Education:

MS, Biobehavioral Oncology, University of Louisville, 2008
Internship, Medical/Health Psychology, University of Florida, 2011-2012
PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Louisville, 2012

Curriculum Vitae

Current Positions:

Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-HNS, University of Louisville
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Depts of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Geriatric Medicine, University of Louisville

Contact Information:

Division of Otolaryngology-HNS
502-561-7268

Clinical Focus and Research:

Dr. Cash directs the Head & Neck Cancer Outcomes Research Program for the Division of Otolaryngology. Her graduate training and current role in multidisciplinary medical clinics informs her investigation into biological and behavioral correlates of cancer progression. Her current research program is based on a model of psychoneuroendocrine and immune effects in cancer progression (1). Her research assesses relationships between psychological factors; circadian rhythms measured via actigraphy; endocrine rhythms measured via salivary cortisol; systemic inflammatory processes; and biomarkers of tumor progression, response to treatment, and prognosis in head and neck cancer.

Dr. Cash collaborates and consults broadly within the medical and psychology communities. She is available to consult with investigators interested in utilizing behavioral, neuroendocrine, and physiological assessment modalities in their research, including:

• Actigraphy for measurement of both circadian (rest/activity) rhythms as well as sleep variables (total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency

• Salivary cortisol sampling methods for measurement of physiological stress responses, and circadian HPA rhythms
• Methodological and statistical support for a variety of social and medical science research programs

Literature Cited:

1. Eisman, E.; Cash (Lush), E.; Sephton, S.E. (2010). Circadian Effects in Cancer-Relevant Psychoneuroendocrine and Immune Pathways. Psychoneuroendocrinology. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.12.011
2. Sephton, S.E.; Cash (Lush), E.; Dedert, E.; Floyd, A.; Gesler, W.N.; Dhabhar, F.S.; Spiegel, D.; Salmon, P. (2013). Diurnal Cortisol Rhythm as Predictor of Lung Cancer Survival. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.07.019
3. Dedert, E.; Cash (Lush), E.; Chagpar, A.; Dhabhar, F.S.; Segerstrom, S.C.; Spiegel, D.; Dayyat, E; Daup, M.; McMasters, K.; Sephton, S.E. (2012). Stress, Coping and Circadian Disruption Among Women Awaiting Breast Cancer Surgery. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. DOI: 10.1007/s12160-012-9352-y
4. Tennant, P.; Cash, E.; Bumpous, J.M.; Potts, K.L. (2013). Persistent tracheostomy after primary chemoradiation for advanced hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. Head & Neck. DOI: 10.1002/hed.23508
5. Cash, E.; Weissbecker, I.; Salmon, P.; Floyd, A.; Dedert, E.; Gesler, W.; Sephton, S.E. Mindfulness Meditation Alleviates Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Women: Results of a Randomized Trial (2014). Annals of Behavioral Medicine. DOI: 10.1007/s12160-014-9665-0

PubMed Information