PhD, CSCS
Associate Professor, Exercise and Sports Science
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Prevention and Control
Areas of Interest
My research interests are on enhancing physical function and quality of life in individuals diagnosed with cancer. Specifically, the exercise oncology research laboratory (EORL) is exploring the role of acute and chronic exercise training on the alleviation of cancer treatment-related side effects. We are fortunate to be collaborate with several groups within LCCC across multiple cancer types. The first goal of the lab is to maintain muscle mass and function during and following cancer treatment, most notable with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). An important finding from our work is that vigorous resistance training stimulates robust increases in muscle protein synthesis that ultimately led to improvements in lean mass, strength, and function that was similar to healthy men with no history of cancer. Thus, this indicates that men on ADT have good capacity to respond to exercise, provided that the dose and intensity are sufficient. Our current challenge is to create exercise interventions that are sustainable and scalable while maintaining effectiveness, which we are currently pursuing using home-based trials in more advanced disease. A second area is incorporating blood biomarkers and immune function in cancer survivors. While exercise training is recommended for improving cardiorespiratory function, body composition, and muscle strength, the benefits on inflammation and immune function are less clear. Highlights from our work in these areas show an attenuated stress hormone and immune responses to acute exercise that are partially rescued following 16 weeks of training. Moreover, exercise trainings can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, along with in vitro cancer cell viability. Finally, cardiovascular disease risk profiles are elevated in cancer survivors. While the risk is multi-factorial, poor sleep, physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior are all likely contributors. We are exploring how changing the 24 hour movement behaviors across the cancer continuum alters non-invasive measures of cardiovascular function. By detecting the elevated risk profiles in the early stages, we seek to mitigate the impact by increasing physical activity and reducing prolonged bouts of sitting using targeted approaches that examine the facilitators and barriers to healthy behavior across multiple different levels.
