U.S. National Institutes of Health
Last Updated: 01/22/09

About the Acting Associate Director

James W. Jacobson, Ph.D.

Dr. James W. Jacobson, Ph.D., has been the Acting Associate Director of the Cancer Diagnosis Program (CDP) since July 2008. He is also Chief of the CDP Diagnostic Biomarkers and Technology Branch, where he is responsible for developing and overseeing grants to identify and evaluate biomarkers that may aid physicians in making clinical management decisions for cancer patients and grants supporting the development of technologies for evaluation of molecular alterations in tumors.

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Overview

The Cancer Diagnosis Program (CDP) strives to improve the diagnosis and assessment of cancer by effectively moving new scientific advances into clinical practice. The program stimulates, coordinates, and funds resources and research on diagnostics and improved technologies to better characterize cancers in order to develop information that can aid cancer patients and their physicians in clinical decision-making.

CDP supports research at medical centers, hospitals, businesses, and universities throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries.

CDP supports research at medical centers, hospitals, businesses, and universities throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries.

CDP is divided into three branches:

  • Diagnostic Biomarkers and Technology Branch
  • Resources Development Branch
  • Diagnostics Evaluation Branch

CDP, often in cooperation with other programs of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), offers a range of initiatives that encourage and support research in cancer diagnostics and related development of technology and specimen resources. CDP administered approximately 400 funded grants in 2005.