John Hopper (epidemiologist)

John Hopper is an Australian epidemiologist renowned for his significant contributions to the field of cancer epidemiology, particularly in the areas of familial cancer risk assessment, breast cancer genetics, and the application of statistical methods to understanding cancer causation.

Hopper's research has focused on developing and applying statistical models to estimate the risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer, based on family history and other risk factors. He is a leading figure in the development and application of segregation analysis, linkage analysis, and other genetic epidemiology methods to understand the inheritance patterns of cancer susceptibility genes.

He has made substantial contributions to our understanding of the genetic architecture of breast cancer, including the identification of genes and gene-environment interactions associated with increased breast cancer risk. His work has significantly impacted clinical practice by providing tools and models for personalized cancer risk assessment, allowing for more targeted screening and prevention strategies.

Hopper has held prominent positions, including Director of the Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytical Epidemiology at the University of Melbourne. He has published extensively in leading scientific journals and has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to cancer research. His research continues to influence the direction of cancer epidemiology and informs public health policy related to cancer prevention and control. He is considered a leading expert in familial cancer and genetic epidemiology.