The CAncer REsearch (CARE) Laboratory
Lab Description:
The mission of the CARE Laboratory is to conduct psycho-oncology research addressing the emotional impact on cancer while ultimately improving the quality of life of cancer patients.
Research Priorities:
- To examine how psycho-social factors impact the cancer experience
- To connect cancer patients to resources that address psychological and social needs
- To provide psycho-social support services for cancer patients
Dr. Teletia Taylor:
Dr. Teletia Taylor received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the College of William and Mary. Dr. Taylor continued her studies at Howard University where she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Psychology. Dr. Taylor was the recipient of a Behavioral Medicine Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the University of Pittsburgh where she conducted a variety of studies investigating the effect of psychological stress on health among African-Americans. Dr. Taylor currently serves as an Associate Professor of Medicine at Howard University. Dr. Taylor’s primary area of research focuses on the impact of psychological stress on cancer incidence and survival. Dr. Taylor has received several research grants and served as a reviewer for a variety of scientific journals. Dr. Taylor’s University commitments include lecturing in the Howard University College of Medicine, serving as graduate research advisor in the Howard University Psychology Department and Howard University Public Health Program, co-facilitating the Howard University Cancer Center Support Group and directing the Howard University Cancer Center Distress Screening Program. (Teletia Taylor, Ph.D.)
Alea Farmer (Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student):
Alea Farmer’s research aims to gain a better understanding of how social determinants of health (food insecurity, transportation, and housing insecurity) along with one's cancer status may influence psychological distress. The information obtained from this research can contribute to the development of interventions that will help to alleviate both social needs and overall psychological distress of individuals both with and without cancer. Alea is a research assistant for the Howard University Cancer Center Distress Screening Program.
Jenna Warren (Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student):
Jenna Warren’s research aims to examine the effect of ethnic group membership and self-rated health on psychological distress among female cancer survivors. Jenna is the recipient of the Howard University Dean's Choice Fellowship (2021-present), the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Research Scholars (2022-present), and has served as a teaching assistant for several Howard University Department of Psychology undergraduate courses.
Selected Publications:
Sheppard V, Taylor T, Makambi K, Adams-Campbell LL. Physical activity reduces breast cancer risk in African-American women. Ethnicity and Disease 2011: 21:406-411.
Taylor TR, Huntley ED, Makambi K, Sween J, Adams-Campbell LL, Frederick W, Mellman TA. Understanding sleep disturbances in African-American breast cancer survivors: a pilot study. Psychooncology 2012: 21(8):896-902.
Taylor TR, Huntley ED, Sween J, Makambi K, Mellman TA, Williams CD, Carter-Nolan P, Frederick W. An exploratory analysis of fear of recurrence among African-American breast cancer survivors. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 2012:Sept;19(3):280-7.
Aguado Loi CX, Taylor TR, McMillan S, Gross-King M, Xu P, Shoss MK, Huegel V. Use and helpfulness of self-administered stress management therapy in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy in community clinical settings. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2012:30:57-80.
Sheppard VB, Llanos AA, Hurtado-de-Mendoza A, Taylor TR, Adams-Campbell LL. Correlates of depressive symptomatology in African-American breast cancer patients. J Cancer Surviv. 2013:7(3): 292-9.
Moten A, Jeffers K, Larbi D, Smith-White R, Taylor T, Wilson L, Adenuga B, Frederick W, Laiyemo A. Obesity and weight loss attempts among subjects with a personal history of cancer. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2014 Aug;14(3):e330-6.
Dash C, Makambi K, Wallington SF, Sheppard V, Taylor TR, Hicks JS, Adams-Campbell LL. An exercise trial targeting African-American women with metabolic syndrome and at high risk for breast cancer: Rationale, design, and methods. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2015:43:33-38.
Loi CX, Nesman TM, Xu P, Taylor TR, McMillan S, Krischer JP, Tyc VL,Gross-King M, Huegel V. A Self-Administered Stress Management Intervention for Hispanic Patients Undergoing Cancer Chemotherapy. J Immigr Minor Health. 2016 Nov 5.
Taylor TR, Barrow J, Makambi K, Sheppard V, Wallington SF, Martin C, Green D, Yeruva SLH, Horton S. A Restorative Yoga Intervention for African-American Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 2017.
Taylor TR, Dash C, Makambi K, Ma X, Sheppard V, Adams-Campbell LL. The effect of a randomized controlled physical activity trial on health-related quality of life in metabolically unhealthy African-American women: FIERCE STUDY Contemporary Clinical Trails 2018.
Dash C, Makambi K, Wallington SF, Sheppard V, Taylor TR, Hicks JS, Adams-Campbell LL. Effect of Exercise on Metabolic Syndrome in Black Women by Family History and Predicted Risk of Breast Cancer: The FIERCE Study: Cancer 2018.
Martin CM, Greene D, Harrell JP, Mwendwa DT, Williams CD, Horton S, Cradle M, Hudson BD, Taylor TR. The Impact of Social Constraints on Insomnia Among African-American Breast Cancer Survivors: The Mediating Role of Fear of Recurrence. Psychooncology. 2020;10.1002/pon.5435.
Positions Available:
Health Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow: (insert link)
Medical Social Worker: (insert link)
For more information about the CARE laboratory, contact Dr. Teletia Taylor:
t_r_taylor@howard.edu