Prof Jo Waller

Jo Waller is Professor Cancer Behavioural Science in the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). She co-leads the Screening, Prevention and Epidemiology Unit and is deputy director of the Cancer Prevention Trials Unit, both in the Centre for Cancer Screening, Prevention and Early Diagnosis. With a background in health psychology, Jo has worked for over 25 years in the field of cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis, at UCL, King’s College London and, since 2023, QMUL. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, her team’s research aims to understand the acceptability, uptake and psychological impact of cancer screening, with a cross-cutting interest in social inequalities. Current work focuses on novel innovations including risk-stratification, HPV self-sampling and the use of AI in breast screening, as well as new screening technologies like the capsule sponge test for oesophageal cancer and multi-cancer early detection tests. Jo works closely with the NHS national screening programmes and is a member of the UK National Screening Committee’s Research and Methodology Group. She receives research funding from Cancer Research UK, NIHR, Breast Cancer Now and GRAIL Bio UK.