations:

• NIEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan 

University Affiliations:

• Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Co-Director, Molecular Epidemiology Program   

Additional Affiliations:

• Chair, Polymorphism Working Group, NCI Breast Cancer Family Registry
• Member, NIH Scientific Review Panels
• Member, DOD Breast Cancer Research Program Expert Panel
• Member, American Association for Cancer Research
• Member, American Society of Human Genetics

Carcinogen Metabolism Gene Variants and Breast Cancer Risk
As principal investigator, Dr. Ahsan directs the research activities to examine the role of variations in carcinogen metabolism genes and their interactions with environmental exposures in breast cancer.

Hormonal Gene Variants and Breast Cancer Risk
As principal investigator, Dr. Ahsan directs research activities that examine the role of variations in hormone related genes and their interactions with hormonal and reproductive factors in breast cancer.

Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training New York Chapter
As research director, Dr. Ahsan coordinates research activities on promoting and preventing cancer among Asian Americans in New York City.

Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study [HEALS]
As principal investigator, Dr. Ahsan directs a large epidemiological longitudinal study to investigate the health effects of arsenic exposure and their prevention in Bangladesh.

Countries: Bangladesh

Genetic Susceptibility to Arsenic-induced Skin Cancer
As principal investigator, Dr. Ahsan directs a series of epidemiologic studies to investigate the role of genetic susceptibility in the effects of arsenic exposure on pre-cancerous and cancerous tumors of skin in the Bangladesh population.

Countries: Bangladesh

Chemoprevention of Arsenic-induced Skin Cancer
As principal investigator, Dr. Ahsan directs clinical research studies to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional supplements in preventing the effects of arsenic exposure on pre-cancerous and cancerous tumors of skin in the Bangladesh population.

Countries: Bangladesh