Symptom science advances the understanding of how symptoms develop, are experienced, and change over time to improve health outcomes and quality of life. This area of research seeks to identify the biological, behavioral, psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to symptom occurrence, severity, and response to treatment. By integrating advances in precision health, genomics, data science, and patient-reported outcomes, symptom science supports the development of targeted, personalized approaches to symptom prevention and management.
Understanding symptoms across the continuum of health and illness is essential to improving diagnosis, guiding treatment decisions, and reducing the burden of acute and chronic conditions. Symptom science also emphasizes the patient experience, recognizing that effective symptom assessment and management are fundamental to delivering high-quality, person-centered care.
School of Nursing faculty members are advancing symptom science through interdisciplinary research that investigates the mechanisms underlying symptoms, develops innovative approaches to symptom assessment and intervention, and translates scientific discoveries into clinical practice. Their work aims to improve symptom management, enhance quality of life, and promote equitable health outcomes for individuals and populations across diverse settings.
Major Projects
Major projects within this research theme that are being led by School of Nursing faculty include:
- Investigation of the Role of MicroRNAs in Adipose Tissue from People Infected with HIV Who Develop Type 2 Diabetes (principal investigator: Elena Flowers)
- Characterization of the Symptom Experience of Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy (principal investigator: Carolyn Harris)
- ASTERISK: Alcohol and Substance use Treatment and Engagement Research on Intervention Studies among Key populations (principal investigator: Glenn-Milo Santos)
- BEATS: Binge drinking Ecological Antecedents with Transdermal alcohol monitoring Study (principal investigator Glenn-Milo Santos)