The Friends of the AACR Foundation Early Career Investigator Award is funded through proceeds from Party with a Purpose, a philanthropic gala in Philadelphia to support cancer research.

Research

Dr. Kuang-Yi Wen’s research focuses on developing innovative, technology-driven interventions to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship, with an emphasis on geriatric oncology. Her work integrates systems engineering, mobile health (mHealth), and electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) to enhance patient-centered care. She has led multiple NIH- and foundation-funded studies to improve cancer screening, symptom management, and medication adherence. In geriatric oncology, she is investigating comprehensive strategies to enhance collaboration of care between geriatric specialists and oncologists, with the goal of improving treatment decision-making and reducing toxicity. She also evaluates integrative lifestyle interventions, including time-restricted eating and Tai Chi, to mitigate cancer-related symptoms among older cancer patients. Through interdisciplinary collaborations and health systems research, Dr. Wen advances scalable strategies to improve cancer outcomes, particularly among underserved and aging populations.

Biography

Dr. Wen, born in Taiwan, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Population Science, Department of Medical Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University and the Co-Lead of the Cancer Risk and Control Program at Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson Health. She earned her PhD in Health Systems Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed an NCI R25 postdoctoral fellowship in cancer prevention and control, with training in behavioral oncology and health communication at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Joining Thomas Jefferson University in 2019 as an Associate Professor, Dr. Wen’s research integrates systems engineering, digital health, and behavioral interventions to enhance cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship, with a particular focus on geriatric oncology and underserved populations.

Acknowledgement of Support

“I appreciate the 2024 Friends of the AACR Foundation Early Career Investigator Award, which will support my research in geriatric oncology. This funding enables me to explore integrative oncology approaches to reduce pain and neuropathy from systemic treatments in older cancer patients. This award strengthens my commitment to advancing evidence-based nonpharmaceutical interventions that enhance symptom management and overall well-being for older adults with cancer.”