Carol Somkin, PhD is a sociologist and Senior Research Scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. She received her doctorate from Columbia University. Dr. Somkin is a member of the implementation team of the Kaiser Permanente Research Program on Genes Environment and Health (RPGEH) and is leading the Research Program's Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues core. She recently completed a focus group study which examined the perceptions and opinions of Kaiser Permanente members, as well as individuals in the wider community, about genetics research in general and about the Kaiser Permanente RPGEH specifically. She is especially interested in the informed consent process and attitudes toward privacy and confidentiality.

Dr. Somkin's work has focused on cancer and cancer screening in multiethnic populations and in participation in cancer clinical trials. She also has had a special interest in intervention studies, access to care, and the effect of socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity on health and use of health services.