BS, FASCO
Research Manager, Patient Advocates for Research Council
Office of Community Outreach and Engagement
Patty Spears provides scientific leadership and guidance to advance translational breast cancer trials.
Patty also provides advocacy leadership for UNC Lineberger, including leadership of the Patient Advocates for Research Council (PARC) and the Lineberger Excellence in Advocacy Program (LEAP) in the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement.
Patty hopes to combine her scientific research and patient research advocacy experience to have an impact on the local and national fight against breast cancer.
Awards and Honors
- Susan G. Komen Research Advocacy Champion Award, 2023
- Fellows of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, ASCO, 2023
- Patient Advocate Award, ASCO, 2022
- Distinguished Public Service Award, AACR, 2020
News and Stories

UNC Lineberger and UNC faculty and trainees present findings at AACR annual meeting
Nearly 30 UNC Lineberger and UNC faculty and trainees will present findings and participate during the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting in Chicago, April 25-30.

Electronic reporting of symptoms by cancer patients can improve quality of life and reduce emergency visits
The PRO-TECT randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess the real-world impact of electronic patient-reported outcomes symptom monitoring on clinical outcomes compared to usual care.