Sophia Kustas Smith

Sophia Kustas Smith is an Associate Professor at the Duke School of Nursing and a member of the Duke Cancer Institute since 2013. Her work focuses on improving cancer survivorship and palliative care, particularly through technology-based behavioral health interventions. She earned her PhD and MSW at UNC-Chapel Hill and has led initiatives to integrate clinical cancer care with research.

• Current Appointments: Associate Professor (2020-Present), Duke School of Nursing
• Education: PhD and MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill; BS from SUNY-Albany (Cum Laude)

Research Interests include leveraging mHealth technologies for PTSD management in cancer survivors, addressing racial disparities in palliative care, and enhancing patient-centered communication. Her grants include leadership in the Nurse LEADS program (2024-2029) and co-investigator roles in NIH-funded studies on chronic pain and home-based transplants.

Recent Publications highlight trends in NCCN survivorship guidelines, PTSD screening tools, and mobile health interventions for blood cancer patients. In 2011, she was recognized with the ICARUS Award for multidisciplinary research. She teaches courses like NURSING 580 and NURSING 920, emphasizing science development and doctoral mentorship.