Improving the lives of cancer patients and reducing health disparities

Dr. Claire Conley ’12

Assistant Professor of Oncology, Georgetown University

MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY

The journey to clinical psychology was a deeply personal one for Dr. Claire Conley ’12. Having witnessed her mother, aunt, and grandmother undergo breast cancer diagnosis and treatment — all surviving — Conley answered the call to devote her work to supporting other women through their own cancer experiences. 

Since earning her masters and, ultimately, doctorate in clinical psychology from The Ohio State University, Dr. Conley has focused her work and research on psychosocial issues across the cancer continuum, from prevention to end-of-life. Her research aims to promote health behavior change and improve quality of life in the context of cancer. She has a particular interest in reducing health disparities in cancer screening and survivorship.

Dr. Conley joined the faculty at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center as an assistant professor of oncology in May 2020. As an early-stage investigator, her accomplishments have been nationally recognized by organizations such as the American Psychosomatic Society, the American Psychological Association, and the Society of Behavioral Medicine.

As a psychology major at Notre Dame, Dr. Conley forged an intellectual relationship with her undergraduate thesis mentor, Professor Thomas Merluzzi, with whom she continues to collaborate. Their shared interest in spirituality as a mechanism for coping with cancer is a research topic that originated in her Notre Dame liberal arts education. In her free time, Dr. Conley volunteers as a STEM penpal with the organization Letters to a Pre-Scientist. She also plays Australian rules football and sings with The Washington Chorus.