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Indiana University

Diane Von Ah, PhD, RN

Diane Von Ah, PhD, RN
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Adult Health

Contact Information

(317) 278-2827
Nursing W431
dvonah@iupui.edu

Education

  • Post-doctoral Fellowship Behavioral Oncology, Indiana University
  • PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • MSN, University of Iowa
  • BSN, University of Iowa
     

 

External Funding

• (#0097.01) Walther Cancer Foundation, Inc., PI, (2011-2012) “Exploring the Impact of Cognitive Impairment on Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Survivors Using a Mixed Methods Approach.”

• Center for Enhancing Quality of Life in Chronic Illness, PI, (2010-2012), “Cognitive Dysfunction and its Impact on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors.”

• (#1 R21 NR012260-0121), National Institutes of Health, (PI: Fife) Co-Investigator, (2010-2012), “A Brief Family Intervention to Promote Adaptive Coping with the Stress of Adult Marrow Transplantation.”

• (#84-002-25), American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant, PI, (2009-2011), “Advance Cognitive Training for Breast Cancer Survivors.”

• (#64194), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Nurse Faculty Scholar PI, (2008-2012), “Memory Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors.”

• (#M01 RR00750) General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) Clinical Research Feasibility Funds Program & (UL RR025761) Indiana CTSI, Indiana Clinical Research Center, Indianapolis, IN, PI, (2005-2008), “Serotonin and Cognitive Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Survivors.”

• (#RE02) Oncology Nursing Society Foundation, PI, (2005-2006), “Genetics Fellowship to Enhance Oncology Symptom Management.”

• Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Birmingham Affiliate, PI (2002-2003), “Social Support: Impact on Outcomes in Breast Cancer.”
 

Biosketch

Dr. Diane Von Ah’s program of research focuses on advancing the state of the science in the area of cancer survivorship including symptom management and quality of life. Her research is unique in that it combines clinical, behavioral, and basic sciences to address cancer symptom management, focusing primarily on cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients. Her interdisciplinary program of research regarding the neuropsychological sequelae of cancer and cancer treatment includes four primary and inter-related foci including: (1) describing the incidence of cognitive impairment in cancer survivors; (2) examining the impact of cognitive impairment in everyday life and its effect on quality of life for cancer survivors, taking into consideration racial, ethnic, gender, and age-related issues; (3) exploring the behavioral, biological, and/or genetic processes related to cognitive impairment; and (4) developing translatable interventions to maintain or improve cognition for cancer survivors. Dr. Von Ah’s research has been externally funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, Oncology Nursing Society and internally by the Center for Enhancing Quality of Life (SON) and the CTSI. She has received several awards for her work including most recently Victoria Mock, Oncology Nursing Society New Investigator Award, Midwest Nursing Research Society Women’s Health Section, New Investigator Award, and the John and Mary Barron Quality of Life Investigator Award.

 

Selected Publications

Von Ah, D., Jansen, C., Allen, D., Schiavone, R., & Wulff (In Press, March, 2011) Putting evidence into practice: Evidence-based interventions for cancer and cancer-treatment related cognitive impairment, Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing.

Von Ah, D., Skaar, T, Unverzagt, F., Yu, M., Wu, J., Schneider, B., Storniolo, A. M., Moser, L., Ryker, K., Milata, J., & Carpenter, J.S. (In Press, April, 2010). Evaluating the role of serotonin on neuropsychological function after breast cancer using acute tryptophan depletion. Biological Research for Nurses, (first published on-line December 30, 2010, doi:10.1177/1099800410393273).

Carpenter, J.S, Yu, M., Wu, J., Von Ah, D, Milata, J., Otte, J. L., Johns, S., Schneider, B., Storniolo, A. M., Salomon, R., Desta, Z., Cao, J., Jin, Y., Phillips, S., & Skaar, T. (2009). “Evaluating the role of serotonin in hot flashes after breast cancer using acute tryptophan depletion.” Menopause 16(4), 644-652. PMID: 19265726, PMCID: PMC2714664

Von Ah, D. Russell, K. M., Storniolo, A. M., Carpenter, J. S. (2009).”Cognitive dysfunction and its relationship to quality of life in breast cancer survivors.” Oncology Nursing Forum. 36(3), 326-336. PMID: 19596650, PMCID: In Process

Von Ah, D., Harvison, K. W.., Monahan, P., Moser, L., Zhao, Q., Carpenter, J.S., Sledge, Jr., G.W., Champion, V., Unverzagt, F.W. (2009). “Cognitive function in breast cancer survivors compared to healthy age and education-matched women.” The Clinical Neuropsychologist. 23(4), 661-674 PMID: 19156566. PMCID: In Process

Von Ah, D. & Carpenter, J.S. (2008) “Identifying the role of serotonin in cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer survivors: Methodological challenges,” Midwest Nursing Research Society, Research Brief, Women’s Health Section.

Russell, K., Von Ah, D. Giesler, B., Storniolo, A.M., & Hasse, J. (2008) “Quality of life of African American breast cancer survivors: What do we know?” Cancer Nursing. 31(6), November/December, E36. PMID: 18987506.

Von Ah, D. & Kang, D.H. (2008). “Correlates of mood disturbance in women with breast cancer: Patterns over time.” Journal of Advanced Nursing, 61(6), 676-689. PMID: 18302608

Von Ah, D. Kang, D.H. & Carpenter, J. (2008). “Cancer-related fatigue in women with breast cancer prior to, during, and after adjuvant therapy.” Cancer Nursing, 31(2), 134-144. PMID: 18490890.

Von Ah, D., Kang, D.H., & Carpenter, J. (2007). “Stress, optimism, and social support: Impact on immune responses in breast cancer.” Research in Nursing and Health, 30(1), 72-83. PMID: 17243109 

For additional information, see  myprofile.cos.com/dvonah1