Heidi Hanson
About Heidi Hanson
Heidi Hanson is a Data Scientist and Assistant Professor at the University of Utah, where she has worked since 2014. She also holds positions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a Data Scientist and Senior Research Scientist, focusing on cancer research and the impact of environmental factors on health outcomes.
Work at University of Utah
Heidi Hanson has served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah since 2014. In this role, she has contributed to the academic community and engaged in research related to sociology, particularly in the areas of demography and population health. She holds adjunct appointments in the Department of Population Health Sciences, Sociology, and Surgery, which allows her to collaborate across various disciplines within the university.
Current Position at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Since 2021, Heidi Hanson has been working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a Data Scientist and Senior Research Scientist. In these positions, she applies her expertise in data science to advance research initiatives. She leads the DOE-National Cancer Institute’s MOSSAIC project, which focuses on developing predictive machine learning and deep learning models for cancer research.
Education and Expertise
Heidi Hanson earned her Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Utah, completing her studies from 2010 to 2012. She further pursued her education at the same institution, obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sociology with an emphasis on Demography and Population Health from 2010 to 2013. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her research in health outcomes and environmental impacts.
Research Contributions
Heidi Hanson has developed new techniques to study the role of the environment in the heritability of longevity. Her research includes investigating the impact of environmental exposures, such as radon gas and air pollution, on health outcomes. She utilizes large health databases, including UPDB, CMS, Demographic Health Survey, NHANES, and SEER, to support her research efforts.
Graduate Advising and Mentorship
In addition to her research and teaching roles, Heidi Hanson serves as a graduate advisor at the University of Tennessee Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education. In this capacity, she provides guidance and mentorship to graduate students, fostering their academic and professional development in interdisciplinary research.