معرفی
Theresa Swift-Scanlan, Ph.D., RN, FAAN serves as the Director of the Biobehavioral Research Laboratory and holds the prestigious Ellen Fontaine Winston Distinguished Professorship at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing. She maintains active faculty status with significant research leadership roles.
Education:
- B.S. in Biology, Old Dominion University
- B.S.N. in Nursing, Johns Hopkins University
- M.S. in Marine Molecular Biology, University of Maryland
- Ph.D. in Nursing/Cancer Epigenetics, Johns Hopkins University
Her research program centers on the epigenetics of chronic illness, with specific focus on identifying molecular biomarkers for cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. She investigates how environmental influences interact with biological and behavioral factors through epigenetic mechanisms. Her work spans breast cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation outcomes.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong emphasis on biomarker discovery across multiple disease states. Her work consistently integrates epigenetic, metabolomic, and miRNA profiling approaches to identify predictors of disease progression and treatment outcomes. Key thematic areas include cancer disparities, neurodegenerative disease monitoring, and the biological underpinnings of frailty.
Scientific Recognition:
- Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)
Dr. Swift-Scanlan actively mentors doctoral students including Buxhoeveden and serves as PI or Co-PI on numerous substantial grants. Her current funded research portfolio includes NIH R01 projects exceeding $2.2 million focused on genetic/epigenetic regulation of COMT and racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes. She collaborates extensively across VCU's Massey Cancer Center and School of Medicine.
She directs the Biobehavioral Research Laboratory which utilizes advanced genomic and epigenomic technologies including Nanostring miRNA profiling and metabolomic analysis. Her team maintains active collaborations with the Langston Center for Innovation in Quality and Safety.
