Gloria M. Petersen PhD

Dr. Gloria Petersen, Ph.D., is trained in population and medical genetics with a focus on gastrointestinal cancer. Her research passion is solving the twin problems of risk stratification and early detection of pancreatic cancer. Her interests and expertise are in the application of genetic epidemiology to cancer etiology, including the study of cancer families for gene discovery and genetic testing to identify high-risk individuals.

She has also worked collaboratively with Mayo Clinic colleagues to show that diabetes is an early harbinger of pancreatic cancer, such that new-onset diabetics should be targeted for cancer screening. Her research has created opportunities for clarifying the bioethical and behavioral implications of cancer genetic testing. For example, communicating genetic test results to the family members of deceased research participants who had aggressive cancer is quite challenging.