Research Abstract

My research interests broadly lie in developing and implementing novel lifestyle interventions to target metabolic dysregulation linked to comorbid conditions and cancer recurrence. I am particularly interested examining the effects of post-diagnosis exercise on cancer prognosis with a specific emphasis on biomarkers related to obesity, lean mass, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation. My research is focused on: 1) Determining the underlying physiologic mechanisms by which obesity and metabolic dysregulation drive cancer recurrence; 2) Designing and executing exercise interventions to improve co-morbid disease outcomes (i.e., obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) related to disease recurrence in cancer survivors; and 3) Disseminating effective lifestyle interventions to cancer survivors to alleviate the presence of co-morbid diseases in an effort to reduce mortality. In addition, my research seeks to eradicate comorbid conditions in minority cancer survivors, a largely understudied group within cancer survivorship research.