Staff

Our team of accomplished scientists, research associates, fellows, and administrators is dedicated to advancing cancer-related behavioral science research. This staff directory can help you:

  • find the appropriate contact for a research project.
  • learn more about our network of mentorship and collaboration.
  • browse our program staff's range of talents and professional backgrounds.

You are welcome to contact our staff to learn more about behavioral research at the National Cancer Institute.



Photo Last Name First Name Title Research Areas Branch/ Office
Amanda Acevedo Acevedo Amanda Program Director Psychophysiological influences on cancer control; Emotions and facial expressions; Stress and resilience; Pain and health disparities; Latino culture and health BBPSB, HCIRB
Kelly Blake Blake Kelly Program Director Media effects; Social epidemiology; Communication inequality; Public health policy; Tobacco control; Survey research methods; Rural cancer control HCIRB, TCRB
Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou Chou Wen-Ying Sylvia Program Director Social media; Palliative care and goals of care communication; Patient-provider communication; Qualitative and mixed methods health research; Health literacy; Global cancer control research; Health-related misinformation HCIRB
Heather D'Angelo D'Angelo Heather Program Director Place and health; Climate change; Health equity; Multilevel interventions; Public health policy; Health behavior change; Communication inequalities HCIRB, HBRB
Anna Gaysynsky Gaysynsky Anna Contractor, ICF International HCIRB
Katie Heley Heley Katie Cancer Prevention Fellow Health communication; Visual communication; Stigma; Media; Ethics HCIRB
Irina Iles Iles Irina Program Director Communication of science; Message effects; Health behavior change; Health-related misinformation; Survey and experimental designs HCIRB
Abigail Muro Muro Abigail Cancer Research Training Award Fellow HCIRB
Wendy Nelson Nelson Wendy Program Director Decision making/behavioral economics; Bioethics; Adherence; Adherence to new cancer therapies; Communicating genetic risk; Cognitive effects of cancer and cancer treatment BBPSB, HCIRB
Nicole Senft Everson Senft Everson Nicole Program Director Interpersonal health communication; Intergroup Interactions; Technology-mediated communication; Affective experience and behavior; eHealth and mHealth disparities; Survey and experimental research methods HCIRB, BBPSB
Robin Vanderpool Vanderpool Robin Branch Chief, HCIRB Rural cancer control; HPV vaccination; Digital health; Patient-provider communication; Community outreach and engagement; Cancer control across the continuum of care HCIRB