Michelle L. Wright, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
- Center for Cancer Research
- National Cancer Institute
- Building 82, Room 243
- Bethesda, MD 20814
- 240-760-7102
- michelle.wright@nih.gov
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Dr. Wright’s research is centered on the intersection of translational omics and health outcomes. In the Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) Patient Outcomes Research Program, she analyzes environmental, physiologic, and psychological factors to explore the biological basis of symptoms in people with brain and spinal cord tumors. She also examines the differences in health outcomes between patients with these tumors. By using approaches that also incorporate patient-reported outcomes, she aims to better understand differences in patients’ clinical trajectories. Her goal is to develop new approaches for improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
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Areas of Expertise
Michelle L. Wright, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Research
As a member of the Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) Patient Outcomes Research Program, Dr. Wright is interested in understanding how patients’ biology and environments influence their experience with illnesses and symptoms. She utilizes multidisciplinary approaches—including analysis of biologic factors and patient-reported outcomes—to better understand the natural history of symptoms and variations in symptom experience between patients. Her ultimate goal is to improve our ability to determine which patients will benefit most from supportive interventions to improve quality of life and mitigate symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) tumors.
In order to develop patient-centered interventions that reduce symptom burden, it is critically important to understand what contributes to bothersome symptoms, such as fatigue and cognitive impairment, in some patients but not others. Dr. Wright utilizes data from patient-reported outcomes, clinical data, and biological samples to answer these fundamental questions. Her specific research interests include:
- Differentiating symptoms of tumor progression and pseudo-progression
- Mitigating sleep disturbance and fatigue
- Understanding and mitigating sex differences in symptoms and disease progression
- Identifying patients at risk for severe radiation induced atrophy
- Reducing blood clots and pulmonary emboli
Because a large proportion of patients with rare CNS tumors may experience these issues, improving our understanding of physiology and early identification of symptoms is important for developing effective interventions. To understand and address these common issues, Dr. Wright is involved with the NOB’s clinical trials and Natural History Study. Her clinical research complements the NOB’s ongoing laboratory and clinical studies—and will help develop new patient-centered interventions to mitigate symptoms and complications related to CNS tumors.
Biography
Michelle L. Wright, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Dr. Wright obtained a Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences and chemistry from Western Michigan University and a Master of Science in nursing from DePaul University. She worked clinically as a registered nurse in neonatal intensive care units and emergency departments. She then became a nursing instructor and shortly thereafter pursued her Ph.D. at the University of North Dakota to better understand how our environment and genetics shape our experience with illness and symptoms. During her Ph.D., she studied DNA methylation patterns in blood related to clinical outcomes. She then completed her postdoctoral studies at Virginia Commonwealth University and Yale University, where she studied the influence of the microbiome, epigenetics, and environment on health disparities. Prior to joining the Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) as a clinical staff scientist, she served as nursing faculty at Emory University and The University of Texas at Austin.