Lisa S. Kahalley, PhD
- Pediatric Psychology

Associate Chief of Research, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine
Director of Neurobehavioral Oncology, Cancer and Hematology Center, Texas Children's Hospital
Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Psychology Division, Baylor College of Medicine
Email: lkahalley@texaschildrens.org
Phone:
832-822-4759
Phone:
832-822-4759
Office Phone
Languages: English
Office location:
1102 Bates Avenue
Houston, TX 77030
Get to know Lisa S. Kahalley, PhD
Dr. Lisa 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
Education
School | Education | Degree | Year |
---|---|---|---|
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | Post-doctoral Fellowship | Pediatric Psychology | 2009 |
University of Memphis | PhD | Doctor of Philosophy | 2007 |
Duke University Medical Center | Internship | Pediatric Clinical Psychology | 2007 |
Organizations
Organization Name | Role |
---|---|
American Psychological Association (APA) | Member |
International Neuropsychological Society | Member |
International Society of Paediatric Oncology | Co-chair, Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Network |
Society of Pediatric Psychology | Member (Division 54) |
Honors and awards
- 2020
-
Research Mentor Award, Texas Children's Hospital
* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Kahalley’ s research focuses on issues of pediatric cancer survivorship, particularly neurocognitive and functional late effects of disease and treatment. Currently, she is PI/MPI on two R01s from NIH/NCI to compare the effects of proton radiotherapy, photon radiotherapy, and surgery on neurocognitive outcomes and white matter development in pediatric brain tumor patients and survivors. She is MPI on a third R01 from NIH/NCI, which funds a multinational collaboration comparing toxicities, neurocognitive change, and functional outcomes in pediatric brain tumor patients treated with proton versus photon radiotherapy. Additionally, she is MPI on a UG3 from NIH/NCI examining disparities in survivorship and access to care among Latino survivors of pediatric cancer.