Media contact: Brianna Hoge
Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Ph.D.,
Photography: Lexi CoonThe University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Ph.D., professor and Webb Endowed Chair of Nutrition Sciences in the School of Health Professions, was awarded the 2023 Joseph F. Fraumeni, Jr. Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Society of Preventive Oncology.
The award is given annually to an outstanding scientist in the area of preventive oncology, cancer control and/or cancer prevention. Demark-Wahnefried, who serves as the associate director for Cancer Prevention and Control at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, has dedicated much of her life to studying lifestyle changes — particularly diet and exercise and their impact on cancer and overall health.
“I have been a member of the ASPO for over 30 years, and it has provided me opportunities that made me a better associate director and training program leader,” Demark-Wahnefried said. “This organization means a lot to me, and I am very grateful and tremendously heartened to receive this award.”
Cancer survivorship has been a keen interest of hers for more than 25 years, and her research has tested a variety of lifestyle interventions among survivors of breast, prostate and other forms of cancer.
Most recently, Demark-Wahnefried was awarded a five-year $11.7 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to test an online diet and exercise intervention titled “Adapting MultiPLe behavior Interventions that eFfectively Improve Cancer Survivor Health,” or AMPLIFI.
As award recipient, Demark-Wahnefried is invited to present at this year’s ASPO Meeting in San Diego, California, in March.