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PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Prevention and Control

Area of Interest

Valle is a nutrition scientist with training in biology, epidemiology, health communication, and behavioral sciences. Her research interests focus on developing and evaluating digital behavior change interventions to eliminate disparities in cancer.

Valle’s work addresses:

  1. Novel strategies to improve nutrition, physical activity, and weight control in cancer survivors, with a particular emphasis on young adults and minority populations
  2. Implementing behavioral interventions related to cancer prevention and control with potential for scalability and dissemination through the use of technology
  3. Optimizing tailored health communications to improve cancer prevention behaviors

She has conducted physical activity and weight management interventions for cancer survivors using Facebook, wearable activity trackers, and digital scales.

Valle is Principal Investigator of a grant funded through the National Cancer Institute to evaluate the efficacy of a theory-based, mobile- and Facebook-delivered physical activity intervention for young adult cancer survivors. In addition, she is Co-Principal Investigator on a Gillings Innovation Lab, focused on developing just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) around wearable and connected health devices, and on a study testing a mobile health intervention to promote physical activity in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Other recently completed projects include an evaluation of the effects of tailored health messages on intentions to engage in cancer prevention behaviors and a cultural adaptation of a tailored health assessment tool for Latino cancer survivors.

Awards and Honors

  • 2019-present: Fellow, Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Training Workshop (R25 CA203650)
  • 2019: Trainee, Optimization of Behavioral and Biobehavioral Interventions, The Methodology Center, Penn State University (P50 DA039838)
  • 2019-present: Chair, Behavioral Science & Health Communication Special Interest Group, American Society of Preventive Oncology
  • 2019-present: Member, Program Committee, 2020 Society of Behavioral Medicine 41st Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions, Society of Behavioral
  • 2018-2019: Member, Program Committee, 2019 Society of Behavioral Medicine 40th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions, Society of Behavioral Medicine
  • 2017-2019: Vice Chair, Behavioral Science & Health Communication Special Interest Group, American Society of Preventive Oncology
  • 2017: Citation Abstract Award, 38th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, Society of Behavioral Medicine
  • 2014 New Investigators Workshop, American Society of Preventive Oncology
  • 2013 Outstanding Dissertation Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine
  • 2012 Marci Kramish Campbell Dissertation Award Supporting Research Excellence in Cancer and the Population Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • 2012 A. Hughes Bryan Outstanding Doctoral Award, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • 2011 Distinguished Student Award for Excellence in Research, Society of Behavioral Medicine
  • 2009 Cancer Control Education Program Traineeship, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • 2008 Nutrition Training Grant Traineeship, UNC Department of Nutrition
  • 2007 Royster Five-Year Fellowship (Highest Merit Scholarship), UNC Graduate School

Find publications on PubMed