2019–2024
NCI R01: Cancer Caregivers and Their Struggle Between Work and Family
Co-Investigator on a multi-million-dollar study evaluating caregiver stress-management approaches and the competing demands of caregiving and work.
Research & Academic Work
Psychological science with real-world reach.
Dr. Pensak’s research spans behavioral medicine, psychiatric oncology, palliative care, caregiver distress, anxiety, treatment adherence, and technology-enabled mental health support.
Ph.D.Clinical Psychology
NIHFunded training
Academic Profile
From rigorous study to useful intervention.
Across academic medical centers, Dr. Pensak has focused on the emotional realities that accompany serious illness, caregiving, and behavioral health—and on making support more accessible in the moments it is needed.
YaleBehavioral Medicine training
Harvard / MGHPsychiatric oncology fellowship
Peer reviewedBehavioral medicine publications
Training & Appointments
An academic path across leading medical centers.
Education & Fellowship
01
University of Rhode Island
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology
02
Yale School of Medicine
APA-accredited internship and specialty training in Behavioral Medicine
03
Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School
Advanced fellowship training in psychiatric oncology
04
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
NIH T32 fellowship in aging and palliative care
Selected Positions
01
Director of Psycho-Oncology, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Hope Tower
02
Assistant Professor of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center
03
Assistant Scientist, Hackensack University Medical Center / John Theurer Cancer Center
04
Assistant Professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Funded Work & Awards
Research designed around lived burden.
Selected support for studies addressing caregiver strain, serious illness, psychological distress, and practical intervention delivery.
2016–2018
National Palliative Care Research Center Career Development Award
Supported a randomized trial and career-development mentorship focused on a mobilized psychoeducation and skills intervention for caregivers of patients with advanced illness.
Selected Publications
Peer-reviewed work.
A curated selection of publications with links to the primary journal or PubMed record.
Research themes include psycho-oncology, caregiver support, anxiety, symptom management, adherence, digital intervention, and survivorship.
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Barriers and facilitators to taking CDK4/6 inhibitors among patients with metastatic breast cancer: A qualitative study
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
A pilot study of a mobilized intervention to help caregivers of oncology patients manage distress
Palliative & Supportive Care
Randomized Trial of a Smartphone Mobile App to Improve Symptoms and Adherence to Oral Therapy for Cancer
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Randomized Trial of a Tailored Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Mobile Application for Anxiety in Patients with Incurable Cancer
The Oncologist
Results from a Mixed-Methods Randomized Control Pilot Study of a Mobilized Intervention (Pep-Pal) to Help Caregivers of Patients with Advanced Illness Manage Distress
Palliative Medicine Reports
Pilot Study of a Multimodal Intervention to Enhance Sexual Function in HCT Survivors
Bone Marrow Transplantation
Development of a mobile application for adherence to oral chemotherapy and symptom management
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
A Systematic Review of Adherence to Oral Antineoplastic Therapies
The Oncologist
Academic & Professional Collaboration