Staff: Amanda M. Acevedo, PhD

Amanda M. Acevedo, PhD

• Basic Biobehavioral and Psychological Sciences Branch (BBPSB)
• Behavioral Research Program (BRP)

NOTE: Dr. Acevedo is a Program Director in the Behavioral Research Program. This page reflects her time as a fellow; find her staff profile here.

Amanda M. Acevedo, Ph.D., was a Cancer Research Training Award (CRTA) fellow in the Basic Biobehavioral and Psychological Sciences Branch (BBPSB) with a secondary appointment in the Health Behaviors Research Branch (HBRB) of the Behavioral Research Program from 2019-2021.

Dr. Acevedo's research focuses on sociocultural factors that influence biobehavioral responses to stress. Dr. Acevedo is facilitating the selection of biospecimens for the Food, Activity, and Couples Health Survey and is interested in examining how biospecimens are currently being used in BRP grants. She also wants to pursue research examining how social factors (e.g., relationships, discrimination, culture) impact health behaviors and biomarkers of stress and health, particularly in Latino samples. Topics of interest include how culture influences emotion and emotional expressions, Latino health, health inequities, and stress

As a fellow, Dr. Acevedo was instrumental in establishing the Achieving Equity in Cancer Pain Management Webinar Series. The series uses a multilevel perspective to examine the factors that individually and jointly affect disparities in the quality and outcomes of cancer pain management, and considers approaches to reduce the unequal burden of suffering.

Dr. Acevedo earned a Ph.D. in Psychology and Social Behavior with a Health Psychology major and a Quantitative Methods minor from the University of California, Irvine. She also holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated November 2021

Current Title
Program Director
Basic Biobehavioral and Psychological Sciences Branch, NCI Behavioral Research Program

How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
My fellowship in BRP played a key role in my career path because I was able to explore careers in government. I gained the necessary skills and experience to qualify for a Program Director position through my work in BRP. Specifically, I contributed to working groups aimed at developing concepts for funding opportunities, helped conduct a portfolio analysis of existing grants, and assisted in planning and organizing a conference and a webinar series. In doing this work, I realized that I truly enjoy supporting scientific and programmatic initiatives and that I wanted to pursue a career as a Program Director.

Describe a favorite memory or two from your fellowship experience.
When I introduced the new webinar series and the speakers in the first webinar for the Achieving Equity in Cancer Pain Management webinar series after months of meetings and planning.

Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I am a Program Director in the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the National Cancer Institute. In this role, I will manage a portfolio of research related to basic biobehavioral and psychological science research.

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions

• Collaborative Research Award for Trainees (CRAFT), 2020

Current and/or past BRP mentors include Rebecca Ferrer, Tanya Agurs-Collins and Annette Kaufman.

Current and/or past BRP mentees include Romy RW and Jacqueline (Jacky) Hua.

Selected Publications and Presentations

• Gibson LP, Ferrer RA, Meghani SH, Acevedo AM. Potential role of cannabis in ameliorating observed racialized disparities in cancer pain management. J Natl Cancer Inst 2024 Mar 12; djae058.
• Cross MP, Acevedo AM, Hunter JF. A Critique of Automated Approaches to Code Facial Expressions: What Do Researchers Need to Know? Affect Sci 2023 Jul 10; 4(3):500-505.
• Hunter JF, Acevedo AM, Gago-Masague S, Kain A, Yun C, Torno L, Jenkins BN, Fortier MA. A pilot study of the preliminary efficacy of Pain Buddy: A novel intervention for the management of children's cancer-related pain. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020 Oct; 67(10).
• Acevedo AM, Herrera C, Shenhav S, Yim IS, Campos B. Measurement of a Latino cultural value: The Simpatía scale. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol 2020 Oct; 26(4):419-425.
• Ferrer RA, Acevedo AM, Agurs-Collins TD. COVID-19 and Social Distancing Efforts-Implications for Cancer Control. JAMA Oncol 2021 Apr 1; 7(4):503-504.

To request edits to this profile, please contact us at ncidccpsbrpadvances@mail.nih.gov.