Jennifer Gierisch, PhD

Jennifer Gierisch, PhD, is a behavioral scientist with expertise in intervention science, evidence synthesis, stakeholder engagement and health services research. Her research aims to:

1) develop and test behavioral strategies that are theory-informed, patient-centered, and innovative;

2) facilitate informed decision making; and

3) promote sustained health behavior change.

Her primary methodologies for exploring this research are clinical trials and evidence synthesis. She has designed and tested innovative behavioral interventions to enhance sustained change of health behaviors in the areas of cancer screening, smoking cessation, weight management and physical activity.

Dr. Gierisch is core faculty and associate director of the Durham Veterans Affairs Evidence-based Synthesis Program and an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center.

Research Activities

Cancer prevention and control (specifically breast and lung cancer)
Diabetes prevention and management
Community-based participatory research
Health behavior change
Health communication
Health services and systems
Implementation science
Medical decision making
Obesity prevention and control
Tobacco prevention and control
Women's health

Key Publications

Benefits and Harms of Breast Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review. Myers ER, Moorman P, Gierisch JM (2016). Journal of the American Medical Association, 315(13), 1406.

Staff/Administrative Duties

For the Department of Health Behavior:
     Advise students on special projects
     Collaborate on research with faculty
     Guest lecture in health behavior courses
     Serve as practicum preceptor
     Serve as dissertation committee member

Education

PhD, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2008

MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2000