Lee W. Jones, Ph.D. - Program Principal Investigator
I am Associate Professor and Scientific Director of the Duke Center for Cancer Survivorship in the Department of Radiation Oncology within the Duke Cancer Institute. I was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England and completed my Bachelor’s of Science (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Brighton (Eastbourne, East Sussex, England). Following a year of employment as a lifestyle consultant, I moved to Canada to complete my Masters of Science in Kinesiology at Lakehead University (Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada). From there I moved to Edmonton, Alberta to complete my PhD in Exercise Oncology research at the University of Alberta. I also completed my Postdoctoral Fellowship in Exercise Oncology research at the University of Alberta. I joined DUMC in January 2005 in the Program of Cancer Prevention, Detection, and Control. In July 2009, I was made Director of Cancer Survivorship Research and the Duke Exercise-Oncology Program within the Duke University Health System and Duke Cancer Institute.
I live in Durham with my wife, Nicole. I am an avid exerciser and have completed the New York Marathon twice on both occasions to raise money for the Tug McGraw Foundation that supports brain tumor research.
Miranda West, BS - Laboratory Manager
I am currently the Clinical Trials Manager within the Jones Lab for Exercise-Oncology at Duke. I have worked with Dr. Jones and the lab since January 2006 and have seen its success in terms of growth regarding numbers of active projects across multiple cancer populations and the hiring of multiple staff over the past six years. Over the course of my time here my role is constantly growing and changing. I am involved in the overall management of the program that includes approximately 20 projects, 12 staff, and a number of visiting scholars, students, and interns. Specifically, I am in charge of all projects from inception to completion, including budget, regulatory, and staff/patient related matters.
I completed my Masters of Science in Family & Consumer Science in December of 2011. My thesis work looked at coping and quality of life in women diagnosed with early and advanced stage breast cancer. Future endeavors include furthering my skills in Clinical Research Management in addition to taking my certification exam to become a Fellow of Thanatology (study of death, dying, and bereavement) to provide grief counseling to those impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
Outside of work I enjoy traveling, being active, and spending time with family. I am currently training for a half-marathon with Caroline Bishop (EP in lab) and we are set to take the stage in Virginia Beach in September 2012.
Aarti Kenjale, MBBS, MS - Exercise Physiologist/Research Fellow
I am a medical graduate (MBBS) from India and have completed my MS in Exercise and Sports Science from UNC Greensboro. My medical training and previous work on numerous research trials has helped me tie together clinical and research aspects of the medical field. My current lab responsibilities primarily consist of assisting cardiopulmonary exercise testing, test interpretations, vascular function assessment using tonometry, database management, and assessment of multiple research variables for ongoing clinical trials and exercise training. I enjoy teaming up with an outstanding lab group and I am looking forward continued involvement with the expanding lab goals and clinical trials.
Outside of work, I enjoy staying active, being outdoors, learning new cultures, venturing to new places, and connecting with family and friends.
Amy Lane, MS - Exercise Physiologist
I am currently a Clinical Research Coordinator within the Jones Lab for Exercise-Oncology at Duke. I completed my Masters of Arts in Exercise Physiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2009. Since joining the lab in April 2010 my focus has morphed. Today my primary responsibilities are the management, planning, and execution of all clinical assessments within the lab and its daily operations. These include the scheduling and execution of testing from blood specimen collection and processing to muscle biopsies and cardiopulmonary exercise tests across all studies.
Away from work, I enjoy being active outdoors, including running with my dog, Henry, and playing tennis and soccer. As an avid baseball fan, I follow my St. Louis Cardinals as they pursue another World Championship!
Caroline Bishop, MS, CES - Exercise Physiologist
I am working as an exercise physiologist in the Jones Cardio- Oncology Exercise Lab. I received my masters of science degree in clinical exercise physiology from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. My main responsibilities in the lab include overseeing all components of exercise training for participants in our clinical exercise studies. This includes exercise prescription development, proper implementation of study protocol’s, as well as attendance and adherence to exercise across all studies. In addition, I assist with other assessments included in our studies such as cardiopulmonary exercise testing, ECG interpretation, body composition, and vascular function testing. I feel truly fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful team, and believe our hard work is making a meaningful impact on people’s lives!
Outside of work, I stay active with the Bouncing Bulldogs International Rope Skipping Team, whom I have been a part of since 1995. I also enjoy rowing, swimming, and basically anything outdoors and on the water. I am currently training for my first half marathon with Miranda West (Lab Manager) and we are set to race in September 2012 at Virginia Beach!
Emily Schwitzer, BS - Clinical Trials Specialist
I am currently a Clinical Trials Specialist within the Jones Lab for Exercise-Oncology at Duke. In 2011, I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Evolutionary Anthropology and Chemistry at Duke University where I was a member of the varsity track and cross-country teams. Thereafter, I joined the Jones Lab family as a Research Technician, primarily responsible for training all participants in our funded clinical trials. Over the course of the past year, my role has evolved to encompass more of the front-end component of clinical trials including screening, recruitment, and data management and I will soon be receiving the title Clinical Trials Specialist for my efforts. Further, I am specifically responsible for the oversight of our metastatic breast cancer and bladder cancer studies.
Outside of work, my time is spent applying to medical school, exploring all that North Carolina has to offer, and playing coach for the Jones Lab in any and all of their running endeavors. I am truly honored to have had the privilege of working with such an exceptional team and look forward to another year!
Lauren Sheppard, MS - Exercise Physiologist
I am an exercise physiologist and have been a part of the Jones Cardio-Oncology Research Group since August 2011. I completed my Master’s in Health and Exercise Science at Wake Forest University in 2010, and began my first research position at Duke soon after. I love to encourage individuals to engage in healthy, active and well-rounded lifestyles, especially as it relates to cancer survivorship. My primary responsibilities in the lab include exercise training participants in our clinical trials, and assisting with testing procedures in the lab. My two favorite parts about working here is sharing life with our participants and working with a team of talented, driven, and compassionate individuals – it is truly an honor to work with such an extraordinary team!
Outside of the office, my husband and I love to travel and hike through the beautiful North Carolina mountains, share in life with family and friends, and occasionally I’ll even whip out the ol’ fiddle and join in with some bluegrass pickers or musician-friends for a little heart-to-heart fun through music.
Ashley Lightner, MS - Exercise Physiologist
I am an exercise physiologist with the Jones Lab. I received my bachelor’s degree in exercise science from UNC-Wilmington and my master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology from Appalachian State University. My previous work experience includes assisting with cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, assisting with exercise and pulmonary function testing, and managing the fitness department at Appalachian State University. My research background includes determining the effects of aerobic exercise and resistance exercise on cardiac autonomic function and baroreflex sensitivity. My current lab responsibilities include exercise training the participants involved in our clinical trials, performing exercise and pulmonary function tests, performing body composition assessments, and assisting with muscle biopsies. I am excited to be part of the Jones Lab and look forward to my involvement in the future.
When not at work, I like to stay active outside. I enjoy running and competing in local long distance races. I also enjoy weekend trips to the beach and lake.
Meghan Michalski, MS - Exercise Physiologist
I am an exercise physiologist and have been with the Jones Cardio-Oncology Research Group since August 2012 after completing an internship in their lab. I studied at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science in 2010 and continued on to complete my Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2012. Previously I have worked in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, helping people get back to what they love to do. During my Master’s course work I completed my research thesis on the effects of lung function due to secondhand smoke inhalation during adolescence. I feel very fortunate to work with such a wonderful staff and to have the opportunity to meet so many amazing people!
Outside of the office I enjoy exploring North Carolina and all it has to offer. So far I have taken advantage of several of the running trails as well as never ending list of local restaurants, breweries and farmers markets. I do still miss the Wisconsin snow fall but am excited about all the extra days to enjoy the outdoors!
Emily Lewis, BS - Fitness Specialist
It is with great excitement that I have joined the Jones Cardio-Oncology Research Group as a Fitness Specialist in March 2013, after completing a degree as a Health Fitness Specialist at East Carolina University in 2012. During the several months prior to being at Duke, I worked as a Fit Coach at the Rush Fitness Complex, and as a Fitness Instructor at UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont. Working with people and positively encouraging others to reach their fullest potential in a healthy and happy lifestyle gives me energy and great satisfaction. I am thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful team and eager to dive into my new role within the team. I spend most of my time at the fitness center, working with participants from our current studies, and encouraging them in their exercise routines. Outside of work, I enjoy working out, helping people, creative projects, cooking, being outside, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Oliver Glass, BS - PhD Student
My name is Oliver Glass and I am a Phd student in the Department of Pathology at Duke University. I received my BS from The Ohio State University in molecular genetics where I conducted research on the role of E2F transcription factors in tumorigenesis. After pursuing numerous translational research projects utilizing cancer vaccines with Dr. H. Kim Lyerly at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, I decided to focus my efforts further on cancer survivorship. I am currently investigating several preclinical models of exercise and plan to develop these models further in the future for translational studies.
In addition, my passion for exercise extends well outside the walls of the lab. I am a Crossfit athlete who has competed in the 2010 Crossfit Games and the 2011 Reebok Crossfit Games among other regional and local events. I am a member of Team Inov-8 USA and I plan to compete in the sport of fitness for years to come.
Michael Peace, DVM - PhD Student
I am a Visiting Research Scholar at the Duke University Medical Center, and a Post-Doctoral Trainee with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from NC State University in 2007. I have spent time working in animal hospitals, working on pig farms and doing behavioral research in guppies at Indiana University, in Bloomington, Indiana. I then went on to Veterinary School at NC State. While learning how to be a veterinarian, I decided to investigate a career as a researcher. As a junior in Vet School, I successfully competed for a Howard Hughes Medical Institute fellowship, also at the National Institutes of Health, which allowed me to take a year off of Vet School and live at the NIH doing full-time research. After graduating in 2011 with my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, I came to Duke where I will work on a PhD deciphering mechanisms behind the positive associations seen with exercise and cancer. While I have been very busy and successful, my greatest successes are the friendships and relationships I’ve been able to create; I am very fortunate to have a solid group of people behind me helping me achieve all of my goals. I spend my free time with my family, friends and London, my 5 year old Yellow Labrador.