Dr. Greenlee's research focuses on the use of lifestyle modifications and complementary and integrative medicine for breast cancer prevention and control, with a specific interest in Latina breast cancer survivors. Dr. Greenlee uses observational studies and clinical trials to identify what women can do, in addition to conventional treatment, to prevent breast cancer, decrease side effects of treatment, and improve prognosis. The overarching goal is to provide cancer survivors, families, and clinicians with the evidence needed to make informed decisions about which behaviors to engage in and which integrative therapies to use. Dr. Greenlee has particular interest in conducting behavioral trials related to dietary modification, increasing physical activity, and weight management in underserved and vulnerable populations, who bear a large burden of cancer and chronic disease. Dr. Greenlee works from the framework that if effective strategies are identified to change behaviors in vulnerable populations, these strategies can then be applied to larger and more generalizable populations.

In the current research project, Dr. Greenlee has partnered with a community-based organization, Cook For Your Life (www.cookforyourlife.org), to test the effects of a diet and physical activity intervention to improve the lifestyle behaviors of Latina breast cancer survivors living in New York City. This study builds upon findings from a previous NCI funded R21 that showed that a hands-on skills building approach is highly effective at increase fruit and vegetable consumption in this population. The study is a 2x2 factorial designed trial that will test the individual and combined effects of in-person hands-on classes and electronic communication via text, email and websites. The overarching goal of this project is to identify the best methods to instruct breast cancer survivors to achieve healthy lifestyle habits and to maintain these changes over time