Dr. Ute Mons

Dr. Mons studied Sociology and Economics and the University of Heidelberg. Already during her course of studies, and then again after obtaining her M.A. in 2007, she had positions as research fellow at the Cancer Prevention Unit at DKFZ. She obtained her doctoral degree (Dr. sc. hum.) in Epidemiology from the Medical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg in 2013. Her dissertation focused on the evaluation of the German smoke-free legislation and was graded with “summa cum laude” (=with highest honor). From 2012 to 2016 Dr. Mons was a postdoctoral researcher in the Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research at DKFZ, where she led projects dealing with the epidemiology of chronic diseases, with a main focus on aging as well as health behaviors. In 2016, she returned to the Cancer Prevention Unit and was appointed as its head. In 2017, she obtained her habilitation in Epidemiology and Public Health from the Medical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg. With more than 70 articles in peer-reviewed journals, many of which with a focus on tobacco research, and having received awards such as one of the 2017 European Cancer League’s Young Professional Awards for her outstanding research and contributions in tobacco control, she is an internationally recognized public health scientist and tobacco control expert. The Cancer Prevention Unit headed by Ute Mons is designated as WHO Collaborating Centre for Tobacco Control. The Unit promotes effective and evidence-based primary cancer prevention and aims at making cancer control a top priority in Germany’s health policy. Research projects in cancer prevention and tobacco control provide the evidence base for advocacy and their results are used to inform national cancer control activities.