Newswise — TAMPA, Fla. – Peter A. Kanetsky, Ph.D., M.P.H., chair and program leader of Cancer Epidemiology at the Moffitt Cancer Center, has been elected as the new president for the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO). He will serve as president-elect before taking the post in March 2017. ASPO is a multi-disciplinary society which, through a variety of professional education activities, is committed to accelerating progress towards cancer prevention and control. Kanetsky previously served on the executive committee of ASPO.

A member of the Moffitt faculty since January 2014, Kanetsky’s research focuses on inherited genetics and the manner in which genes and the environment interact to influence the development of melanoma and testicular germ cell tumors. He also investigates how inherited genetics relate to and inform disease progression including somatic genetics and metabolomics and longer-term survival outcomes. He currently holds federal funding from the National Cancer Institute that supports, in part, the ongoing research of two large, international consortia: GenoMEL, an international melanoma genetics consortium; and TECAC, an international testicular cancer consortium.

About Moffitt Cancer CenterLocated in Tampa, Moffitt is one of only 45 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research, its contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is the top-ranked cancer hospital in Florida and has been listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best Hospitals” for cancer care since 1999. With more than 4,600 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $1.9 billion. For more information, visit www.MOFFITT.org, and follow the Moffitt momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.