Staff: Olga M. Herren, PhD
Olga M. Herren, PhD
Cancer Research Training Award Fellow
Olga Herren, Ph.D., was a Cancer Research Training Award Fellow in the Behavioral Research Program's Health Behaviors Research Branch (HBRB) from 2019-2021.
Dr. Herren's research focused on examining interactions between cognition, eating behavior patterns, and biological mechanisms that contribute to obesity and cancer risk. She was interested in how cognitive functioning may impact eating behavior patterns and how biological mechanisms are influenced by these interactions to contribute to obesity and related cancer risk.
Dr. Herren's research also examined the impact of attentional control and various lifestyle factors on immunodynamics in minority populations that contribute to health disparities.
Dr. Herren was also interested in identifying differences in biopsychosocial determinants of health that contribute to health disparities, and in the influence of culture and life perspective on health behaviors.
Dr. Herren earned her master's degree and Ph.D. in neuropsychology from Howard University. She received her B.S. in psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated January 2022
Current Title
Social Behavioral Scientist Administrator (Program Officer)
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
This fellowship had provided me with intensive training in program administration and allowed me to prepare myself for a career in government. By learning more about how to develop and achieve program priorities and support extramural research, my own skills as an independent researcher have been strengthened and refined.
Describe a favorite memory or two from your fellowship experience.
My favorite fellowship memories were the personal interactions I had with my fellow coworkers. It was an incredibly supportive environment and there was a connection to my colleagues that led to me really enjoy my time working with them.
Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I'm a Social Behavioral Scientist Administrator (Program Officer) at NIMHD. I focus on promoting research that expands understanding of multilevel determinants of health behaviors and how populations are differentially impacted, driving health disparities.
Awards, Honors, and Recognitions
- DCCPS Outstanding Fellow Performance Award, May 2020
Current and/or past BRP mentors include Tanya Agurs-Collins.
Selected Publications and Presentations
- Herren OM, Agurs-Collins T, Dwyer LA, Perna FM, Ferrer R. Emotion suppression, coping strategies, dietary patterns, and BMI. Eat Behav 2021 Apr; 41.
- Herren OM, Burris SE, Levy SA, Kirk K, Banks KS, Jones VL, Beard B, Mwendwa DT, Callender CO, Campbell AL. The influence of spirituality on depression-induced inflammation and executive functioning in a community sample of African Americans. Ethnicity and Disease 2019; 29(2).
To request edits to this profile, please contact us at ncidccpsbrpadvances@mail.nih.gov.