Current Projects

This study is a pilot randomized controlled trial designed to address the needs of caregivers of advanced cancer patients who are also parenting school-age children and young adults. We are testing the feasibility of a brief, manualized, remotely delivered behavioral intervention aimed at reducing the burden of caregiving while strengthening caregivers’ parenting and communication skills. By enhancing caregivers’ confidence and efficacy in these areas, we anticipate enhancing coping for both the patient and the family unit, ultimately improving the quality of life for couples facing advanced cancer.

This is a multisite randomized controlled trial designed to test and support family communication to adolescent and young adult children about adult-onset inherited cancer syndromes. Specifically, we are comparing the effects of a decision guide alone to a decision guide plus peer coaching on behavioral and psychosocial outcomes. Through this trial, we hope to empower parents with genetic risk to talk openly with their children about their familial and personal history of cancer as part of a family-based approach to cancer risk management and prevention.

Click here to view posters and publications about the Parent Communication Study project!

In partnership with Sharsheret, a national non-profit organization providing information and support to young Jewish women with breast and ovarian cancer, we are conducting a comprehensive program evaluation of their interventions. The evaluation focuses on Sharsheret's culturally-relevant breast and ovarian cancer education programming, known as "The Link Program," which guides young breast and ovarian cancer survivors from diagnosis through survivorship. Our evaluation aims to review and help improve program components, strengthen collaboration with local, regional, and national partners, increase utilization of structured education support services, and raise awareness about available resources.

Click here to view posters and publications about the Sharsheret project! 

Parents with advanced cancer may be more anxious, worried, and depressed than all other patients with advanced cancer. Moreover, children of parents with advanced cancer have clinically-elevated levels of anxiety and depression; and some experience behavioral adjustment problems. Parents with advanced cancer need resources to help manage the impact of non-curable cancer on their families. In collaboration with the University of Washington, we are co-evaluating the efficacy of a fully-scripted, cancer parenting program for child-rearing among this population.

Click here to view posters and publications about the Enhancing Connections-Palliative Care project!

We have partnered with Camp Kesem--a national organization that provides summer camps, day programs, and virtual meet-ups for children and adolescents facing a parent’s cancer. As part of this project, we will engage in a multiyear evaluation of Kesem's programming to help ensure its continued success and identify innovative growth opportunities.

This is a multisite randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention to improve psychological outcomes and navigation to genetic testing among young adult women in families with hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome. In this trial, we are comparing the effects of standard health education to peer coaching–offering 1-on-1 mentoring about decision-making skills, communication training, and stress management techniques. As a result of this trial, we expect more young women to engage in cancer prevention strategies, and with improved quality of life.

We are supporting our cancer center’s mission to engage the community and help pave the way for future scientists to prevent and cure cancer by co-leading our Young Scholars Program. In partnership with KID Museum in Bethesda, MD, we design educational curricula and host events for elementary students from Washington, DC for a day of hands-on creation, fun, and learning. Through specially designed “bio-tinkering” exhibits, students are exposed to topics in cancer biology and prevention, and meet with Georgetown Lombardi scientists in an informal setting.

Click here to view posters and publications about the Young Scholars Program!

Click here for the Young Scholars Program website!

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to a number of cancers in both males and females. A vaccine is widely available to protect against HPV infection and help prevent the spread of cancer. Although it is recommended that all children be vaccinated, nationwide vaccination rates are far below 100%--and many families face barriers to childhood vaccination. We are conducting a mixed-methods investigation with parents of vaccine-eligible children to determine if and how vaccine hesitancy affects children’s receipt of healthcare, along with other drivers of disparities in the uptake of the HPV vaccine.

Click here to view posters and publications about the HPV project!

Protecting young children from harmful UV rays is an important step in controlling the US skin cancer burden. As part of a multi-state effort, we're examining strategies to support rural community recreation leagues in implementing evidence-based strategies to prevent children's excess exposure to the sun while playing outdoor sports.

Click here to view posters and publications about the RAYS project!

"Skin Smart Campus" is a designation developed by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention to encourage universities to ban indoor tanning services and encourage sun safety among students. Since being designated a “Skin Smart Campus”, both Georgetown University and its School of Medicine introduced sunscreen dispensers as well as an informational webpage regarding sun safety and tanning. We are conducting survey research assessing the efficacy of this initiative. 

Click here to view posters and publications about Skin Smart Campus!

This study focuses on parents who have been previously counseled and tested for highly-penetrant or moderately-penetrant inherited cancer susceptibility genes commonly found on direct-to-consumer genetic testing panels. Eligible participants complete an online survey assessing parental knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding genetic screening for adult-onset inherited cancer syndromes in minors. Additionally, we explore the perceptions, emotions, and values of parents regarding involving minors in genetic screening. The results of this study will contribute valuable insights to inform science policy regarding pediatric genetic screening, as well as its clinical and bioethical considerations.

Click here to view posters and publications about the DTC project!

This study examines the use of tumor molecular profiling and paired germline genetic testing in the pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer settings. We are collecting outcomes among patients and their parents to describe the prevalence and patterning of pathogenic variants in children treated for cancer, and assess psychosocial and behavioral outcomes of clinical testing. Through this research collaboration with other cancer centers, we hope to gain valuable insights into test utilization and patients’ and families’ needs for education and counseling about genomics.

Click here to view posters and publications about the Tumor Molecular Profiling project!

Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for chronic diseases and other long-term complications due to their cancer and its treatment. Many cancer centers host clinical survivorship care programs for routine monitoring of ongoing risks, and co-address survivors’ mental health needs. However, trends indicate that many patients are unable to attend these programs due to a variety of structural and social challenges. We are investigating why some surviving patients become “lost to follow-up”, and how barriers to accessing and maintaining healthcare can be removed.

Click here to view posters and publications about the Childhood Cancer Survivors project!

Curative gene therapy is a breakthrough for several inherited or acquired hematologic diseases. It involves the introduction of a functional gene to replace a mutated gene or a therapeutic gene to provide a missing or defective protein to patients. We're studying decision-making and quality of life among adult patients, and parents of pediatric patients, with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease to understand factors that influence patients' uptake and behavioral outcomes of this promising cure.