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Headshot of Terri Armstrong

Terri S. Armstrong, Ph.D., ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP

  • Center for Cancer Research
  • National Cancer Institute
Neuro-Oncology Branch

RESEARCH SUMMARY

Dr. Armstrong is a trained clinician and scientist, who leads the Patient Outcomes Research Program at the Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB). She strives to understand the impact of both the disease and treatment on how a person with a central nervous system (CNS) tumor feels and functions. Driven by her experience as a care provider for patients with CNS tumors for over 30 years, she oversees a research program that primarily investigates this impact through natural history studies, use of patient reported outcomes in clinical research and therapeutic trials, and evaluation of interventions that reduce the symptom burden on brain tumor patients. Her translational program also includes developing preclinical models specifically focused on the importance of circadian dysregulation and alterations in sleep on symptomatic toxicities. Additionally, Dr. Armstrong’s Cancer Moonshot-funded NCI-CONNECT (Comprehensive Oncology Network Evaluating Rare CNS Tumors) program specifically seeks to study rare CNS tumors.

The goal of the Patient Outcomes Research Program is to better understand not only which therapeutic interventions designed in other parts of the NOB are beneficial to patient outcomes, but also how these therapies affect the patient themselves. There are several components within Dr. Armstrong’s research that delve deeper into the underlying biology, use technologies and methods that can enhance patients’ lives while undergoing treatment, and collect data to eventually gain a better understanding of CNS tumors and their development.

Explore the NOB's Research Programs >

Areas of Expertise

Symptom Science
Genomic Risk Modeling
Circadian Dysregulation

Information for Patients

Learn about our multidisciplinary approach to patient care, our clinical trials and the highly specialized care teams who lead them.

Publications

Selected Key Publications

Neurocognitive, symptom, and health-related quality of life outcomes of a randomized trial of bevacizumab for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (NRG/RTOG 0825).

Jeffrey S Wefel, Terri S Armstrong, Stephanie L Pugh, Mark R Gilbert, Merideth M Wendland, David G Brachman, Kevin S Roof, Paul D Brown, Ian R Crocker, H Ian Robins, Grant Hunter, Minhee Won, Minesh P Mehta
Neuro-Oncology. 23(7): 1125-1138, 2021. [ Journal Article ]

A phase II study of dose-dense temozolomide and lapatinib for recurrent low-grade and anaplastic supratentorial, infratentorial, and spinal cord ependymoma.

Mark R Gilbert, Ying Yuan, Jimin Wu, Tito Mendoza, Elizabeth Vera, Antonio Omuro, Frank Lieberman, H Ian Robins, Elizabeth R Gerstner, Jing Wu, Patrick Y Wen, Tom Mikkelsen, Kenneth Aldape, Terri S Armstrong
Neuro-Oncology. 23(3): 468-477, 2021. [ Journal Article ]

Association of circadian clock gene expression with glioma tumor microenvironment and patient survival.

Julianie De La Cruz Minyety, Dorela D Shuboni-Mulligan, Nicole Briceno, Demarrius Young Jr, Mark R Gilbert, Orieta Celiku, Terri S Armstrong
Cancers (Basel). 13(11): 2756, 2021. [ Journal Article ]

Glioma patient reported outcome assessment in clinical care and research: a RANO collaborative report.

Armstrong, T.S., Dirven, L., Arons, D., Bates, A., Chang, S.M., Coens, C., Espinasse, C., Gilbert, M.R., Jenkinson, D., Kluetz, P., Mendoza, T., Rubinstein, L., Sul, J., Weller, M., Wen, P.Y., Van den Bent, M.J., & Taphoorn, M.
Lancet Oncology. (2): 97-103, 2020. [ Journal Article ]

See brain cancer as more than just the sum of biology.

Armstrong, T.S.
Nature. 561 (7724): Epub ahead of print., 2018. [ Journal Article ]

Job Vacancies

There are no open positions at this time. Check back again later, or take a look at CCR's Careers page.

Team

Psychosocial Behavioral Specialist
Alvina Acquaye, M.S.
POSTBACCALAUREATE FELLOW (IRTA/CRTA)
Kendra Adegbesan
Special Volunteer
Julianie de la Cruz Minyety
Special Volunteer
Varna Jammula
Postdoctoral Fellow (iCure)
Amanda King, Ph.D.
Statistician (Contr.)
Tito Mendoza, Ph.D.
POSTBACCALAUREATE FELLOW (IRTA/CRTA)
Kayla Roche
Postbaccalaureate Fellow (IRTA/CRTA)
James Rogers
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW (ICURE)
Delia Sass, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow (CRTA)
Dorela Shuboni-Mulligan, Ph.D.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW (ICURE)
Macy Stockdill
Postbaccalaureate Fellow (IRTA/CRTA)
Michael Timmer
Mathematical Statistician
Elizabeth Vera, M.S.
Postbaccalaureate Fellow (IRTA/CRTA)
Alex Wollet
Special Volunteer
Demarrius Young

News

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Dr. Terri Armstrong performing neurological exam on patient

Natural History Study for Rare Brain and Spine Tumors Enrolls One Thousand Participants

November 17, 2022

In the six years since it began, the Natural History Study has amassed an enormous database of information that is helping to improve treatment and quality of life for patients with rare central nervous system cancers. Read more >

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Headshots of the NOB's three summer interns

Translational Research Immersion Program Interns Share Their Projects at the Annual Summer Poster Day

August 4, 2022

Summer interns investigated methods to improve immunotherapy, tailor survivorship programs, and target cancer cells using antibiotics. Read more >

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Student working at a computer

2021 Summer Internship Program

The NOB welcomed six summer interns for the summer 2021 cohort who were able to observe and engage with clinical and laboratory professionals that lead clinical, translational, and basic research. Read more >

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Scientist in lab working at computer

Neuro-Oncology Branch 2020 Year in Review

January 22, 2021

Together, our clinical team, research laboratories, and staff have made meaningful advancements to improve outcomes for patients and their families impacted by brain and spine tumors. Read more >

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Dr. Amanda King, Dr. Terri Armstrong, and Dr. Dorela Shuboni-Mulligan

Women Scientist Appreciation Month

March 1, 2020

In celebration of International Women and Girls in Science Day, we celebrated female scientists, physicians and mentors in the NOB that strive every day to make advances in ground-breaking research for brain and spine tumor patients. Read more >

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Dr. Terri Armstrong speaking at a podium

Improving Everyday Life for People with Rare Brain and Spine Cancers

Dr. Terri Armstrong shares why she chose to study rare brain and spine tumors and how her research is advancing patient quality of life. Read more >