Lauren Bates-Fraser, PhD

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Population Science

Why I Study Cancer

My goal as a researcher is to help cancer survivors and their families through all the stages of treatment and recovery. I am interested in how exercise can be used as medicine to improve quality of life and cancer outcomes. I am inspired by how ACS unites communities in the fight against cancer and am grateful to work for an organization dedicated to advancing cancer research.”

At ACS since 2024

Lauren Bates-Fraser, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in Physical Activity Epidemiology and Behavior with Population Science for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Under the mentorship of Erika Rees-Punia, she is investigating how physical activity and sedentary behavior affect cancer incidence, survival, and both mental/physical outcomes after a cancer diagnosis. 

Research focus and accomplishments

I am a population scientist specializing in exercise physiology and health behavior within oncology populations. My overarching objective is to reduce cardiometabolic risk and enhance lifestyle habits and survivorship by crafting accessible 24-hour activity guidelines for individuals living with and beyond cancer. My research agenda encompasses:

  • Examining the underlying causes of 24-hour activity behavior in people affected by cancer.
  • Developing interventions that are both effective and feasible, targeting changes in 24-hour activity habits.
  • Identifying barriers and facilitators that shape behaviors affecting 24-hour activity patterns.
  • Investigating strategies for integrating and sustaining lifestyle behavior policies and programs effectively.

I am particularly interested in female-specific cancers and expanding access to physical activity for populations that may benefit the most from a physical activity intervention (i.e., cancer survivors from rural areas or racial/ethnic minorities). 

Publications

For a complete list of Dr. Bates-Fraser’s publications, visit her Google Scholar page.

Contact 

Work Before ACS

  • T32 Cancer Care Quality Training Program, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Pre-Doctoral Fellow, 2022-2024
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Graduate Research Assistant, 2018-2022

Education

  • PhD: Human Movement Science Curriculum, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2020-2024
  • MA: Exercise Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2018-2020
  • BS: Exercise Science and Biology, SUNY Brockport, 2014-2018

Personal

I live in Durham, NC with my husband, daughter, and chocolate lab. I enjoy spending time with my family outdoors, running, and baking sourdough bread.