Groundbreaking Study: Child Prodigy Reveals Deep Understanding of Cancer Predicament
Dr. Lauren Ghazal, a rising star in the field of nursing science, has moved to Rochester this summer as an associate member of Wilmot's Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) research program and an assistant professor at the nursing school. Her journey, marked by a personal battle with Hodgkin lymphoma, has been instrumental in shaping her research trajectory towards enhancing psychosocial support and healthcare delivery for young cancer survivors, with a particular focus on sexual and gender minority groups.
While in her Ph.D. program, Lauren Ghazal was diagnosed with early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 26. During her cancer therapy, she found herself questioning the purpose of her experiences. This introspection led her to a deeper understanding of the importance of her career in nursing and research.
"Cancer disrupted my career unexpectedly, but it helped me understand the purpose of my career," Dr. Ghazal shared. She feels blessed to contribute to nursing science as a patient, provider, and researcher, and hopes to continue this important work in a long career.
Dr. Ghazal's research aims to better understand and improve cancer care delivery and supportive services for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), including those from minority groups that are frequently overlooked in cancer survivorship research. Her scholarship, supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute, advances knowledge on how psychosocial factors impact the quality of life and long-term outcomes of cancer survivors who belong to marginalized communities.
At Wilmot, Dr. Ghazal will work with Dr. Charles Kamen, PhD, MPH, associate professor of Surgery, who focuses on factors that lead to health disparities in the sexual and gender minority population. She will also collaborate with Dr. AnnaLynn Williams, PhD, assistant professor of Surgery and a fellow young-adult cancer survivor, who studies accelerated aging among young people who had cancer.
Meghan Underhill-Blazey, PhD, a University of Rochester School of Nursing junior faculty member, played a significant role in recruiting Dr. Ghazal to Rochester. Dr. Ghazal's oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) in Manhattan also used research from Dr. Jonathan Friedberg, MD, MMSc, a director at Wilmot Cancer Institute and a worldwide lymphoma expert, in her treatment plan.
During her cancer therapy, Dr. Ghazal couldn't work clinically because her immune system was compromised, leading to lost income. For her dissertation, she interviewed 40 young adult cancer survivors and focused on their work trajectory before and after diagnosis, and work-related goals. This research has taken a slight turn to focus on young individuals from underrepresented backgrounds who have cancer, particularly people in sexual and gender minority groups.
Dr. Ghazal's work is not just about research; it's about promoting resilience and addressing the often unmet psychosocial needs in these populations. She is a co-principal investigator on a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) engagement award for a project to build a research base to support this group. Her research is pivotal in reducing disparities and promoting resilience in these vulnerable groups through targeted research and interventions.
Born into a family where her father was the primary caregiver and her mother was the primary breadwinner, Dr. Ghazal's personal journey reflects her commitment to advocating for underrepresented communities. She was chosen as a STAT Wunderkind, a "next-generation scientific superstar," in a national contest that singles out young, high achievers from top research institutions. Her journey from studying economics in college, to nursing school, becoming an advanced practitioner and researcher of the global nurse workforce, and enrolling in a Ph.D. program, is a testament to her relentless pursuit of knowledge and her dedication to making a difference in the lives of young cancer survivors.
- Dr. Ghazal's research focuses on improving cancer care delivery and supportive services for young adults, especially those from marginalized communities and sexual and gender minorities.
- Her work aims to understand the impact of psychosocial factors on the quality of life and long-term outcomes of these cancer survivors.
- During her cancer therapy, she found herself working on a research project that deals with the work trajectory and goals of young adult cancer survivors.
- Her research now expands to include underrepresented individuals with cancer, with a particular focus on people from sexual and gender minority groups.
- Besides cancer, Dr. Ghazal is also interested in other medical-conditions and chronic diseases, as well as health-and-wellness, eye-health, skin-care, and mental-health, all of which have potential to be part of her future research endeavors.
- Neurological-disorders and digestive-health are other key areas in health science that Dr. Ghazal might consider researching for a more holistic approach to health support and delivery.
- Furthermore, respiratory-conditions and autoimmune-disorders are medical issues thatDr. Ghazal, given her passion for healthcare and research, may seek to address in her ongoing career, aiming to reduce disparities and improve healthcare outcomes for all.
