Grantee: Charles S. Kamen, PhD, MPH

Charles S. Kamen, PhD, MPH

Organization:

• University of Rochester

Current Title
Associate Professor, Division of Supportive Care in Cancer

Describe your scientific identity.
A clinical psychologist by training, I currently conduct community-engaged cancer health equity research focused on the psychosocial well-being of historically minoritized cancer patients and their caregivers.

What are your research interests?
My overarching interest is assessing and addressing factors that lead to cancer health inequities, with a focus on both individual- and systems-level factors. My two current lines of research cover: 1) relationship-based intervention development for sexual and gender minority (SGM) cancer patients and their caregivers, and 2) examining differences in outcomes from immunotherapy among Black and White cancer patients.

What is the significance of your current research project?
My current R34 award proposes to adapt an evidence-based cancer caregiving intervention, the FOCUS Program, to work for SGM cancer patients and their caregivers. This is the first time in my career that the community came to me to do a project! Our community advisory board picked the topic of this grant and selected the FOCUS Program to adapt. We have gotten robust community feedback through focus groups about the adaptation and are now initiating a clinical trial of the adapted intervention.

What motivated you to work in health behaviors research?
I have always been fascinated by people and relationships. I double-majored in English and Psychology in college, and my first choice of career was to do a Master of Fine Arts and become an author. My father begged me to consider applying my interest in the context of human lives to a more scientific pursuit. This led to my decision to get my PhD in psychology instead, an occupation that gives me plenty of opportunity to write!

Describe something that had a profound influence on your program of research or scientific interests (an "ah-ha!" moment).
My focus on using relationships to influence behavior was really derived from my relationship with my partners. We continually motivate each other to do somewhat unpleasant healthy behaviors, like going to the gym. This realization led to my K award, which tested a relationship-based exercise program for SGM cancer patients and their caregivers.

Selected training, awards, and honors:

• Graduate Certificate in LGBT Health and Policy, George Washington University (2016)
• Member, Equity Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2023 to present)
• President, American Psychosocial Oncology Society (2024-2027)

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