Recognizing that the problem can only be solved by the concerted efforts of physicians, scientists, public health experts and political leaders, Dr. Grannis advocates a multi-tiered strategy, including programs to prevent young people from smoking and help current smokers quit, screening to detect early stage lung cancer, continuing research into medical and surgical treatments for lung cancer, and coordinated social and political activities to more tightly control the tobacco industry.

At the forefront of this work, Dr. Grannis is principle investigator with Arnold J. Rotter, M.D., Department of Diagnostic Radiology, for City of Hope's participation in the International Early Lung Cancer Action Project (I-ELCAP) . This multi-institutional project is testing the effectiveness a new method of computer imaging in screening for lung cancer. He is also involved, along with Jeffrey Lamont, M.D., Joshua Ellenhorn, M.D., and other members of City of Hope's Department of Surgery, in another prospective lung cancer early detection trial that would focus on patients who have had prior cancers.

In addition to these studies, Dr. Grannis is working with other City of Hope physicians to investigate a new surgical and post-surgical treatment for lung cancer, and is participating in a study of palliative therapies for terminal lung cancer patients. He is also involved in two ongoing studies of quality-of-life issues of lung cancer survivors and their families. He is active in several tobacco policy organizations and has led a Web-based public education program on smoking and lung cancer at http://www.smokinglungs.com/.

Before joining City of Hope in 1981, Dr. Grannis served at Santa Teresita Hospital, Huntington Memorial Hospital, the Methodist Hospital of Southern California and the United States Public Health Service Hospital in New Orleans. He has also been an instructor at the Tulane University School of Medicine, the University of Southern California County General Hospital, and the University of California at San Diego, where he currently serves as assistant clinical professor in the Department of Surgery. He received his medical degree from New York Medical College and served his internship and two fellowships in general and thoracic surgery at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine.

Dr. Grannis has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and abstracts, and delivered dozens of lectures and presentations around the world. He received the David Salkin Award from the Trudeau Society American Lung Association of Los Angeles County in 2000.