Margaret M. Byrne, PhD

Principle Investigator

My main research interests focus on how to help individuals make the best decision for themselves in situations where there is no one right answer. Specific areas that I’ve done the most work in include participation in cancer clinical trials and lung cancer screening. In addition, I collaborate extensively on cost assessment/cost effectiveness research that crosses many different health care areas. Outside of work, my favorite activities include skydiving; being outside, especially on the water; reading work and non-work-related books; and spending time with my friends of both the human and feathered variety.

Maija Reblin, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Larner School of Medicine, University of Vermont

Co-Program Leader, Cancer Population Science, University of Vermont Cancer Center

https://vermontconversationlab.com

Maija Reblin, PhD is a social and health psychologist who studies the social context of cancer family caregivers. This includes a focus on interpersonal communication between caregivers, patients, and their health care providers, as well as identifying the importance of relationships and social support in the cancer caregiving experience. Dr. Reblin has received extramural funding from the American Cancer Society and the National Institutes of Health to support her research.

Sophia Diaz- Carraway

Research Coordinator

I received my BA in Anthropology from the University of South Florida.  I work with Dr. Byrne and Dr. Reblin's team on the CARING: Caregiver Assistance through Resources, Information, and Navigation Guide in Neuro-Oncology study. I hope to make a positive impact on quality of life and health outcomes.”

Ryan H. Hagen, MS

Research Coordinator

I joined Moffitt Cancer Center in August 2022. I am a research coordinator focused on non-therapeutic research with the CARING and STRONG studies. I have a Bachelor of Arts in General Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science, and a Masters Degree in Pre-Professional Healthcare Sciences from the University of South Florida. My undergraduate thesis centered on the Comparative Economic analysis of LASIK eye Surgery between the United States and Colombia. I speak Spanish and am motivated by the opportunities to reduce the health outcomes disparities in the United States healthcare system. I am a very big proponent of exposure to other cultures as a way to bring new prospective and understanding. I will always advocate for travel, even if just in your backyard!

Deanna Witte, MSMS

Research Coordinator

I joined Moffitt Cancer Center in August 2022 as a Research Coordinator with CARING: Caregiver Assistance through Resources, Information, and Navigation Guide in Neuro-Oncology study and Total Cancer Care study in the neuro-oncology clinic. I earned my Bachelor of Music in 2016 at Wheaton College and my Master of Science in Medical Sciences at the University of South Florida in 2019. I have an extensive clinical background and have worked in urgent care, emergency care, and primary care. As a Research Coordinator I assist in study recruitment, specimen collection, data management, and protocol procedures coordination.

Omarianna Rountree

Caregiver Navigator

I joined Moffitt in November of 2022 as a Caregiver Navigator in the CaRe Lab. I graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. Some of my interests include psychology, nutrition, mental health awareness and closing the gaps in healthcare. Outside of work I love to practice yoga, meditate, travel and spend time with loved ones.

Kerie Walters, MSW

Caregiver Navigator

I joined Moffitt Cancer Center in 2019. I earned a Master of Social Work degree from Capella University and a Bachelors of Sociology from the University of South Florida in 2012. My role as a Caregiver Navigator in the CARING project allows for ample opportunities to work in collaboration with caregivers. In this role, I help caregivers to identify personal strengths  while connecting them to informal and formal social support.  For self-care I love traveling, reading, exercising, and spending quality time with my children.

Hannah Alex

I joined the CARING team during the summer of 2022. I am a student intern working with Dr. Byrne and Dr. Reblin. My focus involves analyzing data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope to study the variety of different psychological, physical, and financial impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on caregivers. Some of my other research interests include examining disparities in health outcomes within the healthcare system. I am also a student at USF, and I'm majoring in biomedical sciences. Outside of school and work, I love travelling, baking, and going on long bike rides!