Jacqueline Roll
I have worked as a scientist in the field of cancer research since 2004 and received my Ph.D. in pathology from the University of North Carolina in 2008. Why did I decide to add freelance writer to my list of pursuits? After working in three different cancer labs, I suddenly became the “go-to” person for all things medical in my family. It was at this point that I became aware of the gap between the realities of the current medical research knowledgebase and the level of awareness the typical person has concerning biology, disease, and the inner workings of the human body. My goal is to make (often jargon-ridden) medical research accessible, understandable, and relevant to people in a way that hopefully will spark my readers’ interest in science and empower them to make well-informed decisions about their health.
I received my B.A. in Biology from Smith College in 2004 where I began my research career in an evolutionary ecology laboratory in 2003. My current research focuses on cell signalling in leukemia cells, and, previously, on uncovering the mechanism and clinical ramifications of a subtype of poor-prognosis breast cancer. My scientific writing has been published in journals such as Cancer Research, Epigenetics, Molecular Cancer, and The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. I am a current member of numerous professional societies, including: American Medical Writers Association, American Society for Investigative Pathology, and Sigma Xi. I received a number of honors for my Ph.D. research, including being named a Robert H. Wagner Scholar and being awarded a 2008 North Carolina Impact Award.
Latest Articles
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The Health Benefits of Lycopene for Women
Lycopene gets a lot of attention for reducing prostate cancer risk in men, but new research suggests it may have important health benefits for women too.
Jan 14, 2011
- Jacqueline Roll
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What causes Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Understanding the causes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an important first step in managing this health issue.
Jan 7, 2011
- Jacqueline Roll
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Personalized Medicine
The powerful new concept of personalized medicine holds great promise for improving patient health, although its full potential has yet to be realized.
Jun 22, 2008
- Jacqueline Roll
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Why Do We Feel Pain?
Many of us, especially those dealing with chronic pain conditions, may wonder what is the point of our ability to feel pain.
Jun 22, 2008
- Jacqueline Roll
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Sunscreen Smarts
Good sun protection is more than just applying sunscreen during trips to the beach.
Mar 30, 2008
- Jacqueline Roll
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Obesity and Breast Cancer
Overweight breast cancer patients are more likely to have a more aggressive form of the disease and die sooner, new research indicates.
Mar 23, 2008
- Jacqueline Roll
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Stress and Cervical Cancer
Women with higher levels of perceived stress may be less able to fight off HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer.
Feb 15, 2008
- Jacqueline Roll
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The Pill and Ovarian Cancer
Good news for the more than 100 million women taking oral contraceptives-it may cut their risk of ovarian cancer in half.
Feb 8, 2008
- Jacqueline Roll
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Cancer Screening Basics
Getting appropriate cancer screening literally can save lives since early detection is the key to effective cancer treatment.
Feb 5, 2008
- Jacqueline Roll
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Women's Cancer Screening
Cancer is the second leading killer of women, making appropriate screening not only essential for early detection, but truly a matter of life and death.
Jan 24, 2008
- Jacqueline Roll
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