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Susan K Peterson, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Member, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX
Adjunct Associate Professor, Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

2001 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, PHD, Behavioral Sciences
1986 The University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education
1984 The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, BS, Anthropology and Zoology

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, 2005-2008
Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2002-2008
Associate Member, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 2002-2006

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Research Manager, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1995-2002
Assistant Director, Patient Education Office, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1990-1995
Health Education Coordinator, Patient Education Office, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1987-1990
Research Scientist, Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, New Jersey Department of Health, Trenton, NJ, 1986-1987

Other Appointments/Responsibilities

Co-Chair, Behavioral Working Group, Colon Cancer Family Registries, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 2011-2012
Member, Advisory Committee, Genetics for Social and Behavioral Science Researchers, National Coalition on Healthcare Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG), Lutherville, MD, 2009-2012
Member, Behavioral Working Group, Colon Cancer Family Registries, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 2005-2012
Member, Colorectal Cancer Committee, American Cancer Society, Texas Division, Houston, TX, 2004
Member, PDQ Cancer Genetics Editorial Board, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 2003-present
Member, Psychosocial Working Group, PDQ Cancer Genetics Editorial Board, National Cancer institute, Bethesda, MD, 2003-present
Ad Hoc Participant, PDQ Cancer Genetics Editorial Board, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 2000
Member, Behavioral Science Working Group, Cancer Genetics Network, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 1998-present
Member, Breast Cancer Patient Education Publications Task Force, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 1993
Member, Cancer Patient Education Standards Task Force, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 1992-1993
Technical Resource Consultant, Advisory Council on Breast Cancer Treatment Alternatives, Texas Department of Health, Austin, TX, 1990-1991

Institutional Committee Activities

Reviewer, Cancer Survivorship Seed Money Grants, Office of Cancer Survivorship, 2012
Member, Odyssey Program Advisory Committee, 2011-present
Chair, Early Career Development Program Planning Committee, Women Faculty Programs, 2011-2012
Member, Mid-tenure track review committee for Lorraine Reitzel, Ph.D., 2011
Judge, Trainee Research Day 2011 Poster Competition and Trainee Choice Award, 2011
Judge, Cancer Survivorship Research - Trainee Research Day, 2011
Member, Psychosocial, Behavioral and Health Services Research Committee, 2010-present
Member, Institutional Research Grant Review Committee, 2010-present
Member, Comprehensive Cancer Control Colorectal Cancer Workgroup, 2010-present
Member, The Division of Cancer Prevention & Population Sciences Lectureship Committee, 2010-2011
Member, Duncan Family Institute Premalignant Genome Atlas Program, Steering Committee, 2009-present
Member, Duncan Family Institute e-Health Technology Program Advisory Board, 2009-present
Member, Non-tenure track progress review for Ludmila Cofta-Woerpel, Ph.D., 2009
Member, American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant Review Committee, 2008-present
Member, I*Care Advisory Committee, 2007-present
Associate Member, Institutional Review Board 4, 2007-2011
Chair, Psychosocial, Behavioral and Health Services Research Committee, 2007-2010
Member, External Review Committee, Pediatric Education Program, Section of Behavioral Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, 2006
Member, Clinical Cancer Genetics Steering Committee, 2005-present
Member, Human Pedigree Analysis Core Advisory Committee, 2004-present
Member, Psychosocial, Behavioral and Health Services Research Committee, 2003-2006
Behavioral Science Department Representative, Faculty Senate, 2002-2005

Honors and Awards

2012 Finalist, Robert M. Chamberlain Distinguished Mentor Award, MD Anderson Cancer Center
2011 Faculty Educator of the Month, November, MD Anderson Cancer Center
2011 Leading Mentor in Cancer Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, MD Anderson Cancer Center
2010 Mid-Career Women Faculty Professional Development Seminar, Association of American Medical Colleges
2010 National Institutes of Health Merit Award (Group Award), PDQ Cancer Genetics Editorial Board
2007 Social and Behavioral Research Branch Inaugural Forum, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health
2006 Heart of Leadership Faculty Development Program, MD Anderson Cancer Center
2004 Fellow, Cancer, Culture and Literacy Institute, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa FL
2004 Fellow, Summer Institute on the Design and Conduct of Randomized Clinical Trials Involving Behavioral Interventions, Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, National Institutes of Health
1998 Conference Scholarship, Behavioral Science and Cancer Genetics: New Roles, New Partners, American Psychological Association
1995 First Place, Patient Education Category, Health Sciences Communication Association Interactive Media Festival
1992 Award for Outstanding Leadership in Cancer Patient Education, National Cancer Institute
1989 First Place, Patient Education Category, American Society for Healthcare Education and Training Film Festival
1985 Internship, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
1984-1986 Student Traineeship, U.S. Public Health Service

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Ready K, Arun BK, Schmeler KM, Uyei A, Litton JK, Lu KH, Sun CC, Peterson SK. Communication of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test results to health care providers following genetic testing at a tertiary care center. Fam Cancer 10(4):673-9, 12/2011. e-Pub 6/17/2011. PMID: 21681553.
2. Seth SG, Goka T, Harbison A, Hollier L, Peterson S, Ramondetta L, Noblin SJ. Exploring the role of religiosity and spirituality in amniocentesis decision-making among Latinas. J Genet Couns. e-Pub 6/22/2011. PMID: 21695589.
3. Westin SN, Sun CC, Lu KH, Schmeler KM, Soliman PT, Lacour RA, Johnson KG, Daniels MS, Arun BK, Peterson SK, Bodurka DC. Satisfaction with ovarian carcinoma risk-reduction strategies among women at high risk for breast and ovarian carcinoma. Cancer 117(12):2659-67, 6/15/2011. e-Pub 12/29/2010. PMID: 21656744.
4. Patrick K, Wolszon L, Basen-Engquist KM, Demark-Wahnefried W, Prokhorov AV, Barrera S, Baru C, Farcas E, Krueger I, Palmer D, Raab F, Rios P, Ziftci C, Peterson S. CYberinfrastructure for COmpaRative Effectiveness Research (CYCORE): Improving data from cancer clinical trials. Transl Behav Med 1(1):83-88, 3/2011. PMCID: PMC3065645.
5. Huang M, Sun C, Boyd-Rogers S, Burzawa J, Milbourne A, Keeler E, Yzquierdo R, Lynch P, Peterson SK, Lu K. Prospective study of combined colon and endometrial cancer screening in women with lynch syndrome: a patient-centered approach. J Oncol Pract 7(1):43-7, 1/2011. PMCID: PMC3014510.
6. Palmquist AE, Koehly LM, Peterson SK, Shegog M, Vernon SW, Gritz ER. "The cancer bond": exploring the formation of cancer risk perception in families with Lynch syndrome. J Genet Couns 19(5):473-86, 10/2010. e-Pub 4/17/2010. PMCID: PMC2940987.
7. Ready KJ, Daniels MS, Sun CC, Peterson SK, Northrup H, Lu KH. Obstetrics/gynecology residents' knowledge of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and Lynch syndrome. J Cancer Educ 25(3):401-4, 9/2010. e-Pub 2/2010. PMID: 20186516.
8. Burton AM, Peterson SK, Marani SK, Vernon SW, Amos CI, Frazier ML, Lynch PM, Gritz ER. Health and lifestyle behaviors among persons at risk of Lynch syndrome. Cancer Causes Control 21(4):513-21, 4/2010. e-Pub 12/10/2009. PMID: 20012181.
9. Manne SL, Coups EJ, Winkel G, Markowitz A, Meropol NJ, Lesko SM, Jacobsen PB, Haller D, Jandorf L, Peterson SK. Identifying cluster subtypes for intentions to have colorectal cancer screening among non-compliant intermediate-risk siblings of individuals with colorectal cancer. Health Educ Res 24(5):897-908, 10/2009. e-Pub 8/4/2009. PMCID: PMC2738960.
10. Litton JK, Westin SN, Ready K, Sun CC, Peterson SK, Meric-Bernstam F, Gonzalez-Angulo AM, Bodurka DC, Lu KH, Hortobagyi GN, Arun BK. Perception of screening and risk-reduction surgeries in patients tested for a BRCA deleterious mutation. Cancer 115(8):1598-1604, 4/15/2009. PMCID: PMC2680417.
11. Manne SL, Coups EJ, Markowitz A, Meropol NJ, Haller D, Jacobsen PB, Jandorf L, Peterson SK, Lesko S, Pilipshen S, Winkel G. A randomized trial of generic versus tailored interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening among intermediate risk siblings. Ann Behav Med 37(2):207–217, 4/2009. e-Pub 5/2009. PMCID: PMC2707254.
12. Peterson SK, Pentz RD, Marani SK, Ward PA, Blanco AM, LaRue D, Vogel K, Solomon T, Strong LC. Psychological functioning in persons considering genetic counseling and testing for Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. Psychooncology 17(8):783-9, 8/2008. PMID: 18688785.
13. Kwon JS, Sun CC, Peterson SK, White KG, Daniels MS, Boyd-Rogers SG, Lu KH. Cost-effectiveness analysis of prevention strategies for gynecologic cancers in Lynch syndrome. Cancer 113(2):326-35, 7/15/2008. PMID: 18506736.
14. Lewis MJ, Peterson SK. Perceptions of genetic testing for cancer predisposition among Ashkenazi Jewish women. Community Genet 10(2):72-81, 2007. PMID: 17380056.
15. Uyei A, Peterson SK, Erlichman J, Broglio K, Yekell S, Schmeler K, Lu K, Meric-Bernstam F, Amos C, Strong L, Arun B. Association between clinical characteristics and risk-reduction interventions in women who underwent BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing: A single-institution study. Cancer 107(12):2745-51, 12/15/2006. PMID: 17109443.
16. Schmeler KM, Sun CC, Bodurka DC, White KG, Soliman PT, Uyei AR, Erlichman JL, Arun BK, Daniels MS, Rimes SA, Peterson SK, Slomovitz BM, Milam MR, Gershenson DM, Lu KH. Prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy compared with surveillance in women with BRCA mutations. Obstet Gynecol 108(3 Pt 1):515-20, 9/2006. PMID: 16946209.
17. Peterson SK, Pentz RD, Blanco AM, Ward PA, Watts BG, Marani SK, James LC, Strong LC. Evaluation of a decision aid for families considering p53 genetic counseling and testing. Genet Med 8(4):226-33, 4/2006. PMID: 16617243.
18. Peterson SK. The role of the family in genetic testing: Theoretical perspectives, current knowledge, and future directions. Health Educ Behav 32(5):627-39, 10/2005. PMID: 16148209.
19. Green MJ, Peterson SK, Baker MW, Friedman LC, Harper GR, Rubinstein WS, Peters JA, Mauger DT. Use of an educational computer program before genetic counseling for breast cancer susceptibility: Effects on duration and content of counseling sessions. Genet Med 7(4):221-9, 4/2005. PMCID: PMC1201432.
20. Gritz ER, Peterson SK, Vernon SW, Marani SK, Baile WF, Watts BG, Amos CI, Frazier ML, Lynch PM. Psychological impact of genetic testing for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. J Clin Oncol 23(9):1902-10, 3/20/2005. PMID: 15774782.
21. Pentz RD, Peterson SK, Watts B, Vernon SW, Lynch PM, Koehly LM, Gritz ER. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer family members' perceptions about the duty to inform and health professionals' role in disseminating genetic information. Genet Test 9(3):261-8, 2005. PMID: 16225406.
22. Green MJ, Peterson SK, Baker MW, Harper GR, Friedman LC, Rubinstein WS, Mauger DT. Effect of a computer-based decision aid on knowledge, perceptions, and intentions about genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 292(4):442-52, 7/28/2004. PMCID: PMC1237120.
23. Byrd TL, Peterson SK, Chavez R, Heckert A. Cervical cancer screening beliefs among young Hispanic women. Prev Med 38(2):192-7, 2/2004. PMID: 14715211.
24. Peterson SK, Watts BG, Koehly LM, Vernon SW, Baile WF, Kohlmann WK, Gritz ER. How families communicate about HNPCC genetic testing: Findings from a qualitative study. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 119C(1):78-86, 5/15/2003. PMID: 12704641.
25. Koehly LM, Peterson SK, Watts BG, Kempf KK, Vernon SW, Gritz ER. A social network analysis of communication about hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer genetic testing and family functioning. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 12(4):304-13, 4/2003. PMID: 12692104.

Book Chapters
1. Peterson SK. Psychological Impact of Genetic Counseling and Testing for Hereditary Colorectal Cancers. In: Hereditary Colorectal Cancer. Ed(s) Miguel Rodriguez-Bigas. Springer Publication: Maryland, 559-573, 2010.
2. Patenaude A, Peterson SK. Psychosocial Issues in Genetic Testing for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer. In: Psycho-oncology, 2nd. Ed(s) Holland JC, Breitbart WS, Jacobsen PB, Lederberg MS, Loscalzo MJ, McCorkle R. Oxford University Press, Inc. New York, 110-115, 2010.
3. Peterson, SK. Psychological Impact of Genetic Counseling and Testing for Hereditary Gynecologic Cancers. In: Hereditary Gynecological Cancer: Risk, Prevention and Management. Ed(s) KH Lu. Informa Healthcare USA: New York, 261-278, 2008.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: A Professional Oncology Education Program to Improve Providers’ Competence for Identifying and Managing Persons at Increased Colorectal Cancer Risk
Funding Source: Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/2012 - 8/31/2014
 
Title: Subcontract Radiant Creative Group: Using game mechanics to improve outcomes among stem cell transplant survivors
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 8/1/2012 - 7/31/2013
 
Title: Integrating technology and navigation to improve survivorship care in underserved populations
Funding Source: Cancer Survivorship Research Program
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 5/1/2012 - 4/30/2013
 
Title: FIT-FLU Screening, Programming in the Houston Metropolitan Area
Funding Source: Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: D Vining
Duration: 3/1/2012 - 2/28/2015
 
Title: A social network approach to improve genetic risk communication
Funding Source: Duncan Family Institute
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 2/1/2012 - 1/31/2014
 
Title: Returning Incidental Sequencing Results to Lung Cancer Families
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: S Pinney
Duration: 10/2/2011 - 9/30/2014
 
Title: Subcontract Prairie View A&M: Cancer Related Behavioral Risk Factors Among African America College Students
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Ford K
Duration: 4/1/2011 - 3/31/3013
 
Title: Integrating Genetic Testing for Lynch Syndrome in a Managed Care Setting
Funding Source: AHRQ
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: K. Goddard
Duration: 4/1/2011 - 3/31/2016
 
Title: A Decision Making Framework for Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: A. Brewster, P. Parker
Duration: 9/15/2010 - 8/31/2013
 
Title: Increasing Primary Care Providers' Competence for Identifying and Managing Persons at Increased Breast Cancer Risk: A Professional Oncology Prevention Program
Funding Source: Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: B. Arun
Duration: 9/1/2010 - 8/31/2012
 
Title: Adolescents' Long-Term Adaptation to Familial Cancer Risks
Funding Source: National Cancer Institute/NIH
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: K. Tercyak
Duration: 7/1/2010 - 11/30/2014
 
Title: MyFAP.org: A multimedia intervention for adolescents and young adults with FAP
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 6/1/2010 - 5/31/2014
 
Title: New Breast Cancer Radiotherapy Technology: Impact on Disparities in Access
Funding Source: American Cancer Society (ACS)
Role: Consultant
Principal Investigator: H. Gold
Duration: 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2012
 
Title: CYCORE: CYberinfrastructure for COmparative effectiveness REsearch
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/30/2009 - 8/31/2013
 
Title: Administrative Supplement to: Interactive CD-ROM on Cancer Genetics for Hispanics
Funding Source: National Human Genome Research Institute/NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/2009 - 8/31/2012
 
Title: Developing Providers' Communication and Counseling Skills in Cancer Genetics Using Virtual Reality
Funding Source: Institutional Research Grant UTMDACC
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 6/1/2009 - 6/30/2011
 
Title: Multimedia Intervention for Adolescents with FAP
Funding Source: National Cancer Institute/NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/2007 - 3/31/2009
 
Title: Interactive CD-ROM on Cancer Genetics for Hispanics
Funding Source: National Human Genome Research Institute/NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/15/2006 - 8/31/2012
 
Title: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening in First Degree Relatives of CRC Patients
Funding Source: American Cancer Society (ACS)
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/2004 - 6/30/2010
 
Title: Colorectal Cancer Screening in Relatives of CRC Patients (Awarded, but declined by PI so that overlapping grant, MRSGT-04-204-01-CPHPS (ACS) could be funded)
Funding Source: National Cancer Institute/NIH
Role: Principal Investigator

Last updated: 3/1/2013