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Christopher I. Amos, PhD

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, Department of Epidemiology, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Professor, Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Division of Quantitative Sciences, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Adjunct Professor, Rice University, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX
Professor, University of Texas Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

Dr. Amos is the deputy ad-interim chair of the Department of Epidemiology and leads the Computational and Genetic Epidemiology Section. He also directs the Human Pedigree Analysis Resource, a core facility of the Cancer Center Support Grant, which supports research for individuals with increased familial risk for developing cancer. His research has ranged from investigating familial factors for prostate, head and neck, lung and colon cancers to study of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, a rare syndrome predisposing to polyps and multiple cancers. Dr. Amos is leading a study to identify genetic risk factors for lung cancer using a genome-wide association approach. By this method, his team identified a novel locus influencing lung cancer susceptibility in a region of chromosome 15q containing acetyl-cholinergic acid receptors. Dr. Amos has directed the statistical genetics core for the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium and the Genetic Epidemiology of Lung Cancer Consortium. He also directs the informatics core of Dr. Strong’s P-01 entitled mutational model for childhood cancer and of a grant from Genome Ontario. Dr. Amos serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the International Genetic Epidemiology Society and has served as its President. 

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1988 LSU Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, PHD, Biometry
1985 LSU Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, MS, Biometry
1980 Reed College, Portland, OR, BA, Mathematics

Postgraduate Training

7/1990-12/1993 Interinstitute Medical Genetics Program, NIH, Bethesda, MD
6/1988-6/1990 Intramural Research Training Award Fellowship, Family Studies Section, Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Family Studies, Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD

Board Certifications

1993 American Board of Medical Genetics

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

IRTA FEllow, Family Studies Section, EEB, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 6/1988-6/1990
Graduate Assistant, Department of Medicine, LSU Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, 8/1983-5/1988

Consultantships

Consultant, Howard University Cancer Center, Washington, 1/1988-1/1993

Military or Other Governmental Service

Intramural Research Training Association Fellow, US NCI NIH, 6/1988-6/1990

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles

1. Spitz MR, Amos CI, Dong Q, Lin J, Wu X. The CHRNA5-A3 region on chromosome 15q24-25.1 is a risk factor both for nicotine dependence and for lung cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 100(21). e-Pub 10/2008. PMID: 18957677.
2. Spitz MR, Etzel CJ, Dong Q, Amos CI, Wei Q, Wu X, Hong WK. An expanded risk prediction model for lung cancer. Cancer Prev Res (Phila Pa) 1(4):250-4, 9/2008. PMCID: PMCNONE.
3. Liu P, Vikis HG, Wang D, Lu Y, Wang Y, Schwartz AG, Pinney SM, Yang P, de Andrade M, Petersen GM, Wiest JS, Fain PR, Gazdar A, Gaba C, Rothschild H, Mandal D, Coons T, Lee J, Kupert E, Seminara D, Minna J, Bailey-Wilson JE, Wu X, Spitz MR, Eisen T, Houlston RS, Amos CI, Anderson MW, You M. Familial aggregation of common sequence variants on 15q24-25.1 in lung cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 100(18):1326-30, 9/2008. e-Pub 9/2008. PMCID: PMC2538550.
4. Amos CI, Wu X, Broderick P, Gorlov IP, Gu J, Eisen T, Dong Q, Zhang Q, Gu X, Vijayakrishnan J, Sullivan K, Matakidou A, Wang Y, Mills G, Doheny K, Tsai YY, Chen WV, Shete S, Spitz MR, Houlston RS. Genome-wide association scan of tag SNPs identifies a susceptibility locus for lung cancer at 15q25.1. Nat Genet 40(5):616-22, 5/2008. e-Pub 4/2/2008. PMID: 18385676.
5. Gorlov IP, Gorlova OY, Amos CI. Relative effects of mutability and selection on single nucleotide polymorphisms in transcribed regions of the human genome. BMC Genomics 9:292, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMCID: PMC2442617.
6. Wei C, Amos CI, Zhang N, Wang X, Rashid A, Walker CL, Behringer RR, Frazier ML. Suppression of peutz-jeghers polyposis by targeting Mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. Clin Cancer Res 14(4):1167-71, 2008. PMCID: PMCNONE.
7. Amos CI. Successful design and conduct of genome-wide association studies. Hum Mol Genet 16 Spec No. 2:R220-5., 2007. PMID: 17597095.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: International Genome-Wide Association Studies of Lung Cancer
Funding Source: International Agency for Research for Cancer
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Principal Investigator: Paul Brennan
Duration: 12/1/2009 - 11/30/2013
 
Title: Genetic Susceptibility for Lung Cancer in African Americans
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/2009 - 8/31/2010
 
Title: Genomewide Association Studies of Lung Cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Duration: 11/1/2008 - 10/31/2012
 
Title: CCSG Human Pedigree Ayalysis Resource (PC13)
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Core Leader
Principal Investigator: Mendelsohn
Duration: 7/1/2008 - 6/30/2013
 
Title: Genome-Wide Association Anaylsis of Bladder Cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Xifeng Wu
Duration: 4/1/2008 - 3/31/2013
 
Title: Molecular Epidemiology of Head and Neck Cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Qingy Wei
Duration: 3/8/2008 - 2/28/2012
 
Title: Ecogenetics of Lung Cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Margaret R. Spitz, M.D.
Duration: 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2012
 
Title: Statistical Methods for Gene Environmental Interactions in Lung Cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/30/2007 - 7/31/2010
 
Title: Genetics of Rehumatoid Arthritis - NARAC
Funding Source: NIH/NIAMS
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Duration: 9/20/2007 - 7/31/2012
 
Title: High Density Genetic Analysis of Lung Cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/2007 - 5/31/2011
 
Title: Epidemiology of PBC: A Genome-Wide Association Study
Funding Source: U C Davis
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: E. Gershwin
Duration: 6/6/2007 - 8/31/2009
 
Title: International Consortium of Malignant Glioma
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Melissa Bondy
Duration: 12/1/2005 - 7/31/2011
 
Title: Cancer Center Support Grant Human Pedigree Analysis Core
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Core Leader
Principal Investigator: J. Mendelsohn, M.D.
Duration: 7/1/2003 - 6/30/2008
 
Title: Genetic Determinants of Human Health and Disease
Funding Source: Genome Ontario
Role: Core Leader
Principal Investigator: K. Siminovitch
Duration: 1/1/2003 - 12/31/2005
 
Title: Positional Gene Identification of Complex Traits, No-cost Extension
Funding Source: NIH/NIEHS
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 8/1/2002 - 7/31/2007
 
Title: Genetics of Rheumatoid Arthritis, No-cost Extension
Funding Source: North Shore/LIJ Research Institute
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Principal Investigator: Peter Gregersen, MD PhD
Duration: 5/1/2002 - 7/31/2009
 
Title: SPORE in Genitourinary Cancer, No-cost Extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Colin P. Dinney
Duration: 9/25/2001 - 8/31/2011
 
Title: Genetic Influences on Mutagen Sensitvity: A Twin Study, No-cost Extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Xifeng Wu, M.D., Ph.D.
Duration: 5/4/2001 - 4/30/2005
 
Title: Mechanism & Prevention of Environmental Disease-Pilot Project, No-cost Extension
Funding Source: NIH/NIEHS
Role: Pilot Project Leader
Principal Investigator: John DiGiovanni
Duration: 4/1/2001 - 3/31/2002
 
Title: New Research Registries for the National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases ‘Alopecia Areata Registry’, No-cost Extension
Funding Source: NIH/NIAMS
Role: Consultant
Principal Investigator: Madeline Duvic, M.D
Duration: 9/30/2000 - 9/29/2009
 
Title: Pharmacogenetics of Anticancer Agents Research Group, no-cost extension
Funding Source: University of Chicago
Role: Collaborator
Principal Investigator: Gary Rosner
Duration: 1/1/2000 - 6/30/2010
 
Title: A Mutational Model for Childhood Cancer, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Core Leader
Principal Investigator: Louise Strong, M.D
Duration: 7/1/1999 - 6/30/2011
 
Title: Genetic Epidemiology of Lung Cancer, no-cost extension
Funding Source: University of Cincinnati
Role: Principal Investigator-MDACC
Principal Investigator: M. Anderson, Ph.D.
Duration: 5/1/1999 - 2/28/2011
 
Title: Molecular Investigation of Familial Wilms Tumor, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: V. Huff, Ph.D.
Duration: 4/1/1999 - 6/30/2004
 
Title: Linkage & Linkage Disequilibrium Methods for Traits, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NIEHS
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 1/1/1999 - 12/31/2001
 
Title: Genetic Epidemiology Studies of Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, no-cost extension
Funding Source: American Cancer Society (ACS)
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 1/1/1999 - 12/31/2001
 
Title: The Risk/Tox Chip Program, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCHGR
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: M. Hogan, Ph.D.
Duration: 9/30/1998 - 9/29/2001
 
Title: Psychosocial Aspects of Genetic Testing for HNPCC, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCHGR
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: E. Gritz, Ph.D.
Duration: 8/1/1998 - 7/31/2001
 
Title: Texas Cancer Genetics Consortium, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Core Leader
Principal Investigator: L. Strong, M.D.
Duration: 6/1/1998 - 6/3/2012
 
Title: Molecular Genetics of HNPCC, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NIDDK
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: M. Frazier, Ph.D.
Duration: 6/1/1997 - 4/30/2012
 
Title: Genetic Studies of Rheumatoid Arthritis, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NIAMS
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 1/1/1997 - 12/31/2006
 
Title: University of Texas SPORE in Lung Cancer Core C, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Roth
Duration: 9/30/1996 - 4/30/2013
 
Title: Ecogenetics of Lung Cancer in Minority Populations, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Margaret R. Spitz, M.D.
Duration: 9/30/1996 - 8/31/2000
 
Title: Gliomas: Molecular and Genetic Studies, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: "Melissa Bondy, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of Project 6 ""Genetic Epidemiology of Gliomas"""
Duration: 8/1/1996 - 7/31/2000
 
Title: Genetic Basis of Radiation Induced Fibrosis, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Travis, Ph.D.
Duration: 7/1/1996 - 4/30/2005
 
Title: Genetic Determinants of High BP in Three Racial Groups, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NHLBI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/1996 - 6/30/2000
 
Title: Extension of Radiotherapy Research, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: "K. Ang, M.D., Principal Investigator, Mike Weil, Principal Investigator for Project 3: ""Genetic Variation in Radiation Induced Normal Tissue Damage"""
Duration: 4/30/1996 - 2/28/2002
 
Title: DNA Repair Gene Expression in Head and Neck Cancer, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Qingyi Wei, Ph.D.
Duration: 4/1/1996 - 3/31/1997
 
Title: Familial Studies of Bleomycin Sensitivity, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 4/1/1996 - 3/30/1997
 
Title: Project 2: Lung Cancer Susceptibility in Former Smokers, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Waun Ki Hong, M.D.
Duration: 7/1/1995 - 6/30/2000
 
Title: Environmental and Genetic Determinants of Clinical Prostate Cancer, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI/NIEHS
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Margaret R. Spitz, M.D.
Duration: 7/1/1995 - 6/30/2000
 
Title: Familial Aggregation of Prostate Cancer, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/1995 - 12/30/1996
 
Title: Linkage Methods for Quantitative and Complex Traits, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NIGMS
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 5/1/1995 - 7/31/2003
 
Title: Development of Robust Genetic Linkage Tests, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NIGMS
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 4/1/1995 - 3/31/1998
 
Title: Psychosocial Aspects of Genetic Testing for HNPCC, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Ellen Gritz, Ph.D.
Duration: 10/1/1994 - 7/31/2001
 
Title: Epidemiologic & Cytogenetic Evaluation of A Cohort of Adult Hodgkin's Disease Patients, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Sara S. Strom, Ph.D.
Duration: 6/1/1994 - 5/31/1996
 
Title: Smoking Initiation in African-American Youth, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Ellen Gritz, Ph.D.
Duration: 7/1/1993 - 6/30/1995
 
Title: R25 Supplement in Genetic Epidemiology Education, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: R. Chamberlain, Ph.D.
Duration: 9/15/1992 - 8/31/2007
 
Title: Cancer Center Support Grant, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: John Mendelsohn
Duration: 7/1/1978 - 6/30/2008
 
Title: Cancer Center Support Grant Supplemental Cancer Prevention Program, no-cost extension
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: J. Mendelsohn, M.D
Duration: 7/1/1978 - 6/30/2003

Last updated: 9/17/2009