Staff
Arreum Kim, MBS, MS
Research Program Director
Email: kima3@cinj.rutgers.edu
Arreum Kim has over 10 years of clinical research and patient experience ranging from working on phase II-IV clinical trials to managing investigator-initiated research projects for cancer research, including the creation of biorepositories for retrospective and prospective longitudinal research studies. Arreum’s current role is to oversee the implementation and dissemination of ongoing research and obtain preliminary data for grant submissions, and data management and analysis. She is also responsible for developing strategies to maintain efficiency, establish standard operating procedures, protocols, and techniques for implementing research projects safely, effectively, and efficiently. Her main research interest is to learn more about factors that perpetuate cancer health disparities while striving to achieve cancer health equity through equitable access to appropriate medical care for the underserved population.
Emily HeidtProgram Coordinator
Phone: (732) 235-8692
Email: emily.heidt@rutgers.edu
Emily Heidt is a Program Coordinator who joined the Cancer Health Equity team in 2018. Emily received her undergraduate degree in Public Health, with a Certificate in Health Disparities, in May of 2020 from the Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy; and is currently pursuing a master’s degree concentrated in Epidemiology. Emily’s research interests include health communication and education, genetics, and the structural and social determinants of health.
Current projects:
- Genetic Risk Assessment for Cancer Education and Empowerment (GRACE)
- Improving Prediction of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea: Integrating Genes, Behavior, and the Microbiome (CINV)
- Choices About genetic Testing And Learning Your risk with Smart Technology (CATALYST)
Rebecca AyalaResearch Assistant
Phone: 732-258-6982
Email: raa191@cinj.rutgers.edu
Rebecca Ayala is a Research Assistant in the Cancer Health Equity department at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health Administration and a minor in Human Resource Management from Rutgers University. Rebecca is particularly interested in the structural and social determinants of health, health equity, social marketing, and health communications. As a research assistant working directly with the PINPOINT Study, she is grateful for the opportunity to empower patients and promote quality care in underserved populations to prevent health disparities in cancer treatment. Rebecca plans to further her education in social marketing and public health to promote awareness, health education and literacy, and patient engagement in intervention related programs by means of health marketing and communication.
Current projects:
- Reducing Racial Disparities in Cancer Care with Promoting Informed approaches in Precision Oncology and ImmuNoTherapy (PINPOINT)
Briana D. BelcherResearch Assistant
Phone: 732-258-6985
Email: bdb110@cinj.rutgers.edu
Briana is a Research Assistant in the Cancer Health Equity department at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. As a research assistant for multiple studies, she recruits, consents patients and completes intervention related study materials. Her previous research experience includes breast cancer data collection with Dr. Elisa Bandera. Prior to this, she completed undergraduate studies in Public Health (Biology Specialty) and Spanish. She is currently completing her Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree with a concentration in epidemiology at the Rutgers University’s School of Public Health. Briana was motivated to participate in Dr. Kinney’s research because it promotes cancer prevention while focusing on cancer health disparities with racial and ethnic minorities. She plans to continue to combat health disparities through patient and community program development and pursuing further education and training to address cancer screening barriers in racial and ethnic minorities.
Current projects:
- Health Empowerment and Recovery Outcomes (HERO)
- Improving Prediction of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea: Integrating Genes, Behavior, and the Microbiome (CINV)
- Reducing Racial Disparities in Cancer Care with Promoting Informed approaches in Precision Oncology and ImmuNoTherapy (PINPOINT)
Sarah A. ForanResearch Assistant
Phone: 732-258-6045
Email: sef123@cinj.rutgers.edu
Sarah Foran is a Research Assistant in the Cancer Health Equity Department at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. Prior to her joining the team, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a certificate in Global Health from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in May of 2022. She plans to continue her education at Rutgers and pursue an MPH in Epidemiology. Her experience as a research assistant has allowed her to focus on cancer prevention and control methods using epidemiological and clinical perspectives to address health disparities. Sarah’s current research interests include epidemiology, oncology, virology, health policy, implementation science, and health disparities.
Current projects:
- TELEhealth Shared decision-making COaching for lung cancer screening in Primary carE (TELESCOPE)
- Choices About genetic Testing And Learning Your risk with Smart Technology (CATALYST)
Shanzeh NasirResearch Assistant
Email: Sn648@cinj.rutgers.edu
Shanzeh Nasir is an undergraduate student at Rutgers University, double majoring in Cell Biology & Neuroscience and Public Health with a certificate in Public Health Management. As a Research Assistant, Shanzeh is excited to connect her interests in genetics and health communications through the CATALYST Project. Shanzeh’s previous research experiences include topics in racial health disparities in New Jersey, patient-provider cultural competence, and maternal and child health outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Anticipating her graduation in May 2023, Shanzeh is interested in working in the public health research field, focusing on health equity research, healthcare communications, and patient advocacy before pursuing a master’s degree in a related program.
Current projects:
- Choices About genetic Testing And Learning Your risk with Smart Technology (CATALYST)
Jinghua An, PhDPostdoctoral Fellow
Email: Ja1367@cinj.rutgers.edu
Dr. Jinghua An currently works as a postdoctoral fellow working with under the mentorship of Dr. Anita Kinney. She received a PhD in Nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2022. Dr. An’s publications demonstrate her diverse research interests: cancer screening and early detection, cancer supportive care, risk communication, as well as health disparities. Her doctoral dissertation project examined individual, social, cultural, and healthcare determinants of delayed presentation in Chinese women with symptomatic breast cancer; she also adapted a Chinese Breast Cancer Beliefs Scale for measuring beliefs contributing to delaying or forgoing breast cancer screening, diagnosis, or treatment. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kinney, Dr. An is expanding her expertise in intervention methodology, telehealth, grant development, and data analysis. Her current research involves testing the efficacy of a tailored telephone counseling and navigation intervention vs. a targeted print vs. usual care on cancer genetic risk assessment uptake at 12 months for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, as well as examining theoretical mediators of the intervention effects. She is also involved in research activities of a body-mind training intervention (i.e., Tai Chi Qigong) that aims to improve cancer symptoms and positively impact inflammation biology and gene expression in older male cancer survivors with fatigue. She is also working with the team on a Hybrid I cluster-randomized effectiveness trial that aims to improve lung cancer screening uptake in primary care settings.
Samuel Tundealao, BDS, MPHGraduate Research Assistant
Email: st1220@sph.rutgers.edu
Samuel Tundealao is a Rutgers Presidential Fellow and PhD Epidemiology student at the Rutgers School of Public Health under the tutelage of Dr. Anita Kinney. He obtained his dental degree (BDS) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in 2019 and his Master's in Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Epidemiology and a graduate certificate in Data Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Texas in 2023. Sam previously worked on various research projects aimed at tobacco control and cancer prevention among different vulnerable populations before joining the Rutgers Cancer Institute. Sam is currently a member of the Kinney Lab at Rutgers Cancer Institute, where he is contributing to research aimed at addressing genomic disparities among Black cancer patients and their families in the United States. His research interest focuses on addressing cancer disparities among marginalized populations such as ethnic minorities, immigrants, adolescents, young adults, and sexual and gender minority groups.
Current projects:
- Personalized Response on Oncology Promoting Equity for Black Lives (PROPEL)
Erin Speiser, PhD, MA, CCRPPrincipal Research Associate
Email: ees124@cinj.rutgers.edu
Dr. Erin Speiser is Principal Research Associate in the Cancer Health Equity department at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. Her current research focuses on expanding access to cancer care, particularly genetic testing, among underserved populations. Previous research includes identifying exposures to everyday toxins including endocrine disruptors (EDCs) and pesticides, especially in underserved communities, as well as an integrative therapy for long COVID among healthcare workers. Publications include a CDC-funded study on environmental factors associated with autism spectrum disorders in NJ, a pediatric school-based clinical trial to reduce pesticide exposures, a study measuring children's exposures to environmental toxins linked to cancer and endocrine disruption, a maternal fetal medicine study measuring bisphenol-A (BPA) and related chemical biomarkers in mothers and newborns, and a multi-site breast cancer prevention study. Dr. Speiser earned a PhD in Health Sciences at Seton Hall University, an MA in Environmental Education from New York University and a BA in English from the Honors Program at The College of New Jersey.
Current projects:
- Personalized Response on Oncology Promoting Equity for Black Lives (PROPEL)
Lindsay O'BoyleGraduate Assistant
Email: go14@dls.rutgers.edu
Lindsay O'Boyle is a Graduate Assistant in the Cancer Health Equity department at the Rutgers Cancer Institute. She graduated from the University of San Diego in 2020 with a B.A. in Behavioral Neuroscience and a minor in Marketing and is currently getting her Master's in Genetic Counseling at Rutgers University. Prior to joining the CINJ team, she worked as a genetic counseling assistant in both Cancer Genetics and Medical Genetics at UCSF. Lindsay is very excited to help bring cutting-edge AI technology to a clinical setting to enhance the genetic counseling experience for patients and providers.
Current projects:
- Choices About genetic Testing And Learning Your risk with Smart Technology (CATALYST)