Cheung Research Lab

PORTFOLIO

Inspired by patient wisdom, we conduct user experience (UX) research to inform human-centered products and services by investigating issues of health equity, financial hardship, and embodied research in psychosocial oncology with emphasis on minoritized adolescent & young adult (AYA) cancer patients. Our goal is to eliminate unnecessary suffering.

– Christabel K. Cheung, PhD, MSW
Principal Investigator

Health Equity

Project: Racial and ethnic disparities in risk of chronic health conditions among Hispanic, Black, and Asian adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

Objective: To understand the extent to which a cancer diagnosis exacerbates pre-existent disparities in chronic health conditions among Hispanic, Black, and Asian adolescent and young adult cancer survivors by comparisons to those of the same race or ethnicity without a cancer history using data from the National Health Interview Survey (2009–2018).

Results: Published findings revealing poor outcomes and increased odds of comorbidities in 3 peer-reviewed journal articles:

Socioeconomic status and chronic health conditions in Asian survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors
Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2023)
Excess risk of chronic health conditions in Hispanic survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers
Journal of Cancer Survivorship (2023)
Excess risk of chronic health conditions in Black adolescent and young adult cancer survivors
Journal of Cancer Survivorship (2023)

Project: The After Cancer Study: Social genomics of adolescent and young adult lymphoma survivors

Objective: Identify and define functional genomic pathways through which psychosocial and social environmental risk and resilience factors influence gene regulation in AYA cancer survivors, and thus contribute to a greater understanding of health disparities in post-treatment survivorship.

Results: Reviewed prior studies of social genomics and published findings in a peer-reviewed journal:

Social Genomics as a Framework for Understanding Health Disparities among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Commentary
Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

Project: Disparities in chronic health conditions and psychosocial well-being among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

Objective: To understand the extent to which a cancer diagnosis exacerbates pre-existent disparities in chronic health conditions and psychosocial well-being among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescent and young adult cancer survivors by comparisons to those of the same sexual orientation without a cancer history using data from the National Health Interview Survey (2009–2018).

Results: Findings on disparities in chronic health conditions and psychosocial outcomes published in peer-reviewed journal articles:

Risk of Chronic Health Conditions in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Survivors of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers
Cancer (2024)
Psychological Distress and Mental Health Care Utilization among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Survivors of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer
Supportive Care in Cancer (In press)

Project: Developing a global patient-centered core outcome set for adolescent and young adult oncology

Objective: Develop a globally validated core outcome set product to measure psychosocial outcomes for teen and young adult cancer patients in collaboration with international partners from the UK and The Netherlands Cancer Institute

Results: Reviewed prior studies of core outcome sets in psychosocial oncology and published findings in a peer-reviewed journal: The next step for global adolescent and young adult oncology: Development of a core patient-centered outcome set
Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2022)

Project: Characterizing online user experiences of teens and young adults after cancer

Objective: Explore and explain the user experiences of teens and young adults to explore and describe how online interactions maybe helpful and/or harmful following a diagnosis of cancer.

Results: Findings from this qualitative study revealed important nuances for product developers and service providers to consider for greater inclusivity of young patients online. Results were published in a peer-reviewed journal: A thin line between helpful and harmful Internet usage: Embodied research on Internet experiences among adolescent and young adult cancer patients
Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2022)

Project: Antiracist patient engagement in adolescent and young adult oncology research

Objective: Identify and describe user experiences of underrepresented populations and develop recommendations for policies and practices to dismantle racism and advance antiracist approaches that are co-developed by BIPOC teen and young adult cancer patients and oncology professionals.

Results: Recommendations for antiracist approaches from oncology professionals were published and findings from a mixed-methods Delphi study of BIPOC teen and young adult cancer patients (users) were published in peer-reviewed journal articles, respectively.

BIPOC Experiences of (anti-)Racist Patient Engagement in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Research: an Electronic Delphi Study
Future Oncology (2024)
A call to action: Antiracist patient engagement in adolescent and young adult oncology research and advocacy
Future Oncology (2021)

Project: The impact of a cancer diagnosis on siblings

Objective: Systematically review the scientific body of literature to date on how a cancer diagnosis affects the well-being of siblings of a cancer patient across the lifespan.

Results: Revealed positive and negative impacts of cancer on the well-being of siblings and gaps in knowledge for future research. Results published in a peer-reviewed journal: The impact of a cancer diagnosis on sibling relationships from childhood through young adulthood: A systematic review
Journal of Family Social Work (2020)

Project: Chapter in Oxford University textbook focused on psychosocial well-being of adolescent and young adult cancer patients

Objective: Led review of scientific evidence on the psychosocial care of adolescent and young adult cancer patients and explicated next steps for future research for oncology clinicians, researchers, and policy makers.

Results: Findings published in chapter 88: Adolescent and young adult patients
Psycho-oncology (4th edition). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. (2021)

Project: Chapter in Oxford University textbook focused on palliative care of adolescents and young adults

Objective: Led review of scientific evidence on palliative and end-of-life care for adolescent and young adult cancer patients and detailed guidelines and practices for health care providers interested in improving clinical encounters.

Results: Findings published in chapter 13: Adolescents and young adults living with serious illness
Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work (2nd edition). New York, NY: Oxford University Press (2022)

Project: Exploring teen and young adult preferences for cancer products and services

Objective: Generate user experience findings from teen and young adult cancer patients to inform developers on how to create products consistent with user preferences for cancer information and support.

Results: Findings from mixed-methods study published in Journal of Supportive Care in Cancer (2017)

Financial Hardship

Project: Understanding financial hardship of young military cancer patients

Objective: Research the user experiences of active-duty military young adult cancer patients to explore and describe how they experience financial hardship following a diagnosis of cancer.

Results: Findings were endorsed by the U.S. Army Medical Command, disseminated across all branches of the U.S. Military, and published in a peer-reviewed journal: Capturing the financial hardship of cancer in military adolescent and young adult patients: A conceptual framework
Journal of Psychosocial Oncology (2021)

Project: Developing a patient navigation pathway to reduce the financial toxicity of cancer

Objective: To develop a novel financial navigation pathway that leverages existing patient financial services and resources with corresponding patient-centered, community-informed strategies, via study participants, that may be utilized in routine care to reduce financial hardship among cancer patients.

Results: Financial navigation pathway tool comprised of community-informed intervention strategies published in an open-access peer reviewed journal: Anticipatory guidance: Developing a patient navigation pathway to reduce the financial toxicity of cancer
Medical Research Archives (2023)

Project: The impact of living in low-income geographic areas on cancer outcomes

Objective: Identify and describe the association between living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and worse cancer outcomes for cancer patients, even after receiving optimal health care by participating in clinical trials.

Results: Findings from quantitative analysis were presented at a global research conference and published in a peer-reviewed journal: Persistent disparity: Socioeconomic deprivation and cancer outcomes in patients treated in clinical trials
Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

Project: Measuring the financial burden of cancer

Objective: Systematically review measurement itools used in empirical studies to assess the financial burden of cancer on adolescent and young adult cancer patients and their caregivers.

Results: Systematic review of financial burden assessment in cancer: Evaluation of measures and utility among adolescents and young adults and caregivers
Cancer (2021)

Embodied Research

Project: Young cancer patients as future leaders in the global knowledge economy

Objective: Research user experiences of embodied young cancer patients and make the case for the benefits of their embodied research contributions.

Results: Findings were presented at the 2nd Annual Global AYA Cancer Congress and subsequently published in a peer-reviewed journal: Young cancer patients as future leaders in the global knowledge economy

Project: Podcast Interview for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Objective: Part Two of a special two-part series in which Dr. Christabel Cheung, a two-time Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor, talks about her extraordinary struggles as a young adult with cancer and issues of health disparities, racism and racial insensitivity that BIPOC patients experience.

Results: Interview was published in a long-form podcast: Hodgkin’s lymphoma: Struggles of a young adult with cancer with Dr. Christabel Cheung: Part 2
The Bloodline with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (2021)

Project: Podcast Interview for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Objective: Part One of a special two-part series in which Dr. Christabel Cheung, a two-time Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor, talks about her longtime journey with lymphoma including her struggles within initial diagnosis and relapse as part of a small percentage that didn’t respond to first-line treatment.

Results: Interview was published in a long-form podcast: Hodgkin’s lymphoma: Struggles of a young adult with cancer with Dr. Christabel Cheung: Part 1
The Bloodline with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (2021)

Project: Antiracist cancer survivorship advice for BIPOC patients

Objective: Authentically discuss the user experiences of BIPOC AYA cancer patients in their interactions with oncology health care providers, researchers, and non-profit advocacy efforts to build community among BIPOC AYA cancer patients and anyone interested in promoting their well-being.

Results: Written discussion was published in a magazine targeted at young-adult audiences: Practically speaking: Antiracist survivorship advice from and for young BIPOC patients
Elephants and Tea Magazine (2020)

Project: Cancer survivorship among young Black women

Objective: Case example of two young Black women whose longtime friendship began before their respective cancer struggles and have left strong imprints on what we know about cancer survivorship for young racially minoritized patients.

Results: Written discussion was published on the Jade Gangster blog and reprinted in a magazine targeted at young-adult audiences: Black girl cancer magic
Elephants and Tea Magazine (2020)

Project: Embodied research methods for topic selection by BIPOC AYA patient scientists

Objective: Case example of two BIPOC adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients who demonstrate the empiricism of embodied knowledge with a rigorous and transparent method for research topic selection and prioritization.

Results: Manuscript published in a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal: Centering Black Swans: Embodied Research in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Oppositional Conversations (2021)

LAB MEMBERS

Christabel K. Cheung, PhD, MSW
Principal Investigator
Christabel K. Cheung, PhD, MSW

Principal Investigator

Christabel K. Cheung, PhD, MSW is a social and behavioral scientist, health equity strategist, and UX researcher with over 25 years of professional experience.

Full Bio
Nishtha Gupta, BA
Nishtha Gupta, BA

Nishtha is a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus. She received her BA in Sociology and Family Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. Nishtha works as a residential coordinator at a domestic violence shelter and hopes to earn a health concentrate in clinical social work. She works with Dr. Cheung and her team to implement quantitative and qualitative research in adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology. In her free time Nishtha enjoys reading, watching tv shows, and playing with dogs!
Haelim Lee, MSW
Haelim Lee, MSW

Haelim is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She received her BA in Social Welfare from Chung-Ang University and her MSW from Yonsei University. Haelim worked as a post-adoption services social worker in a child welfare organization following her graduate studies. Haelim’s current research interests are focused on racial and ethnic health disparities, interaction of child welfare and health disparities in minoritized children, and adverse childhood experiences. She is currently working with Dr. Cheung to conduct research on the impact of financial hardship and disparities among BIPOC and LGBTQ+ cancer patients including studies centered on best practices for BIPOC patient engagement in the conduct of research.
Adishree Nayak, MPH
Adishree Nayak, MPH

Adishree is a dual-degree Master of Social Work (MSW)/Master of Public Health (MPH) student at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She received her BS in Community Health from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2021 and her MPH with a focus in Women’s and Reproductive Health in 2024. Adishree has experience working in global sexual and reproductive health (SRH) research and policy, digital organizing, and case management. Her research interests are focused on the intersection of mental and physical health, particularly reproductive health, and disparities in care among marginalized communities. She is currently working with Dr. Cheung as a graduate research assistant supporting projects on adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology.
Nelson Peralta, MA
Nelson Peralta, MA

Nelson is a Doctoral student in Philosophy at Penn State University. Prior to pursuing his PhD, Nelson taught undergraduate courses at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles where he previously earned his master of arts (MA) in Philosophy. His areas of interest include Latin American and Latinx Philosophy, Phenomenology, and Epistemology. Nelson is also a three-time acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivor. Having his second relapse during the pandemic in 2020, he fortunately received a bone marrow transplant (BMT) the following year and has gratefully been in remission since. His cancer experiences have motivated him to find a way to give back, he and has taken the initiative to become an advocate in various roles within adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer research. When he’s not reading a philosophy book, he loves to listen to pop music, frequent a hipster coffee shop, or go out dancing if the reggaeton music is playing.
Valentina Roman, LMSW
Valentina Roman, LMSW

Valentina graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2022. Valentina aspires to earn her PhD in Social Work and conduct research on how stigma and conceptualizations of mental illness impact treatment experiences. Currently, Valentina works as a dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) therapist at the DBT Center of Greater Washington. She has contributed to Dr. Cheung’s studies focused on best practices for antiracist patient engagement; disparities among sexual/gender minority patients in oncology, and financial navigation. In her free time, Valentina enjoys writing music, visiting art museums, and trying new recipes.
Bria Thomas, MBS
Bria Thomas, MBS

Bria is from Baltimore, Maryland. She currently attends Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine as a medical student. Bria joined forces with Dr. Cheung’s Research Lab in 2020 when she matched with Dr. Cheung as her mentee in the National Cancer Institute’s Nathan Schnaper Internship Program. She is an alumn of Loyola University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Bio-Psychology degree and an alum of Geisinger Common Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine with a Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) degree.

Bria joined forces with Dr. Cheung’s Research Lab when she matched with Dr. Cheung as her mentee in the National Cancer Institute’s Nathan Schnaper Internship Program in 2020. She has continued at Cheung Research Lab ever since. As a senior lab member, Bria has been instrumental on numerous projects and resulting publications including, “Capturing the financial hardship of cancer in military adolescent and young adult patients: A conceptual framework,” “A thin line between helpful and harmful Internet usage: Embodied research on Internet experiences among adolescent and young adult cancer patients”, and “A call to action: Antiracist patient engagement in adolescent and young adult oncology research and advocacy.”

In her free time, she enjoys painting, volunteering within the Baltimore community, and cooking. Bria also loves to volunteer! Currently, she is a crisis counselor with The Crisis Text Line and previously she co-led the McChicken Project – an organization that supported disenfranchised niches in Baltimore city by providing food, clothing, and sanitary supplies.

ALUMNI