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Nikesha J. Gilmore, Ph.D.

Contact Information

Faculty Appointments

Biography

Research

Dr. Nikesha Gilmore is a tenure track Assistant Professor in the department of Surgery, Division of Supportive Care in Cancer at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). She is a translational scientist with a strong background and training in molecular mechanisms, behavioral medicine, and health disparities/health equity. Dr. Gilmore’s research focuses on two main areas: 1) the development of interventions to mechanistically target frailty in older adults with cancer and to develop evidence-based solutions to foster health equity for older Black cancer survivors and 2) to improve the relationships between older Black patients with cancer and their caregivers with oncologists.

Dr. Gilmore has been awarded a NCI-funded K01, NIH-funded KL2, an NCI-funded supplement, and institution-funded pilot grants to 1) understand the underlying mechanisms of frailty in older adults with cancer, 2) investigate the safety and feasibility of an intervention aimed to treat frailty in older cancer survivors with an emphasis on older Black survivors, and 3) understand the relationship between medical mistrust and patient-centered communication in order to improve the relationships between older Black patients and their caregivers with oncologists within the Rochester community by alleviating medical mistrust through optimized patient-centered communication.

Dr. Gilmore is also passionate about finding ways to reduce barriers individuals from all marginalized backgrounds face to clinical research careers. Thus, she co-founded the “Empowering students through Research Enrichment Actives in Cancer Control and Cancer Care Delivery: EmREACh” Student Enrichment Program. EmREACh enrolls undergraduate students from disadvantaged and marginalized backgrounds with the aimed at reducing barriers that these students face in pursuing careers in healthcare.

Credentials

Education

2004
BS | Lincoln University
Biology

2009
MS | University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry
Pathology

2014
PhD | University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry
Pathology

Clinical Trials

Reducing Frailty for Older Cancer Survivors Using Supplements (ReFOCUS): A Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) on Frailty and Inflammation in Older Survivors of Cancer

Lead Researcher: Nikesha J Gilmore

The purpose of the study is to examine the feasibility and safety of twelve weeks oral supplementation of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in older survivors of cancer

View Study Details

Publications

Journal Articles

4/27/2023
Loh KP, Consagra W, Magnuson A, Baran A, Gilmore N, Giri S, LoCastro M, Isom S, Sohn MB, Williams GR, Houston DK, Nicklas B, Kritchevsky S, Klepin HD. "Associations of interleukin-6 with functional trajectories in older adults with cancer: Findings from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study." Experimental gerontology.. 2023 Apr 27; :112185. Epub 2023 Apr 27.

2/2023
Lin PJ, Altman BJ, Gilmore NJ, Loh KP, Dunne RF, Bautista J, Fung C, Janelsins MC, Peppone LJ, Melnik MK, Gococo KO, Messino MJ, Mustian KM. "Effect of Yoga and Mediational Influence of Fatigue on Walking, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life Among Cancer Survivors." Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN.. 2023 Feb; 21(2):153-162.e2.

8/10/2022
Gilmore N, Culakova E, Mohile S. "In Reply to the Comment on "The Relationship Between Frailty and Emotional Health in Older Patients With Advanced Cancer"." The oncologist.. 2022 Aug 10; Epub 2022 Aug 10.

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