Dr. Lerman is Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Psychology and the Director of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

She is nationally recognized for her cancer prevention research that bridges the fields of neuroscience, pharmacology, genetics, and behavioral science. She produced the first empirical data on the outcomes of genetic testing for cancer susceptibility and was among the first to publish evidence for the genetic basis of cancer risk behaviors. Her pioneering work identifying genetic influences on tobacco use culminated in the first prospective stratified pharmacogenomic trial in the field of tobacco dependence, which has had a considerable impact on the application of precision medicine for tobacco dependence treatment.

Supported by her National Cancer Institute (NCI) Outstanding Investigator Award (R35), Dr. Lerman now also leads a highly novel research program that harnesses advances in cognitive neuroscience to promote cancer risk behavior change. She has published over 400 peer reviewed publications, which have been cited over >20,000 times.  Her current research focus is on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and other psychedelic therapies.

Dr. Lerman is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and Past President of the American Association of Cancer Institutes (AACI).  She has served as a member of the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors, the National Human Genome Research Institute Advisory Council, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse Advisory Council as well as Chair of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Review Committee.