Grantee: Carolyn Y. Fang

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Carolyn Y. Fang

Carolyn Y. Fang, PhD, MA

Behavioral Scientist
BBPSB PAST FEATURED GRANTEE
Organization:
  • Fox Chase Cancer Center

As co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Carolyn Fang's, Ph.D., M.A., primary research interests involve investigating how biobehavioral factors relate to cancer risk and disease progression. Her laboratory was the first to demonstrate that psychological stress is associated with dysregulation of cell-mediated immune response to human papillomavirus (HPV), an oncogenic virus that can cause cervical cancer and some head and neck cancers. A related focus of research involves identifying biobehavioral pathways that may contribute to health disparities in Asian-American populations.

Dr. Fang and colleagues are investigating longitudinal associations of psychosocial factors (e.g., perceived stress, anxiety) with expression of NK and T cell activation markers and functional activity in patients diagnosed with indolent forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This research will also explore the expression of several inhibitory "immune checkpoint" receptors on T and NK cells, novel biomarkers that provide sensitive indicators of immune function, which will contribute to a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying stress-related immune alterations in cancer.

I appreciate the opportunity to work with investigators from diverse disciplines, as well as with community members and patient advocates, because they inspire me to learn new concepts and broaden my thinking in novel ways, as we all work toward a common and united goal to reduce the burden of cancer.”

Selected Grants