Patricia Sheean
Associate Professor, Applied Health Sciences
I am a Registered Dietitian by trade and a nutrition scientist by training. My research involves the evaluation of how medical nutrition therapies (e.g., plant-based eating, tube or vein feedings) impact outcomes in clinical populations. Specifically, I have worked with patients in intensive care units, patients with blood cancers requiring stem cell transplant, and, more recently, patients treated for breast (early and late stage) and prostate cancer (early and late stage). My colleagues and I are particularly interested in cancer survivorship, especially among underrepresented groups, since cancer outcomes differ by race, ethnicity, and geography. Our primary goal: improve the lives of people diagnosed with cancer and identify how nutrition and physical activity interventions impact muscle and fat, general health, symptom burden, physical functioning, and chronic disease management.
The following projects showcase our current work:
Men Moving Forward - a lifestyle program for African American prostate cancer survivors (National Institutes of Health R01, PI: Stolley, NCT03971591)
Every Day Counts- a lifestyle intervention for women with metastatic breast cancer ((National Institutes of Health R01, MPI: Sheean & Stolley, NCT03824145)
Moving Forward with Multiple Myeloma (National Institutes of Health R01, MPI: D’Souza, Sheean & Stolley, NCT Pending)
Education
- Bachelor's degree, University of Arizona
- Master's degree, University of Illinois at Chicago
- PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago
What prompted you to pursue your field?
I believe that healthy living is happy living, so being a registered dietitian supports this personal mission.
What would you tell a student about why your field is exciting or important?
This field is important because nutrition is the cornerstone of chronic disease prevention. We have a lot of work to do.
What called you to or attracted you to Loyola?
The notion of 'serving others' has many definitions. However, for me it always has been about using any skills, knowledge or resources that I have to help people discover healthier versions of themselves.
Publications
to Dr. Sheean's publications