Paul Spellman, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Medicine and Department of Human Genetics. He uses genetic and genomic approaches to understand the processes by which cancer develops, monitor disease, and to identify therapeutic strategies. He focuses on using population genetics to help determine who is at risk for cancer, how to computationally analyze genomic data to identify early changes in cancers, and how to accurately screen different populations for the disease. He also works to inform the public about the ways that genetics shape cancer risk. Spellman received his Ph.D. in genetics from Stanford University.