Mission
The Basic Biobehavioral and Psychological Sciences Branch supports research fundamental to understanding human behaviors, social context, decision-making, and clinical practices associated with cancer etiology, prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
We cultivate a portfolio of basic experimental studies involving humans or animals, observational studies, and mechanistic clinical trials.
We strive to ensure that fundamental knowledge arising from our portfolio has the potential to reduce the burden of cancer at the individual and population levels.
Lived experience and social identity shape how knowledge is generated, interpreted, and translated for public health benefit. We have a scientific and ethical imperative to nurture and sustain a broad pool of talented researchers engaged in biobehavioral and psychological science research that informs cancer prevention and control.
News and Highlights
Featured Funding Announcement
Understanding Expectancies in Cancer Symptom Management
PAR-25-254 (R01 Clinical Trial Required)
See More AnnouncementsScientific Priorities
The branch supports the systematic analysis and investigation of the molecular, cellular, neural, psychological, and social processes underlying health-related behaviors and decisions identified as attributable risks for cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality. Research that employs observational or causal experimental designs in controlled or natural conditions with human or animal subjects is supported. Studies that combine various levels of analysis and examine reciprocal interactions among levels are encouraged.
Research domains cultivated by BBPSB:
- Cognition, emotion, judgment, and decision-making
- Sensation, attention, and perception
- Biological pathways through which psychosocial stressors influence cancer biology and outcomes
- Methodology and measurement of biobehavioral moderators and mediators
- Identification and validation of psychological and biobehavioral mechanisms or processes hypothesized to be measurable, malleable, and implicated in behavior change
- Short- and long-term effects of cancer and cancer treatment
- Ethical issues in behavioral research
- Psychological and behavioral aspects of cancer treatment adherence
Research Areas
Initiatives and Measures
BBPSB Grant Portfolio and Funding Opportunities
Featured Grantee
Tobacco use, which is the leading cause of preventable premature death worldwide, affects too many cancer survivors, their families, and friends. My goal is to find ways to better promote smoking cessation among individuals who have received a cancer diagnosis and their social network members, including families, friends, and others.”Hermine Poghosyan, PhD, MPH
Meet Our Staff
Our team of accomplished scientists and research associates, fellows, and administrators is dedicated to advancing behavioral science research in cancer prevention and control.
BBPSB Staff