Karen Leslie Syrjala PhD, MA

Dr. Karen Syrjala is a clinical psychologist who works to reduce the physical and emotional consequences of cancer. Her research focuses on defining the long-term complications of cancer treatment, including blood stem cell transplantation. She leads clinical trials to improve outcomes during and after cancer treatment. Those studies have focused on symptom management for pain, musculoskeletal symptoms, fatigue, emotional distress, insomnia, and sexual function. Dr. Syrjala co-directs Fred Hutchinson’s Survivorship Program and directs the Biobehavioral Sciences Program, which studies ways to integrate behavioral and biological treatments to help patients adjust to the health, physical and psychological challenges they face after cancer therapy.