Skip to Content

Ellen R. Gritz, Ph.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Chair, Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Olla S. Stribling Distinguished Chair for Cancer Research, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Professor, Behavioral Sciences, Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
Professor, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
Adjunct Professor, Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

 Ellen R. Gritz, Ph.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Behavioral Science and Olla S. Stribling Distinguished Chair for Cancer Research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is an established leader in cancer prevention and control research and internationally known investigator. Dr. Gritz has published extensively on cigarette smoking behavior: prevention, cessation, pharmacologic mechanisms, and special issues of concern to women and high-risk groups, including ethnic minorities, youth, cancer patients and persons living with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Gritz is currently PI of an NCI-funded R01 grant to evaluate an innovative, cell phone-based smoking cessation intervention in an HIV-positive, low income, tri-ethnic population. This is a medical high-risk, underserved population with elevated smoking prevalence (50% or higher). Other research includes skin cancer prevention in children and high-risk individuals, genetic testing and counseling for hereditary cancers, and cancer survivorship.

 Dr. Gritz has served on advisory boards of numerous agencies, organizations, and comprehensive cancer centers, and is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research Task Force on Tobacco and Cancer.  She is a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and The Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas (TAMEST). Dr. Gritz was a member of the IOM’s National Cancer Policy Board (1997-1999) and the Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice (1995-2005). From 2002-2008, Dr. Gritz served on the Board of Directors of the American Legacy Foundation, the large, non-profit public health foundation established in 1998 as part of the Master Settlement Agreement, and was Vice-Chair of the Board from 2005-2008. Dr. Gritz was President of the Society for Research in Nicotine and Tobacco, 2006-2007. She was President of the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) from 1993-1995.

 Dr. Gritz has received numerous awards, including ASPO’s Joseph W. Cullen Memorial Award (1992) for outstanding research in smoking, ASPO’s Distinguished Achievement Award (2001), MD Anderson’s Margaret and James A. Elkins, Jr. Faculty Achievement Award in Cancer Prevention (2002), and the Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (BPW) Texas Award (2006). She was the 2008 recipient of both the Alma Dea Morani, M.D. Renaissance Woman Award, an award that honors an outstanding physician or scientist, and the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Cancer Special Interest Group’s Outstanding Biobehavioral Oncology Award. Dr. Gritz was the recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Professional Woman’s Award, presented by the Committee on the Status of Women at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She is a fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine and the American Psychological Association, and is Senior Editor for Behavioral Sciences of the journal, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention. 

Dr. Gritz's bibliography lists over 269 journal publications, books, book chapters, teaching aids and other publications. Recent book chapters include the ASCO Cancer Prevention Curriculum (2007), and Principles and Practice of Oncology, 9th edition, DeVita VI, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA, editors (2011). She was both author and editor of a seminal volume, Faculty Health in Academic Medicine: Physicians, Scientists and the Pressures of Success, Cole TR, Goodrich TJ, Gritz ER, editors (2009).

Research Interests

smoking prevention and cessation

skin cancer prevention

genetic counseling

lifestyle change risk reduction

cancer survivors

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1978 University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, No degree, Clinical Psychology
1971 University of California, San Diego, CA, PHD, Psychology
1966 Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, No degree, Psychology
1964 Barnard College, Columbia University, New York City, NY, BA, Psychology

Experience/Service

Other Appointments/Responsibilities

Chair, Section 11, Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Institute of Medicine (IOM), Washington, DC, 7/2011-6/2013
Member, Board of Directors, TAMEST, Austin, TX, 1/2011-present
Member, Membership Committee, Institute of Medicine (IOM), Washington, DC, 7/2009-present
Vice-Chair, Section 11, Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Institute of Medicine (IOM), Washington, DC, 7/2009-6/2011
President, Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT), Madison, WI, 2006-2007
Vice Chair, Board of Directors, American Legacy Foundation, Washington, DC, 2005-2008
Member, Board of Directors, American Legacy Foundation, Washington, DC, 2002-2008
President, American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO), Madison, WI, 1993-1995

Honors and Awards

2011-present Member, Board of Directors, The Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas (TAMEST)
2009-present Member, Honorary Board, Foundation for the History of Women in Medicine
2009 Distinguished Professional Woman Award, Committee on the Status of Women at UT Health Science Center at Houston
2008-present Invited Member, The Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas (TAMEST)
2008 Alma Dea Morani, MD, Renaissance Woman Award, Foundation for the History of Women in Medicine
2008 Cancer Special Interest Group Outstanding Biobehavioral Oncology Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine
2007-present Member, Institute of Medicine (IOM)
2006 BPW/Texas Award, Texas Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.
2005-present Olla S. Stribling Distinguished Chair for Cancer Research, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
2005-2008 Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, American Legacy Foundation
2002-2008 Member, Board of Directors, American Legacy Foundation
2002-2003 Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program for Women, Drexel University College of Medicine
2002 Educator of the Month, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Prevention Center
2002 The Margaret and James A. Elkins, Jr. Faculty Achievement Award in Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
2001 Distinguished Achievement Award, American Society of Preventive Oncology
1992 Joseph W. Cullen Memorial Lectureship Award
1966-1971 USPHS Predoctoral Fellowship (NIMH)
1964 B.A. Degree granted Magna cum laude with Honors in Psychology, Barnard College
1960-1964 New York State Regents College Scholarship

Professional Memberships

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Philadelphia, PA
Member, 1993-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Vidrine DJ, Marks RM, Arduino RC, Gritz ER. Efficacy of cell phone delivered smoking cessation counseling for persons living with HIV/AIDs: 3-month outcomes. Nicotine Tob Res 14(1):106-10, 1/2012. e-Pub 6/2011. PMCID: PMC3242970.
2. Blalock JA, Lam C, Minnix JA, Karam-Hage M, Gritz ER, Robinson JD, Cinciripini PM. The effect of mood, anxiety and alcohol use disorders on smoking cessation in cancer patients. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy 25(1):82-96, 2/2011. PMID: 12699023.
3. Fingeret MC, Vidrine DJ, Reece GP, Gillenwater AM, Gritz ER. A multidimensional analysis of body image concerns among newly diagnosed patients with oral cavity cancer. Head Neck 32(3):301-9, DOI: 10.002/hed.21181, 3/2010. e-Pub 7/2009. PMCID: PMC2821979.
4. Henningfield JE, Shiffman S, Ferguson SG, Gritz ER. Tobacco dependence and withdrawal: science base, challenges, and opportunities for pharmacotherapy. Pharmacol Ther 123(1):1-16, 7/2009. e-Pub 4/2009. PMID: 19362108.
5. Emmons KM, Puleo E, Mertens A, Gritz ER, Diller L, Li FP. Long-term smoking cessation outcomes among childhood cancer survivors in The Partnership for Health Study. J Clin Oncol 27(1):52-60, 1/2009. e-Pub 12/2008. PMCID: PMC2645097.
6. Gritz ER, Vidrine DJ, Fingeret MC. Smoking Cessation. A critical component of medical management in chronic disease populations. Special Issue on the State of the Science, Tobacco Control. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 33:S414-S422, 12/2007. PMID: 18021917.
7. Healton C, Gritz ER, Davis KC, Ghada H, McCausland K, Haviland ML, Vallone D. Women's knowledge of the leading causes of cancer death. Nicotine Tob Res 9:761-768, 7/2007. PMID: 17577805.
8. Vidrine DJ, Arduino RC, Lazev AB, Gritz ER. A randomized trial of a proactive cellular telephone intervention for smokers living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS 20:253-60, 2006.
9. Vidrine DJ, Arduino RC, Gritz ER. Impact of a cell phone intervention on mediating mechanisms of smoking cessation in individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Nicotine Tob Res 8, Suppl 1:S103-108, 2006.
10. Gritz ER, Fingeret MC, Vidrine DJ, Lazev AB, Mehta NV, Reece GP. Successes and failures of the teachable moment: smoking cessation in cancer patients. Cancer 106:17-27, 2006. PMID: 16311986.
11. Gritz ER, Vidrine DJ, Lazev AB, Amick BC, 3rd, Arduino RC. Smoking behavior in a low-income multiethnic HIV/AIDS population. Nicotine Tob Res 6:71-7, 2004. PMID: 14982690.

Editorials
1. Gritz ER. Smoking cessation treatments work. The Houston Chronicle(Outlook), 5/2009.
2. Gritz ER, Demark-Wahnefried W. Health behaviors influence cancer survival. J Clin Oncol 27(12):1930-32, 4/20/2009. e-Pub 3/16/2009. PMID: 19289610.
3. Gritz ER, Sarna L, Dresler C, Healton CG. Building a united front: Aligning the agendas for tobacco control, lung cancer research, and policy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev 16(5):859-63, 5/2007. PMID: 17507605.
4. Gritz ER, Dresler D, Sarna L. Smoking, the missing drug interaction in oncology clinical trials: Ignoring the obvious. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 14:2287-93, 10/2005.

Book Chapters
1. Gritz ER, Lam CY, Vidrine DJ, Fingeret MC. Cancer Prevention: Tobacco Dependence and its Treatment. In: Cancer: Principles and Practices in Oncology. Part 3, Chapter 51, 9. Ed(s) Devita VT, Lawrence T, Rosenberg SA. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: Philadelphia, 529-542, 2011.
2. Gritz ER, Apted J, Baile W, Sazama K, Thomas G. A Model for Designing and Developing a Faculty Health Program: The M. D. Anderson Experience (Chapter 13). In: Faculty Health in Academic Medicine: Physicians, Scientists and the Pressures of Success. Ed(s) TR Cole, TJ Goodrich, ER Gritz. Humana Press: Totowa, NJ, 167-182, 2009.
3. Tuinmann MA, Hoekstra HJ, Vidrine DJ, Gritz ER, Sleijfer DT, Fleer J, Hoekstra-Weebers JEHM. Sexual function, depressive symptoms and marital status in testicular cancer patients: a longitudinal study. In: Surviving testicular cancer: relationship aspects. Ed(s) M Tuinmann. Krips bv, Meppel: Groningen, The Netherlands, 93-109, 2008.
4. Tuinmann M, Hoekstra HJ, Slijfer DT, Fleer J, Vidrine D, Gritz ER, Hoekstra-Weebers J. Testicular cancer: a longitudinal pilot study on stress response symptoms and quality of life in couples before and after chemotherapy (Chapter 5). In: Surviving testicular cancer: relationship aspects. Ed(s) M Tuinman. Krips bv, Meppel: Gronigen, The Netherlands, 65-78, 2008.

Books (edited and written)
1. Cole TR, Goodrich TJ, Gritz ER. Ed(s) Cole TR, Goodrich TJ, Gritz ER. Faculty Health in Academic Medicine: Physicians, Scientists and the Pressures of Success. Humana Press: Totowa, NJ, 2009.

Manuals, Teaching Aids, Other Teaching Publications
1. Gritz ER, Fingeret MC, Vidrine DJ. Tobacco Control in the Oncology Setting. In: Cancer Prevention. An ASCO Curriculum, Chapter 4. American Society of Clinical Oncology: Alexandria, VA, 2007.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Body Image Functioning in Cancer Patients Undergoing Facial Reconstruction
Funding Source: American Cancer Society (ACS)
Role: Primary Mentor
Principal Investigator: Fingeret MC
Duration: 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2014
 
Title: Intensive Smoking Cessation Intervention for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Blalock J
Duration: 8/1/2009 - 7/31/2013
 
Title: Combating Tobacco Use in the United States Army
Funding Source: Department of Defense (DOD)
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Prokhorov A
Duration: 4/1/2009 - 3/31/2013
 
Title: Spousal Support, Emotional Disclosure, and Adjustment in Head and Neck Cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/2008 - 8/31/2012
 
Title: The Effects of Smoking Expectancy on ERP Measures of Attentional Bias
Funding Source: NIH/NIDA
Role: Co-Mentor
Principal Investigator: Robinson J
Duration: 8/15/2008 - 5/31/2013
 
Title: The influence of HIV disease events/stages on smoking attitudes and behaviors
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Vidrine, D
Duration: 7/1/2008 - 5/31/2013
 
Title: An Innovative Telephone Intervention for HIV+ Smokers
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 2/1/2006 - 12/31/2012
 
Title: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening in First Degree Relatives of CRC Patients
Funding Source: American Cancer Society (ACS)
Role: Primary Mentor
Principal Investigator: Peterson S
Duration: 7/1/2004 - 6/30/2010
 
Title: A Targeted, Family-Focused Intervention for Melanoma Prevention
Funding Source: American Cancer Society (ACS)
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 1/1/2004 - 12/31/2009
 
Title: Cancer Center Support Grant
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Program Leader
Principal Investigator: DePinho R
Duration: 9/4/1998 - 6/30/2013

Last updated: 3/9/2012