Research
Topic: The research activities of the Symptoms Biology Unit aim to address the "Prevention and Health Promotion" research lens.
Issue: One area of greatest distress for our clinical population, particularly among cancer survivors, are complaints of physical and cognitive decline related to their cancer treatments. These functional declines remain poorly characterized with no diagnostic test to objectively measure the severity of this condition. In addition, evidence has shown that most of these conditions may be a treatment-limiting and often impairs health-related quality of life.
Impact: Dr. Saligan is introducing clinically relevant approaches to phenotype chronic symptoms related to cancer and chronic illness to optimize treatment and management of these conditions. His group’s current research activities are intentionally developed to improve or maintain functional performance of vulnerable populations and communities (i.e., cancer survivors and those living with chronic illnesses). His group’s innovative approaches aim to understand the barriers to functional performance from these vulnerable populations and communities, as well as identify behavioral, social, environmental, and biologic factors that can be used as interventional targets.
Research Protocols
- Patient-Centered Assessment of Symptoms and Outcomes (19-NR-0098)
- A Proof-of-Concept Trial on the Effect of Ketamine on Fatigue(20-NR-0003)
- Investigating Molecular-Genetic Correlates of Fatigue Experienced by Cancer Patients Receiving Treatment (11-NR-0014)
Experience
- Serves as an officer within the United States Public Health Service
- Became an Assistant Clinical Investigator and Principal Investigator of several clinical protocols since 2009.
- Joined NINR in 2007 as a postdoctoral fellow within the Symptom Management Branch, where he became a Lead Associate Investigator of a clinical trial involving individuals with fibromyalgia
Accomplishments
- 2021 NINR Director’s Service Award
- 2020 Awarded tenure as NIH Senior Investigator
- 2020 NIH Director’s Ruth L. Kirschstein Mentoring Award
- 2020 Hasselmeyer Award for Research Initiatives, Office of the Surgeon General
- 2018 Yu (Philip) Xu Mentoring Award, Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association
Education
- PhD, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia
- MS, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia
- BS in Nursing, Liceo de Cagayan University, Philippines
- BS in Medical Technology, Silliman University, Philippines
Leadership
- 2021: Vice Chair, Fatigue Study Group, Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
- 2021: United States Public Health Service, Chief Nurse Officer Senior Advisory Committee member
- 2021: Chair, Planning Committee, Oncology Nursing Society - National Cancer Institute - NINR Symptom
- Science Scientific Colloquium
- 2018: Nurses on Board Coalition, Asian and Pacific Islander Nurses representative