Diane Von Ah, PhD, RN, FAAN, MSN, BSN
- Associate Professor & Department Chair: Community and Health Systems at Indiana University School of Nursing
- Associate Dean of Academic Operations
- Full Member, Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center
Dr. Diane Von Ah's program of research focuses on advancing the state of the science in the area of cancer survivorship including symptom management and quality of life. Her research is unique in that it combines clinical, behavioral, and basic sciences to address cancer symptom management, focusing primarily on cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients. Her interdisciplinary program of research regarding the neuropsychological sequelae of cancer and cancer treatment includes four primary and inter-related foci including: (1) describing the incidence of cognitive impairment in cancer survivors; (2) examining the impact of cognitive impairment in everyday life and its effect on quality of life for cancer survivors, taking into consideration racial, ethnic, gender, and age-related issues; (3) exploring the behavioral, biological, and/or genetic processes related to cognitive impairment; and (4) developing translatable interventions to maintain or improve cognition for cancer survivors. Dr. Von Ah's research has been externally funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, Oncology Nursing Society, and internally by the Center for Enhancing Quality of Life (SON) and the CTSI. She has received several awards for her work including most recently Victoria Mock, Oncology Nursing Society New Investigator Award, Midwest Nursing Research Society Women's Health Section, New Investigator Award, and the John and Mary Barron Quality of Life Investigator Award.
