Eugene Lengerich, VMD, MS, is an epidemiologist who develops, tests, and disseminates evidence-based strategies for the clinic and public health. He is the Associate Director of Health Disparities and Engagement at the Penn State Cancer Institute, and is a professor of Public Health Sciences, Family and Community Medicine, and Biobehavioral Health at Penn State. Dr. Lengerich is the Faculty Director of the Community Sciences and Health Outcomes (CSHO) Shared Resource, which is part of the Penn State Cancer Institute.
Joel Segel, PhD, leads the secondary data analysis component of the CSHO. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Administration with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Public Health Sciences and a member of the Penn State Cancer Institute. He is a health economist and health services researcher whose research focuses on finding value in health with a particular focus on cancer prevention and treatment, by studying how patient characteristics, provider characteristics, health information, and health policy interact in care decisions and outcomes.
Joanne Sullivan, RN, BSN: With experience in public health and community education, Joanne is involved in breast and cervical cancer prevention, patient navigation, and the “Walk by Faith” program to promote healthy eating and increased physical activity among adults in partnership with faith-based organizations. Contact information: Jsullivan2@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or 717-683-5450
Ariana Winder, MS, CCRP, is both personally and professionally passionate about cancer and cancer survivorship after assisting parents and aunts through the complex process. She leads the CSHO in recruitment, retention and study optimization best practices. She is a certified clinical research professional with experience managing a cancer tumor biobank and leading recruitment efforts into a system-wide genomic biobank involving return of results for individuals at an increased risk for certain hereditary cancers. Ariana is a Penn State Cancer Institute (PSCI) and Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) staff member who also serves as the ResearchMatch institutional liaison and as the Trial Innovation Network hub team point-of-contact.
Sol M. Rodríguez-Colón, MS: With over 10 years of experience in public health, Sol has conducted and managed numerous epidemiological studies, ranging from observational studies to multi-center trials. Her research has covered a variety of topics, including the epidemiology of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, air pollution and cardiovascular health, sleep related health problems, colorectal cancer screening among Latinos, and exercise coaching on reducing fragility fractures among seniors. Sol helps develop, manage, and support Penn State Cancer Institute studies using the services of the Community Sciences and Health Outcomes Shared Resource to foster culturally sensitive research that measurably reduces cancer burden among medically underserved and vulnerable populations.
John Bufalini, BS, is a medical student at Penn State College of Medicine with experience in community engagement and patient navigation. He is the founder and president of a 501 c(3) organization called Caring For Kids with Cancer (CFKC) and has previously worked on research focusing on the affects of music and its ability to heal those suffering from memory loss diseases.
Lorna LeMelle, MA, is a native of the Harrisburg community and has been involved in numerous community based participatory research projects throughout the Central Pennsylvania area. Currently, she is on staff with the Penn State Cancer Institute where she is actively engaged in educating residents of the community about the multitude of resources available for improving and increasing healthy lifestyles.