

Jennifer Gierisch, PhD
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