Current Members
I am a molecular and cancer epidemiologist interested in understanding multilevel determinants of adverse outcomes among individuals diagnosed with breast, ovarian, or melanoma cancer. I am also interested in epidemiologic methods, specifically related to validation substudy design, quantitative bias analysis, and the use of Bayesian statistics to answer epidemiologic questions. My research in the Doherty lab includes 1) the evaluation of the contribution of comorbidities and tumor immune biomarkers to racial and ethnic disparities in ovarian cancer outcomes using the KPNC study, 2) understanding risk and timing of ovarian cancer recurrence, and gene expression signatures associated with ovarian cancer recurrence using resources available through the UPDB, and 3) understanding multilevel predictors of melanoma recurrence and mortality in Utah.
Education:
PhD, Emory University, Epidemiology
MPH, Emory University, Global Epidemiology
BSc, University of British Columbia, Biochemistry & Spanish
Personal Interests:
Frolicking in the mountains, puppies (especially Nadia), reading
I am an epidemiologist interested in risk factors for the development of gynecologic cancers in women and health disparities in cancer survivorship among different racial and ethnic populations. My responsibilities with the Doherty Lab include study management, data coding, statistical analysis, and preparation of reports for presentations and publications.
Education:
BS, Biology, Baylor University, 2013
MPH, Epidemiology, OHSU/PSU, 2022
Personal Interests:
Hiking, reading, watching anime and trying new cuisine!
I am currently working towards a PhD in population health sciences with an emphasis in clinical and translational epidemiology. My research interests include environmental exposures associated with cancer incidence and mortality, LGBTQ+ and racial disparities in cancer, as well as genetic and molecular cancer epidemiology. I am also a climate action advocate and aspire to use data-driven research to support climate change policies.
Education:
PhD Student in Population Health Sciences, Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Track, University of Utah (Expected 2027)
BSc, Weber State University, 2018
Personal Interests:
I enjoy acrylic painting, reading non-fiction novels, quiet dinner parties with friends and family, traveling, being surrounded by nature, making coffee, and going for walks with my partner (Peter) and our miniature schnauzer (Joelle).
I am a molecular epidemiologist interested in modifiable lifestyle factors and disparities in the contexts of cancer prevention, early detection, and survival. I am involved in coordinating and researching in many of the Doherty Lab's exciting research studies. My research with the lab includes pre-diagnosis biomarkers for lung cancer risk and survival in heavy smokers, pathways to diagnosis in lung cancer cases ineligible for screening, statewide race and ethnic disparities in cancer incidence and risk factors in Utah, and modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet over the ovarian cancer survivorship trajectory in the Ovarian Health and Lifestyle Study.
Education:
PhD, Epidemiology, University at Buffalo (SUNY), 2017
MA, Mathematics, University at Buffalo (SUNY), 2013
Personal Interests:
Laughing, animals (especially Kaiser), being outside, live music
I am a recent Master of Public Health graduate from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology. My research interests include women’s health, HPV-associated cancers, and understanding cancer risk and health disparities that disproportionately burden underserved and minority communities. As a member of the Doherty Research Group, my role is to coordinate the recruitment and data collection efforts for the Ovarian Health and Lifestyle Study. My long-term goals are to explore the field of cancer and women’s health research, while gaining new skills and knowledge in epidemiological methods, study design and management, grant writing, and data collection.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, Utah State University, 2020; Minor in Chemistry
Master of Public Health in Global Health Epidemiology, University of Michigan, 2022; Certificate in Social Epidemiology
Personal Interests:
Exploring the outdoors, horseback riding, animals, and spending time with family & friends.
I am interested in leveraging genetic and molecular epidemiologic principles to improve cancer outcomes. My research with the lab includes investigating biologic and environmental factors and their potential associations with ovarian cancer survival. As a research assistant, my role in the lab includes conducting systematic literature reviews, designing and executing epidemiologic analyses, performing patient recruitment, enrollment, and coordination and conducting qualitative patient and provider interviews.
Education:
PhD Student in Population Health Sciences, Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Track, University of Utah (Expected 2024)
MPH, University of Arizona, 2019
BSc, University of Arizona, 2017
Personal Interests:
Running, skiing, coffee, traveling
My research interests include identifying modifiable exposures that influence cancer risk, and examining sociodemographic and cultural patterns of exposures that contribute to inequities in cancer risk and outcomes. My lung cancer-focused work in the lab includes examining combined radon/smoking and histotype-specific associations by sex and racial and ethnic group and identifying pathways to diagnosis among unscreened individuals. My dissertation research includes a statewide characterization of tattooing in Utah and an exploration of associations with risk factors and cancer risk.
Education:
PhD Student in Population Health Sciences, Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Track, University of Utah (in progress)
MPH, University of Utah, 2018
Personal Interest:
Bowie and Clara dogs, skiing, fiber art, motorcycles
Former Lab Members
I am an aspiring public health advocate and physician assistant student. I am passionate about maternal and child health, improving health outcomes, and health equity. In the summer of 2022, I got to work in the Jen Doherty lab as a PathMaker Research Scholar with the Ovarian Health and Lifestyle Study (OHLS) where I looked closely at supplement use and ovarian cancer and researched the changes in supplement usage over the survivorship trajectory. I aim to continue pursuing a career in the health sciences and aid underserved populations.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in health, society, and policy (in process), University of Utah
Where they are now:
Third-year undergraduate student, University of Utah
Manisha was a senior at East High School in Salt Lake City when she joined the Doherty Lab during the summer of 2019. Along with Dr. Laurie Grieshober, she characterized cancer incidence and mortality patterns in Pacific Islander men and women in Utah and compared prevalence of risk factors and health-seeking behaviors across race/ethnicity groups.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management (in process)
Where they are now:
Third-year undergraduate student, University of Utah
Dr. Barnard is a molecular and genetic epidemiologist whose research focuses on the epidemiology of breast and ovarian cancers. She is especially interested in identifying modifiable factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer risk and survival, and characterizing the molecular and genetic etiology of ovarian cancer.
Education:
ScD, Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2018
Where they are now:
Assistant Professor, Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
My research interests involve racial, socioeconomic, and immigrant disparities in healthcare treatment. While with the Doherty Lab, my primary roles were patient recruitment, enrollment, and data collection for the Melanoma Health and Lifestyle Study.
Education:
HBS, Kinesiology, University of Utah, 2020
Where they are now:
Carlo is applying to medical school, hoping to focus on aiding disadvantaged communities with better access to care.
As a member of the Doherty Lab during the summer of 2019, I worked to understand if clinical patterns existed in the pathways cancer patients take through the healthcare system. My interests were focused on finding earlier detection of ovarian and lung cancers.
Education:
MD Candidate, UUSOM, 2022
Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, SUU, 2017
Where they are now:
Samantha is in her fourth year of medical school at the University of Utah. She is in the process of applying for residency in Family Medicine.
I am a lifelong student of science with the ambition of getting a PHD in psychology or neuroscience. I am currently Study Coordinator for Huntsman Cancer Institute and Utah Cancer Registry with a great passion and love for research.
Education:
BS, Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, 2016
My research interests include understanding the experiences of female patients, especially surgical patients. I especially am interested in improving communication between surgeons and patients.
Education:
MD, University of Utah School of Medicine, 2022
MS in Tumor Biology, Georgetown University, 2018
BSin Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, 2017
Where they are now:
4th year medical student at UUSOM currently applying to general surgery residency.
I am a honors graduate with medical school aspirations and an interest in public health. As a member of the Doherty lab, I focus on patient enrollment and data collection for the Melanoma Health and Lifestyle Study.
Education:
HBS, Health Society and Policy, University of Utah, 2023
I’m interested in population health and understanding barriers to care, and am also passionate about women’s healthcare issues. I got to work on a project over summer 2020 aimed at investigating the pathways to ovarian cancer diagnosis, and how those pathways may differ for people living in rural locations. My goal is to continue to be an advocate for healthcare equity!
Education:
Biology BS, University of Utah, 2015
MD Candidate, University of Utah, Class of 2023
Where they are now:
Third year medical student, University of Utah
My interests include conducting active drug safety surveillance using Sentinel System and conducting epidemiological studies on adverse drug events involving opioid use. My previous work involved assessing occupational, environmental, and genetic exposures in relation to cancer risk.
Education:
BS, James Madison University, Harrisonburg Virginia, 2002
MPH, George Washington University, Washington DC, 2004
PhD, George Washington University, Washington DC, 2009
Where they are now:
Senior Epidemiologist, The US Food & Drug Administration, Silver Spring Maryland
Generally, I am interested in researching the applications of computation to health phenomena. This ranges from infectious disease math modeling to biostatistical analyses of health disparities, as I researched in the Doherty lab. Throughout my time at the Doherty lab, I presented at AACR 2020 & 2021 and authored a manuscript on our work. I am now pursuing a degree in Biomedical Computation at Stanford, and hope to work in a quantitative research position in the future.
Education:
Biomedical Computation, Stanford University – in process
Where they are now:
While completing my undergraduate studies at Stanford, I currently work in a social epidemiology laboratory under Dr. Yulin Hswen.
Stanford/UCSF Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute
I’m interested in learning more about factors that influence access to care and overall patient experience for folks with cancer. I’m interested in pursuing medical oncology and hope to better understand how to help patients through their cancer journey. My roles in the Doherty lab include participant screening and data entry for the Ovarian Health and Lifestyle Study.
Education:
Public Health BS, BYU, 2020
MD Candidate, Class of 2025, University of Utah School of Medicine
Where they are now:
Fourth-year Medical Student, University of Utah
My research interests focus on addressing and improving health disparities among women and within the Latinx community. As a RUUTE scholar, I was introduced to the Ovarian Health and Lifestyle Study (OHLS), which fostered a deep appreciation for evidence-based care and solidified my desire to pursue a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. After completing the RUUTE program, I continued my involvement with OHLS as a data analyst, where I performed data entry and prepared participant information for further research.
Education:
BS in Exercise and Wellness with a Minor in Gerontology, Brigham Young University, 2022
Where they are now:
1st-year Physician Assistant Student (in process), University of Utah
I'm interested in clinical oncology research and understanding the clinical patterns preceding lung and ovarian cancer diagnoses, I explored these interests with the Doherty Lab during the summers of 2019 and 2020.
Education:
MD, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT, May 2022
BS-Biology, Dixie State University St. George UT
Where they are now:
San Antonio Military Medical Center, Internal Medicine Residency, San Antonio, TX
I completed my PhD focused in lung cancer and NLP identification of smoking behaviors in electronic health records (EHR) with Dr. Doherty and Dr. Onega at Dartmouth College. During my time at Dartmouth under Dr.’s Doherty and Onega, I was also awarded the Burroughs Wellcome Big Data in the Life Sciences fellowship. Afterwards I completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Case Western Reserve as a TL1 fellow under the supervision of Dr. William Bush, researching Alzheimer’s genetics and building an EHR chronic kidney disease research registry. I now leverage the skills built from working with these diverse research topics in my work at Aetna where I build risk prediction models.
Education:
PhD, Dartmouth College, 2018
Where they are now:
Senior Data Scientist, Aetna
I am interested in infectious disease epidemiology and hope one day to work at a county or state health department as an epidemiologist. In the lab, I helped QC responses on the Tattoo & Blood Cancer/Melanoma study and calculated some preliminary statistics.
Education:
MPH, Brigham Young University, 2022
BS, Brigham Young University, 2020
Where they are now:
Master's Student, Brigham Young University
I studied anthropology with an emphasis in public health at the University of Utah. I am currently a student in the Pre-matriculation Readiness of Ongoing Medical Student Success at the U (PROMIS2U) program preparing to begin medical school in the Fall of 2022. While completing my undergraduate studies, I worked in several clinical research labs as a phlebotomist and lab coordinator. As a study coordinator for the Doherty Lab, I am responsible for interviewing patients for the Malignancy Health and Lifestyle as well as patient recruitment and enrollment for the Ovarian Health and Lifestyle Study. My research interests include rural-urban health disparities, specifically among women and underserved populations.
Education:
PROMIS2U Program, University of Utah, 2021-2022
BS, Anthropology, Public Health Emphasis, University of Utah, 2018
Lab Mascots
Bowie
Chloe
Clara
Honey Bee
Joelle
Kaiser
Kiko
Lucky Luke
Nadia
