Katherine Reeves

Katherine Reeves

Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies
Professor of Epidemiology

Cancer epidemiology, women's health, breast cancer, endocrine disruption

Location

Arnold House

715 North Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01003
United States

412 Arnold House

My research in cancer epidemiology, women’s health, and aging employs rigorous and innovative methodologies to unravel the impact of environmental chemicals like PFAS, phthalates, and BPA on human health. Currently, I lead two active grants that delve into the associations between perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and various health outcomes. One of these grants (R01AG088033) focuses on evaluating PFAS’s influence on bone health among older adults, utilizing data and biospecimens from extensive prospective cohort studies. Another project (R21ES034801) explores the connection between PFAS and breast cancer biomarkers, utilizing data and biospecimens from the Komen Tissue Bank. Previously, I led a grant (R01ES024731) that investigated the role of phthalate biomarkers in predicting breast cancer risk within the Women’s Health Initiative.  

   

As the SPHHS Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, I support all SPHHS on-campus and online graduate programs. Graduate students should contact their department’s Graduate Program Director with questions about specific degree requirements. For all other questions and suggestions, please email me at kwreeves [at] umass [dot] edu (kwreeves[at]umass[dot]edu). 

Education

  • PhD, University of Pittsburgh, 2008
  • MPH, The Ohio State University, 2003
  • BS, Yale University, 2002

Key Publications

Reeves KW. Making Sense of Epidemiological Research: A Student’s Guide - 1st Edit. London: Routledge; 2025.  

Reeves KW, Oulhote Y, Grandjean P, Nielsen F. Associations of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with terminal ductal lobular unit involution of the normal breast. Breast Cancer Res. 2025;27(1):148.  

Reeves KW, Vieyra G, Grimes NP, Meliker J, Jackson RD, Wactawski-Wende J, et al. Urinary Phthalate Biomarkers and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021; 122: 115356  

Díaz Santana MV, Hankinson SE, Bigelow C, Sturgeon SR, Zoeller RT, Tinker L, Manson JAE, Calafat AM, Meliker JR, Reeves KW. Urinary concentrations of phthalate biomarkers and weight change among postmenopausal women: a prospective cohort study. Environ Health. 2019;18(1):20.  

Reeves KW, Díaz Santana M, Manson JE, Hankinson SE, Zoeller RT, Bigelow C, et al. Urinary Phthalate Biomarker Concentrations and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019 Oct 1;111(10):1059–67.  

Reeves KW, Schneider S, Xue J, Kannan K, Mason H, Johnson M, Makari-Judson G, Díaz-Santana M. Bisphenol-A in breast adipose tissue of breast cancer cases and controls. Environmental Research. 2018; 167: 735-738. PMC in process.

Kiridly-Calderbank JF, Sturgeon SR, Kroenke CH, Reeves KW. Antidepressant use and risk of colorectal cancer in the Women’s Health Initiative. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention. 2018; 27:892-898. PMID: 29789327

Reeves KW, Pennell M, Foraker RE, Crandall CJ, Stefanick M, Paskett ED. Predictors of vasomotor symptoms among breast cancer survivors. Journal of Cancer Survivorship. 2018; 12(3): 379-387. PMCID: PMC5955842

Reeves KW, Okereke OI, Qian J, Tamimi RM, Eliassen AH, Hankinson SE. Depression, antidepressant use and breast cancer risk in pre- and postmenopausal women: A prospective cohort study. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention. 2017; 27(3):306-314. PMCID: PMC5835185

Reeves KW, Okereke OI, Qian J, Tworoger SS, Rice MS, Hankinson SE. Antidepressant use and circulating prolactin levels. Cancer Causes and Control. 2016. 27:853-861. PMCID: PMC4925273