Melinda Irwin, PhD, MPH
Associate Dean of Research and Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases)Cards
Additional Titles
Deputy Director (Public Health), Yale Center for Clinical Investigation
Deputy Director, Yale Cancer Center
Contact Info
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
PO Box 208034, 60 College Street
New Haven, CT 06520-8034
United States
About
Titles
Associate Dean of Research and Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases)
Deputy Director (Public Health), Yale Center for Clinical Investigation; Deputy Director, Yale Cancer Center
Biography
Melinda L. Irwin, PhD, MPH is the Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Epidemiology and Associate Dean of Research at the Yale School of Public Health, Deputy Director of the Yale Cancer Center, and Deputy Director (Public Health) in the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation. Nationally, Dr. Irwin co-leads the SWOG Cancer Research Network Cancer Survivorship Committee. In 2018, Dr. Irwin completed the yearlong Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program. Dr. Irwin’s experience working across departments, schools, and with interdisciplinary groups of investigators has provided her with the skills to train and mentor effectively.
Dr. Irwin is a prominent leader in the field of cancer prevention and survivorship research. Her research over the past 20 years has focused on randomized trials of exercise and weight loss on biological markers, treatment side effects and quality of life in people with diagnosed with cancer. She has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, American Institute for Cancer Research, Komen for the Cure, and Livestrong Foundation. She is currently leading an NCI-funded clinical trial examining the impact of nutrition and exercise on improving chemotherapy completion rate, endocrine therapy adherence, biomarkers, body composition and quality of life in women beginning chemotherapy for breast cancer, and a also leading a newly funded NCI U01 trial of exercise and nutrition on treatment outcomes in women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Dr. Irwin is committed to training the next generation of scientists and is currently leading an NCI T32-funded Cancer Prevention and Control Training Program for pre- and post-doctoral fellows and an NCI R25-funded Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Training Program for early career investigators. At Yale, Dr. Irwin has advised, mentored and trained over 100 trainees. Her commitment to training the next generation of scientists is evident in the enthusiasm she brings to mentoring. Her vision is to maximize opportunities for early career investigators so they can become leaders in their respective fields and have a maximal impact on the health and well-being of patients and the population.
Appointments
Yale School of Public Health
Associate DeanDualChronic Disease Epidemiology
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Cancer Prevention and Control
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology
- Diabetes Research Center
- Irwin Lab (LEAN Study)
- Obesity Research Working Group
- Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer Research Education Program
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI)
- Yale School of Public Health
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- MPH
- University of Washington (2001)
- PhD
- University of South Carolina (1999)
- MS
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1994)
- BS
- College of William and Mary (1992)
Research
Overview
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
ORCID
0000-0001-7571-0304
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Maura Harrigan, MS, RDN, CSO
Fangyong Li, MS, MPH
Brenda Cartmel, PhD
Leah Ferrucci, PhD, MPH
Lingeng Lu, MD, PhD
Eric Winer, MD
Exercise
Breast Neoplasms
Obesity
Weight Loss
Ovarian Neoplasms
Publications
2024
Barriers to and facilitators of improving physical activity and nutrition behaviors during chemotherapy for breast cancer: a sequential mixed methods study
Puklin L, Irwin M, Sanft T, Ferrucci L, Harrigan M, McGowan C, Cartmel B, Zupa M, Winer E, Deyling M, Ligibel J, Basen-Engquist K, Spiegelman D, Sharifi M. Barriers to and facilitators of improving physical activity and nutrition behaviors during chemotherapy for breast cancer: a sequential mixed methods study. Supportive Care In Cancer 2024, 32: 590. PMID: 39141176, DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08789-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPhysical activityLifestyle interventionSelf-reported PA questionnaireSelf-reported diet qualityBreast cancerHealthy Eating Index-2015Stage I-III breast cancerBenefits of PASequential mixed methods studyI-III breast cancerChemotherapy-related symptomsMixed methods studyThematic content analysisBehavioral goalsSense of controlBody mass indexPA questionnaireSemi-structured interviewsMean body mass indexTranscribed verbatimIntervention armTailored educationDiet qualityNutritional behaviorMental benefitsEffects of exercise or metformin on myokine concentrations in patients with breast and colorectal cancer: A phase II multi‐centre factorial randomized trial
Brown J, Spielmann G, Yang S, Compton S, Jones L, Irwin M, Ligibel J, Meyerhardt J. Effects of exercise or metformin on myokine concentrations in patients with breast and colorectal cancer: A phase II multi‐centre factorial randomized trial. Journal Of Cachexia Sarcopenia And Muscle 2024, 15: 1520-1527. PMID: 38887915, PMCID: PMC11294014, DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13509.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsAerobic exerciseMyokine concentrationsStage I-III breastColorectal cancer survivorsEffects of exerciseColorectal cancerLinear mixed-effects regression modelsMixed-effects regression modelsCancer survivorsPhysical activityType I error rateExerciseMyokinesPilot studyRegression modelsCancer patientsRandomized trialsHypothesis-generating analysisMultiple comparisonsBreastSkeletal muscleInterleukin-15Clinical outcomesCancerPatientsTrends and predictors of Quality of Life in lung cancer survivors
Bade B, Zhao J, Li F, Tanoue L, Lazowski H, Alfano C, Silvestri G, Irwin M. Trends and predictors of Quality of Life in lung cancer survivors. Lung Cancer 2024, 191: 107793. PMID: 38640687, DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107793.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsFunctional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - LungNon-small cell lung cancerHR-QOL scoresLung cancer survivorsHR-QOLAdvanced stage non-small cell lung cancerEarly-stage non-small cell lung cancerStage non-small cell lung cancerQuality of lifeCancer survivorsPhysical activityCell lung cancerEarly-stage diseasePredictors of quality of lifeHealth-related quality of lifeFollow-upHealth-related qualityHealthy weight maintenancePerformance statusAdvanced-stage non-small cell lung cancerLung cancerClinical significanceAssociated with older ageDiagnosed NSCLCTreatment-related side effectsImproving lifestyle behaviors during chemotherapy for breast cancer: The Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition Early After Diagnosis (LEANer) Trial
Puklin L, Ferrucci L, Harrigan M, McGowan C, Zupa M, Cartmel B, Li F, Ligibel J, Spiegelman D, Sharifi M, Sanft T, Irwin M. Improving lifestyle behaviors during chemotherapy for breast cancer: The Lifestyle, Exercise, and Nutrition Early After Diagnosis (LEANer) Trial. Cancer 2024, 130: 2440-2452. PMID: 38470431, PMCID: PMC11214600, DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35280.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsPhysical activityDiet qualityHEI-2015Strength trainingLifestyle behaviorsHealthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015Breast cancerAssociated with baseline fatigueImprove physical activityImprove lifestyle behaviorsHigher HEI-2015Associated with higher oddsExercise interventionUsual careIntervention armIntervention groupBaseline fatigueLifestyle interventionYearlong interventionLower fatigueHigher oddsSecondary analysisLogistic regressionNewly diagnosed patientsStudy armsAssociation between diet quality and ovarian cancer risk and survival
Cao A, Esserman D, Cartmel B, Irwin M, Ferrucci L. Association between diet quality and ovarian cancer risk and survival. Journal Of The National Cancer Institute 2024, 116: 1095-1104. PMID: 38400738, PMCID: PMC11223874, DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djae040.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsOvarian cancer riskAll-cause mortalityAssociated with lower all-cause mortalityDiet qualityCancer riskOvarian cancer diagnosisAssociated with ovarian cancer riskPre-diagnosisProspective NIH-AARP DietHealthy Eating Index-2015Cancer diagnosisNIH-AARP DietStop Hypertension scoreCancer registry dataEpithelial ovarian cancerMediterranean diet scoreFood frequency questionnaireCox proportional hazards regressionOvarian cancerProportional hazards regressionHEI-2015Health StudyHypertension scoreDiet scoreFrequency questionnaireUnited States Long-Term Trends in Adult BMI (1959–2018): Unraveling the Roots of the Obesity Epidemic
Banas J, Cook A, Raygoza-Cortez K, Davila D, Irwin M, Ferrucci L, Humphries D. United States Long-Term Trends in Adult BMI (1959–2018): Unraveling the Roots of the Obesity Epidemic. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2024, 21: 73. PMID: 38248537, PMCID: PMC10815706, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010073.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsNational Health Examination SurveyExamination SurveyObesity epidemicBody mass index (BMI) trendsOngoing obesity epidemicCritical public health challengeNutrition Examination SurveyHealth Examination SurveyRates of obesityPublic health challengePopulation-level interventionsBMI growth rateEffective population-level interventionsRace/ethnicityAverage BMIAdult BMINational HealthBMI trendsHigh school educationWhite adultsAge groupsBlack adultsHealth challengesBMIRacial disparities
2023
Exploring anxiety as an influencing factor of the impact of exercise and mind-body prehabilitation on cognitive functioning among women undergoing breast cancer surgery
Knoerl R, Sannes T, Giobbie-Hurder A, Frank E, McTiernan A, Winer E, Irwin M, Ligibel J. Exploring anxiety as an influencing factor of the impact of exercise and mind-body prehabilitation on cognitive functioning among women undergoing breast cancer surgery. Journal Of Psychosocial Oncology 2023, 42: 448-456. PMID: 38044630, DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2023.2282021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCognitive functioningWorse cognitive functioningBreast cancer surgerySelf-report measuresTime of diagnosisAssessment of anxietyBreast cancerCancer surgeryCognitive functionGreater anxietyAnxiety managementPrehabilitation interventionsAnxietyLinear modelingFunctioningSignificant anxietyAcademic cancer centerImpact of exerciseImpact of baselinePrevalence of anxietyParticipantsOne-unit decreaseStudy enrollmentLinear regression modelingCancer CenterPost-diagnosis weight trajectories and mortality among women with breast cancer
Puklin L, Li F, Cartmel B, Zhao J, Sanft T, Lisevick A, Winer E, Lustberg M, Spiegelman D, Sharifi M, Irwin M, Ferrucci L. Post-diagnosis weight trajectories and mortality among women with breast cancer. Npj Breast Cancer 2023, 9: 98. PMID: 38042922, PMCID: PMC10693588, DOI: 10.1038/s41523-023-00603-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsBody mass indexBreast cancer diagnosisWeight changeCause mortalityClinical characteristicsWeight gainWeight lossBreast cancerWeight trajectoriesPost-diagnosis weight changeBreast cancer-specific mortalityCox proportional hazards modelModern treatment eraCancer-specific mortalityCancer diagnosisModerate weight lossModerate weight gainProportional hazards modelAdverse health outcomesElectronic health recordsTreatment eraBaseline characteristicsTumor RegistryMass indexWeight managementA qualitative study on the role of financial toxicity on adoption of healthy lifestyle behavior after breast cancer among Black and Latina women.
Nsubayi C, Pichardo M, Ginader A, Peña K, Nguyen T, Irwin M, Sanft T, Fayanju O, Molina Y. A qualitative study on the role of financial toxicity on adoption of healthy lifestyle behavior after breast cancer among Black and Latina women. JCO Oncology Practice 2023, 19: 273-273. DOI: 10.1200/op.2023.19.11_suppl.273.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLocal organizationsBreast cancer survivorsQualitative interview dataLatina breast cancer survivorsLatina womenLifestyle behavior changeHousing insecuritySocial workersCancer survivorsInstitutional levelLevel of accessInterview dataIdentified strategiesFinancial toxicityInterpersonal levelCommunity levelFinancial resourcesQualitative studyBreast cancerInductive approachContent analysisTypes of resourcesFinancial hardshipThematic categoriesBehavior changeRandomized Trial Evaluating a Self-Guided Lifestyle Intervention Delivered via Evidence-Based Materials versus a Waitlist Group on Changes in Body Weight, Diet Quality, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors
Puklin L, Harrigan M, Cartmel B, Sanft T, Gottlieb L, Zhou B, Ferrucci L, Li F, Spiegelman D, Sharifi M, Irwin M. Randomized Trial Evaluating a Self-Guided Lifestyle Intervention Delivered via Evidence-Based Materials versus a Waitlist Group on Changes in Body Weight, Diet Quality, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors. Cancers 2023, 15: 4719. PMID: 37835412, PMCID: PMC10571774, DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194719.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsBreast cancer survivorsCancer survivorsLifestyle interventionPhysical activityQuality of lifeBody weightWaitlist groupDiet qualitySelf-reported body weightWeight lossFavorable weight changeHealthy weight lossBody mass indexHealthy body weightGreater weight lossEvidence-based materialsDiverse healthcare settingsIntervention armMass indexClinical practicePositive behavior changeHealthcare settingsSurvivorsWeight changeIntervention
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Trial of Exercise and Lifestyle (TEAL) Intervention
HIC ID2000032524RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2026Recruiting Participants
Links & Media
News
- August 29, 2024
YCC Publications 2024
- July 19, 2024Source: Medical News Today
Physical exercise may help prevent nerve damage during chemotherapy, study finds
- May 23, 2024
2024 Top Research Awards Announced
- April 15, 2024
The Best Care Through Partnership
Get In Touch
Contacts
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
PO Box 208034, 60 College Street
New Haven, CT 06520-8034
United States
Locations
60 College Street
Academic Office
Ste 428
New Haven, CT 06510
Events
Everyone Sandra Cassanelli - Eric Winer, MD - Lajos Pusztai, MD, DPhil - Mariya Rozenblit, MD - Sarah Elizabeth Schellhorn, MD - Adriana Matutino Kahn, MD - Melinda Irwin, PhD, MPH - Maura Harrigan, MS, RDN, CSO - Nancy Borstelmann - Sarah Cody - Tara Sanft, MD - Maryam Lustberg, MD, MPH