Donna Murdaugh, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, received one of 53 grants recently awarded by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Dr. Murdaugh was awarded a Supportive Care Research Grant to help fund her research project title, “Feasibility of cognitive remediation via telemedicine in cancer survivors.” Her study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive remediation interventions via telemedicine for cancer survivors between the ages of 10 and 18 years old. 

“Childhood cancer survivors who were treated with high-dose chemotherapy are at risk for cognitive impairment which can impact their transition to independent living and adulthood,” explains Dr. Murdaugh. “There is limited data about cognitive remediation interventions and whether they can improve cognitive functioning in childhood cancer survivors. This grant will allow us to provide a program to childhood cancer survivors to help them develop independence skills and set future goals for themselves. I hope to be able to reach as many childhood cancer survivors as possible and this grant helps me to do this by supporting the development of a cognitive remediation program families can access virtually.”

Dr. Murdaugh is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and a member of the UAB Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship. Her research is focused on improving neurocognitive outcomes in cancer survivors. 

St. Baldrick’s is the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. The total funding for the 53 grants recently announced totals $12.9 million. Since 2005, St. Baldrick’s has awarded more than $300 million research grants.