Wilmot Cancer Institute Appoints Karen Mustian as Associate Director for Population Science
Karen Mustian, a renowned researcher specializing in Cancer Prevention and Control, has been promoted to the position of Associate Director of Population Science at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, effective July 1, 2023.
Dr. Mustian's career at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Wilmot has been marked by significant achievements, including increasing peer-reviewed funding for the CPC program by 67% and expanding the program by recruiting 12 new members.
Overview of Contributions
Dr. Mustian’s research primarily centers on symptom management, exercise oncology, and quality of life improvements for cancer patients and survivors. She is widely recognized for pioneering work on using physical activity and exercise interventions to mitigate side effects of cancer and its treatments, such as fatigue, cognitive impairments, and sleep disturbances.
Mustian has contributed extensively to developing evidence-based interventions that improve physical and psychological symptoms experienced by cancer patients. Her work extends beyond clinical trials, aiming to translate research findings into practice through community programs and integrated clinical services.
Timeline & Further Details
Dr. Mustian began her focus on behavioral interventions for cancer patients during her graduate training and early academic career. Initial studies explored the effects of exercise on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life.
In the early 2010s, she published several landmark papers demonstrating the effectiveness of yoga and physical activity in improving sleep, fatigue, and cognitive function in patients with various cancers, including breast and prostate cancer. This period saw the launch of larger randomized controlled trials funded by NIH and other agencies.
Expanding her research to include diverse populations and cancer types at Wilmot Cancer Institute, Dr. Mustian developed and tested novel interventions integrating physical, psychological, and social approaches to symptom control. Recognized with awards and funding for translational research, she continued her leadership in national consortia on exercise oncology, including contributions to guidelines for physical activity among cancer survivors.
In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Mustian led the adaptation of interventions for remote and home-based delivery. She is currently involved in ongoing clinical trials exploring digital health tools, personalized exercise prescriptions, and mechanisms underpinning symptom improvement through exercise.
Impact at Wilmot Cancer Institute
Dr. Mustian's impact at Wilmot Cancer Institute is evident in the establishment of a strong program in Cancer Prevention and Control focused on exercise and symptom management. She has been instrumental in integrating supportive care into routine cancer treatment and collaborating multidisciplinary teams combining oncology, psychology, and rehabilitation sciences.
As a mentor, Dr. Mustian has nurtured the next generation of researchers in cancer survivorship, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence at Wilmot Cancer Institute.
For more detailed project descriptions, university or Wilmot Cancer Institute researcher profiles, and NIH grant databases may provide further insight into Dr. Mustian's work.
- Dr. Mustian's research, focusing on clinical trials for exercise and physical activity interventions to manage cancer-related side effects like fatigue, cognitive impairments, and sleep disturbances, significantly contributes to the science of health-and-wellness and the medical-conditions associated with cancer.
- By expanding the Cancer Prevention and Control program at the Wilmot Cancer Institute and increasing peer-reviewed funding, Dr. Mustian has demonstrated her commitment to improving patient care and fitness-and-exercise interventions for cancer survivors.
- Dr. Mustian's work extends beyond academic settings, aiming to translate her research findings into practice through community programs and integrated clinical services, thereby improving the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors in terms of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise.
