The research of Ping Yang, M.D., Ph.D., is focused on the epidemiology of complex diseases. It encompasses causes, risk factors, natural history, clinical course, treatment outcomes and quality of life. Her team's research goals are to reduce cancer occurrence, diagnose cancer at a treatable stage, and design the best treatment plan for optimal quantity and quality of life. Dr. Yang is principal investigator and co-investigator for many lung cancer research studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other sources. She was a co-leader of three NIH-funded research studies in human glioma — one within the Mayo Clinic Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) and two within the Gliogene consortium (international brain tumor study and international glioma case-control study).