Staff: Robin C. Vanderpool, DrPH

Robin C. Vanderpool

Robin C. Vanderpool, DrPH

(she/her/hers)
Branch Chief, HCIRB
Organization: Contact:
robin.vanderpool@nih.gov
240-276-6558

Robin C. Vanderpool, Dr.P.H., is chief of the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch (HCIRB) in the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). As branch chief, Dr. Vanderpool leads the development of health communication research initiatives in areas such as cancer communication surveillance, patient-provider communication, cancer risk communication, health literacy, social/new media, and connected health. Dr. Vanderpool also contributes to the Division's efforts to support NCI-designated cancer centers' community outreach and engagement activities.

Dr. Vanderpool's scientific background includes both formative and interventional research on HPV vaccination, cancer screening, cancer survivorship, implementation science, and rural cancer control. Prior to joining NCI, Dr. Vanderpool was a professor in the Department of Health, Behavior & Society, part of the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. She also held leadership positions at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, as the Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement and Co-Director of the Behavioral and Community-Based Research Shared Resource Facility.

Dr. Vanderpool earned her Doctorate of Public Health, with a concentration in Health Behavior, from the University of Kentucky. She received her Masters of Public Health in Public Health Education from Western Kentucky University and her Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from Centre College



Current and/or past BRP mentees include Heather D'Angelo, Nicole Senft Everson and Katie Heley.


Scientific Interests

  • Rural cancer control
  • HPV vaccination
  • Digital health
  • Patient-provider communication
  • Community outreach and engagement
  • Cancer control across the continuum of care

Selected Publications and Presentations

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