Lisa S. Kahalley, PhD

Dr. Kahalley serves as the Associate Chief of Research for the Psychology Division in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and as the Director of Neurobehavioral Oncology in the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center. She leads an NIH-funded multi-disciplinary research program focused on neurocognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes in pediatric cancer.

She is also committed to research mentorship, having mentored dozens of researchers, from undergraduates to junior faculty. She is actively involved in mentoring through the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) as Vice Chair for Career Development in the Behavioral Sciences Committee and Chair of the Mentorship Subcommittee within the Young Investigators Committee. Additionally, she is a standing member of the NCI-J study section, which reviews mentored research awards for NIH/NCI.

Grant information

White Matter Toxicity and Neurocognitive Outcomes in Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients Treated with Proton Beam Radiation Therapy - #R01 CA221197
(06/01/2017 - 05/31/2022) Grant funding from NIH/NCI
A study examining associations between white matter toxicity and neurocognitive outcomes following treatment for pediatric brain tumors with proton beam radiation therapy vs. photon radiation therapy and surgery only.

Cognitive Change after Proton RT vs. Photon or Surgery for Pediatric Brain Tumor - #R01 CA187202
(08/18/2014 - 07/31/2019) Grant funding from NIH/NCI
A study examining neurocognitive late effects following treatment for pediatric brain tumors with proton beam radiation therapy and comparing outcomes between patients treated with proton beam radiation therapy, photon radiation therapy, and surgery only.

Neurocognitive Outcomes Following Proton Beam Radiation Therapy for Treatment of Pediatric Brain Tumor - #K07 CA157923
(08/01/2011 - 07/31/2016) Grant funding from NIH/NCI
To examine neurocognitive late effects following treatment for pediatric brain tumor with proton beam radiation therapy and to compare outcomes between patients treated with proton beam versus conventional radiation therapy

Cognitive Outcome of Proton Beam vs. Conventional Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Brain Tumor
(06/01/2010 - 12/31/2012) Grant funding from Texas Children’s Hospital Pediatric Pilot Research Fund
To examine neurocognitive outcomes following treatment for pediatric brain tumor with conventional or proton beam radiation therapy

Tobacco Use in Survivors of Childhood Cancer - #F31 DA020299
(08/15/2005 - 08/15/2006) NIH/NIDA
To identify the role of attention, overweight, and pubertal onset in the development of survivors’ smoking behavior

Smoking among Survivors of Childhood Cancer - #F32 DA024503
(09/01/2007 - 09/01/2009) Grant funding from NIH/NIDA
To examine the role of cognitive late effects in the smoking behaviors of adolescent survivors of childhood cancer

Survivorship and Access to care for Latinos to Understand and address Disparities - # UG3 CA260607
(2021-2023) Grant funding from NIH/NCI

Comparison of Symptom Burden/Toxicity, Neurocognitive Change, and Functional Outcomes in Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients Treated with Proton vs. Photon Radiotherapy- # R01 CA249988
(2021-2026) Grant funding from NIH/NCI