Ian Pagano, PhD
	Assistant Professor (Specialist), Epidemiology Program, Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i; Graduate Faculty, Department of Public Health Sciences, John A. Burns School of Medicine PhD (Quantitative Psychology), University of Hawai‘i; MA (Quantitative Psychology), University of Hawai‘i pagano@crch.hawaii.edu

Publication list via PubMed

As a biostatistician, my primary duty is to provide research support to the members of the Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i. I have experience with many modeling and research design methods, and I also have experience teaching these methods to others. Examples include, but are not limited to, general linear modeling, logistic regression, factor analysis, structural equation modeling, multilevel modeling, item response theory, measurement theory, dynamical systems theory, time-to-event analysis, nonlinear modeling, construct validation, quality control, sampling, power analysis, and experimental design.

As a psychologist, I have personal research interest in the roles that psychosocial factors play in cancer's etiology and survival. However, I am of course aware that these factors are tied to a complex system that spans many levels (e.g., genetics, biology, nutrition, lifestyle, and society). Therefore, I am most interested in innovative systems science methodologies, which allow for simultaneous study across all of these contexts. Using these methods one can examine the dynamic interrelationships and the causal feedback patterns among different variables. Through collaboration with researchers in diverse specialties at the Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i, my goal is to develop causal theoretical models of cancer, and use them to find direct actions that will improve prevention and treatment.

Finally, specific past research I have done involves measurement theory and its application to the assessment of quality of life in cancer survivors. Psychological constructs, such as quality of life, cannot be directly observed, and therefore must be measured through indirect means. Because of this, extensive instrument validation is necessary. With respect to quality of life, my focus has been on simplifying the construct's definition, with the goal of creating easier and more meaningful assessment tools. In particular, through collaboration with Professor Carolyn Gotay, I have done a validation study that found support for a relatively simple and novel instrument called the COOP / WONCA.

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Selected Publications

Pagano IS, Gotay CC. Validating the COOP / WONCA as a measure of quality of life in cancer survivors. In PM Goldfarb (Ed.), Psychological Tests and Testing Research Trends. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science, 2007.

Pagano IS, Barkhoff H, Heiby EM, Schlicht W. Dynamical modeling of the relations between leisure activities and health indicators. Journal of Leisure Research. 2006; 38: 61-77.

Pagano IS, Gotay CC. Modeling quality of life as a unidimensional construct. Hawai‘i Medical Journal. 2006; 65: 76-85.

Pagano IS, Gotay CC. Ethnic differential item functioning in the assessment of quality of life. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2005; 3: 60.

Pagano IS, Morita SY, Dhakal S, Hundahl SA, Maskarinec G. Time dependent ethnic convergence in colorectal cancer survival in Hawai‘i. BMC Cancer. 2003; 3: 5.

Heiby EM, Pagano IS, Blaine DD, Nelson KG, Heath RA. Modeling unipolar depression as a chaotic process. Psychological Assessment. 2003; 15: 426-434.

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