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TRACE Early-Stage Investigators
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Advancing the Future of Telehealth in Cancer Care
The National Cancer Institute’s Telehealth Research Centers of Excellence (TRACE) Initiative is focused on building telehealth research capacity to improve cancer care. TRACE early-stage investigators are a vital part of this effort, selected for their contributions to innovative approaches and potential to drive advancements in telehealth for cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship. These grantees are developing cutting-edge research that spans remote patient monitoring, virtual follow-up oncology care, and improved access to telehealth services.
Meet Our New Early-Stage Investigators
In the following profiles, TRACE new investigators share what they’re working on in telehealth and cancer care. They explain how their research focuses on improving patient outcomes and discuss the potential benefits and future of telehealth in making cancer care more accessible and effective for everyone.
Early-Stage Investigators
Erin Bange, MD, MSCE
Assistant Attending Physician
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Making Telehealth Delivery of Cancer Care at Home Effective and Safe (MATCHES)
I am the principal investigator of the MATCHES trial, studying an enhanced telehealth program for breast and prostate cancer patients, incorporating at-home phlebotomy and medication injections. I also have ASCO Conquer Cancer® funding to develop a telehealth platform for clinical trial enrollment and retention, aiming to improve patient-centered care through home-clinic integration.
Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth connects patients and support systems remotely, reducing financial and logistical burdens, and supporting those with travel barriers.
Future of Telehealth and Cancer Care
Telehealth will expand to enhance patient-centered care, requiring research to ensure equity and integration with innovations, like remote monitoring.
Sahil D. Doshi, MD
Medical Oncology/Hematology Fellow
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Making Telehealth Delivery of Cancer Care at Home Effective and Safe (MATCHES)
I’ve led projects on telehealth in cancer care, conducting two patient satisfaction surveys from 2020 to 2023 and studies on telemedicine for informed consent and clinical trials. I’ve also studied pulse oximetry among discharged cancer patients. Currently, I’m piloting enhanced telemedicine for at-home immune therapy monitoring, aiming to improve care access and patient experience in cancer treatment.
Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth improves access to cancer care, including screening, diagnosis, and treatment, while enhancing patient experience and reducing costs.
Future of Telehealth and Cancer Care
Telehealth gained prominence during COVID-19 and remains highly valued by patients. Research is needed to identify ideal use cases.
Natasha Gupta, MD, MSc
Research Assistant Professor of Urology and Population Health
NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Manhattan Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Telehealth Research and Innovation for Veterans with Cancer (THRIVE)
I am exploring how telehealth can improve access and outcomes for food-insecure veterans with cancer.
Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth helps reduce differences in cancer care outcomes caused by circumstances such as food insecurity.
Future of Telehealth and Cancer Care
Telehealth can promote food security for cancer patients, reducing the risk of missed care.
Maia Jacobs, PhD
Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Preventive Medicine
Northwestern University
Scalable TELeheaLth Cancer CARe (STELLAR)
The STELLAR program tests telehealth intervention, addressing behavioral risk factors in cancer patients. I lead research to increase oncologist engagement using co-design methods to develop referral support and progress reports. We’re evaluating how these reports impact patient-provider communication and health outcomes. My focus includes improving access, engaging patients, and integrating artificial intelligence into telehealth.
Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth improves access to care, reduces travel, minimizes exposure, and provides timely support for symptoms, like pain and fatigue.
Future of Telehealth and Cancer Care
The future of telehealth in cancer care involves integration with treatment, addressing technology, workflow, and reimbursement challenges for a flexible, patient-centered approach.
Yasin Khadem Charvadeh, PhD
Research Scholar
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)
Making Telehealth Delivery of Cancer Care at Home Effective and Safe (MATCHES)
I research telehealth in cancer care, focusing on patient satisfaction and preferences. At MSKCC, I analyzed telemedicine feedback to identify barriers. I’m currently working on the National Institutes of Health-funded MATCHES program to enhance artificial intelligence/machine learning in telehealth for precision care. My goal is to improve telehealth’s impact on patient outcomes and efficiency.
Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth increases accessibility, reduces travel burdens, and minimizes disruptions to patients’ lives, improving the overall care experience.
Future of Telehealth and Cancer Care
Telehealth will become widely accepted as standard cancer care, integrated with traditional treatments, enabling better access and real-time monitoring.
Chenyu Lin, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Duke University School of Medicine
Durham VA Health Care System
Telehealth Research and Innovation for Veterans with Cancer (THRIVE)
I am studying the quality of care through the VA National TeleOncology service and veterans' views on teleoncology. I’m also evaluating a peer support network to address hesitancy and improve access to cellular therapies for veterans. Additionally, I’m researching how remote digital monitoring can make cancer therapies safer for patients.
Benefits of Telehealth
Telemedicine brings specialized care to rural areas with physician shortages, increasing convenience and helping patients overcome barriers to care.
Future of Telehealth and Cancer Care
Telehealth has expanded specialty care within the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and—with proper compensation models—can improve access in non-urban areas.
Alexandria Muench, PsyD
Research Associate of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Telehealth Research Center of Excellence
I am involved in two telehealth studies—one adapts a collaborative care model for lung cancer survivors’ mental health through telemedicine, and the other tests cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia to reduce fatigue among breast cancer survivors. My research focuses on using telehealth-based behavioral interventions for cancer-related insomnia and fatigue.
Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth makes cancer care more accessible, convenient, and patient centered by reducing in-person visits and improving communication and support.
Future of Telehealth and Cancer Care
The future of telehealth in cancer care is promising, offering improved monitoring, personalized treatment, and greater accessibility, with challenges that need to be addressed.
Neelima Navuluri, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Assistant Research Professor of Global Health
Duke University
Telehealth Research and Innovation for Veterans with Cancer (THRIVE)
My research explores using telehealth to deliver an electronic decision aid and referral tool to improve lung cancer screening and care, focusing on reducing differences in diagnosis and treatment.
Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth increases access to high-quality cancer detection and care, especially for those facing barriers to in-person visits.
Future of Telehealth and Cancer Care
I’m optimistic about telehealth’s potential to improve cancer care for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers alike.
Thomas Rodgers, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Durham VA Medical Center
Duke University
Telehealth Research and Innovation for Veterans with Cancer (THRIVE)
I’m involved in several telehealth research projects, including understanding telehealth use across racial and socioeconomic groups, applying telehealth for patients with hematologic malignancies, and codirecting the THRIVE scholars’ program to support early teleoncology investigators. My focus is on reducing care disparities and supporting the growing telehealth research community.
Benefits of Telehealth
Telehealth improves cancer care access and flexibility, enabling remote communication, treatment, and trial participation, overcoming distance and financial barriers.
Future of Telehealth and Cancer Care
Advancements in technology make telehealth promising for providing lifesaving care. Improved broadband and devices will enable personalized, safer, more effective care.
Nainwant (Naina) Singh, MD
Associate Chief of Staff, Research and Development
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System
Telehealth Research and Innovation for Veterans with Cancer (THRIVE)
I am leading a VA-funded study evaluating access barriers and facilitators for cancer care and palliative care in the US-affiliated Pacific Islands. Our goal is to co-design an intervention that improves access. Additionally, I’m collaborating with VA teams to assess the cost-effectiveness and quality of teleoncology compared to in-person care.
Benefits of Telehealth
Teleoncology helps veterans overcome geographic and financial barriers, enabling access to specialized care and experts not available locally.
Future of Telehealth and Cancer Care
Successful implementation of teleoncology requires careful consideration of unique challenges for special populations to ensure delivery of care.