As a licensed clinical psychologist (PhD) with training in medical science (MSCR) and financial analytics and management (MBA), Dr. Hoerger is a transdisciplinary scientist dedicated to organizing researchers, clinicians, patients, caregivers, trainees, and community partners to improve health and quality of life. He is the founding Director of Tulane’s Health Psychology Doctoral Program and the Psycho-Oncology Research Program. Best known for research in palliative cancer care, he conducts psychosocial studies that empower patients and families across the cancer care continuum. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has served as the founding Director of the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative and is recognized internationally for leading a widely used COVID-19 dashboard. People with cancer remain the largest group at known high risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes, and COVID-19 is anticipated to drive excess deaths, disability, and early retirements worldwide through 2033 and beyond.
Dr. Hoerger has collaborated on more than 125 scientific publications and secured $8 million in medical research funding, including $3 million as Principal Investigator. His work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science (LA CaTS) Center, the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC), the State of Louisiana, and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). He serves as a scientific reviewer for NIH, ACS, and PCORI, and recently completed a term as Co-Chair of PCORI’s National Advisory Panel on Comparative Effectiveness and Decision Science.
Tristen Peyser, MS, MS
Tristen is a 4th-year health psychology PhD student working with Dr. Hoerger. She received a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University, as well as a M.S. in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from Carlow University. Prior to attending Tulane, Tristen worked as a research coordinator and NCI supplement fellow at the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Surgery. Broadly, she is interested in supporting health-related quality of life in patients and their families. She is also interested in developing interventions for underserved populations to decrease health disparities and improve health outcomes by increasing access and utilization of high-quality cancer care.
Nicole Pyke, MS
Nicole recently joined the PORP lab as clinical research coordinator. She is a recent graduate of University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she obtained her master’s in psychology. Her interests in translational research apply to health-related behavior change and quality of life, primarily of intervention and impacts of substance use and associated problematic behaviors. She hopes to pursue her doctorate in clinical behavioral science and further the study of substance use recovery through digital phenotyping and machine learning to enhance patient/client outcomes.
Birney Sherard
Birney is a junior at Tulane University studying psychology and Spanish. The PORP lab has enabled her to explore her passions of psychiatric disorders and Clinical Psychology while contributing to work that truly matters. She has found analyzing the interaction between physical and mental health alongside the lab team to be especially interesting. In her free time, Birney enjoys tutoring children, making pasta, and running.
Allison Kramer
Allison is a junior at Tulane University studying psychology and public health. She aspires to become a clinical psychologist, driven by her passion to work closely with individuals struggling with mental health issues. Her participation in the oncology research lab has contributed to the development of a strong foundation in clinical research methodology and data analytics. Her participation in projects has provided unique insights into the impact mental well-being can have on the physical health of the patient, particularly in the setting of cancer treatment. Outside of school, Allison enjoys going to the gym, exploring the unique NOLA cuisine, and spending time with family.
Finley Livingston
Finley is a junior at Tulane University, double majoring in neuroscience and psychology. She plans to pursue a PhD after graduation and is particularly interested in exploring the effects of chronic pain and illness on individuals and their interpersonal relationships. In her free time, Finley prioritizes time with loved ones and eating great food whenever she can.
Carly Hall
Carly is a Junior pursuing a double major in Public Health and Philosophy. Following graduation, she hopes to attend medical school and specialize in hematology/oncology. Her participation in PORP has allowed her to explore her interests from a research perspective, and she is particularly interested in how social determinants of health can impede access to quality cancer care and palliative care. Outside of lab, Carly enjoys everything music-related, coaching a local high school ethics bowl team, and exploring New Orleans.
Brooke Mikles
Brooke is a Junior double-majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Studies at Tulane University. She plans on attending graduate school to further pursue her passions surrounding clinical psychology in healthcare. She also has interests surrounding psychopathology and hopes to make a lasting impact on her community. On campus, Brooke is part of the Tulane Cheerleading team, as well as a member of the club SAPHE. In her free time, she enjoys baking, going to the gym, and exploring new places with friends.
Natalie Anderson
Natalie is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in social work at Tulane University. She is interested in improving compassion within environments of patient care, especially in end-of-life care. In the future, Natalie plans on attending Physician Assistant school and specializing in emergency medicine. In her free time, Natalie works as an EMT with Tulane EMS and enjoys playing violin, going for walks, and exploring New Orleans.
Lab Alumni and Academic Outcomes
Katie Seibert, MD (BS in 2015): Internal Medicine resident at the University of California, Los Angeles
Sara Voorhees, PhD (BS in 2015): Instructor at Harvard Medical School
Catherine Rochefort, MS (BS in 2014, MS in 2015): Clinical Psychology PhD student at Southern Methodist University
Brooke Duarte, BS (2016): Clinical Psychology PhD student at Suffolk University
Ashley Lewson, BS (2017): Clinical Psychology PhD student at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Leah Walsh, PhD (BS in 2017, MS in 2018): T32 post-doc at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Hannah Mercorella, BS (2019): Nursing student at the University of Miami
Adina Kazan, BS (2019): MD student at Thomas Jefferson University
Sanjana Easwar, BS (2020): MD student at Louisiana State University
James Rogers, BS (2020): MS student at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Sarah Alonzi, BS (2020): Health Psychology PhD student at the University of California, Los Angeles
Hallie Voss, MS (BS in 2020, MS in 2021): Working in the private sector
Lily Freestone, MSN, RN (BS in 2021): Nursing program at Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Laura Perry, PhD (BS in 2016, Health Psychology PhD in 2021): T32 post-doc in the Medical Social Sciences department at Northwestern University, then faculty at Tulane University
Jimmy Moran, PhD (Social-Personality-Health Psychology PhD in 2022): T32 post-doc at the Health Education and Behavior department at the University of Florida, then private sector
Alyssa Kim, BS (2022): MD student at the Tulane University School of Medicine
Addison Dunn, BS (2023): MD student at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
Dana Zapolin, BS (2023): Pre-nursing
Brenna Mossman, PhD (Health Psychology PhD in 2024): T32 post-doc as Georgetown University
Dulcé Rivera, BS (2024): MD student at the Tulane University School of Medicine
Taylor Alcorn, BS (2024): MD student at the Tulane University School of Medicine
