Dr. John A. Shepherd

Dr. John A. Shepherd, PhD, is a distinguished biomedical scientist internationally recognized for his expertise in medical imaging, body composition analysis, and breast cancer detection. He serves as Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Sciences at the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center, where he directs the Body Composition and Metabolism Lab. Dr. Shepherd earned his PhD in Engineering Physics from the University of Virginia and pursued postdoctoral training in imaging sciences at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Dr. Shepherd’s research spans quantitative imaging, breast density assessment, and the development of advanced imaging biomarkers for cancer risk prediction and early detection. He is a pioneer in the application of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and 3D optical imaging for body composition assessment, with implications for cancer prevention, metabolic health, and aging. His contributions to breast density measurement have influenced breast cancer screening strategies and risk modeling worldwide.

An accomplished investigator, Dr. Shepherd has published extensively in high-impact journals and has led multi-institutional studies funded by the NIH and international agencies. He is also a dedicated educator, training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical imaging and epidemiology. Through his innovative research at the intersection of imaging, cancer prevention, and public health, Dr. John Shepherd continues to advance precision medicine and population health initiatives.