Carolyn J. Heckman, Ph.D., Joins Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Population Science Division

PHILADELPHIA (Nov. 28, 2006) – Carolyn J. Heckman, Ph.D., of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., a behavioral researcher, has joined Fox Chase Cancer Center’s division of population science as an associate member. Heckman’s research interests include skin cancer prevention as well as tobacco and other substance-use issues. Her current focus is a grant from the National Cancer Institute to investigate the use of ultraviolet-filtered photographs showing underlying facial skin damage to encourage skin protection among young adults.

Heckman comes to Fox Chase from Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., where she was assistant professor in the departments of psychiatry, psychology and internal medicine.

Heckman received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brown University and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Iowa, both with honors.

She received the Delabarre Award for Outstanding Research/Scholarship in Psychology at Brown University in 1994 and a full Presidential Fellowship from 1996 to 2001 to the University of Iowa. She was also a postdoctoral fellow in health psychology and substance abuse at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Heckman is board-certified by the Virginia Board of Psychology. She has written and been invited to speak on a wide range of topics, from tobacco use to excessive tanning as a form of substance dependence. She has been involved in several grant-funded projects, including three from the Tobacco Settlement.

Fox Chase Cancer Center was founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as the nation’s first cancer hospital. In 1974, Fox Chase became one of the first institutions designated as a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. Fox Chase conducts basic, clinical, population and translational research; programs of prevention, detection and treatment of cancer; and community outreach. For more information about Fox Chase activities, visit the Center’s web site at www.fccc.edu or call 1-888-FOX CHASE.