Galen Joseph, PhD

Professor

Dr. Galen Joseph, Ph.D. is a Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. She is also a member of the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Affiliate Faculty with the Center for Vulnerable Populations at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. As an anthropologist, she specializes in ethnographic approaches, but uses a range of mixed qualitative and quantitative methods and community-based participatory research to investigate issues affecting vulnerable and medically underserved populations across the cancer continuum and in the context of the translation of new genomic technologies to clinical settings. She is particularly interested in communication across language, literacy and culture and has developed interventions for healthcare interpreters and genetic counselors to ensure that limited English speakers have equitable access to advances in precision medicine.

Key areas of interest include: genomic medicine, translational medicine, clinical trials recruitment, clinical trials education, health communication and health literacy, cancer, migration, globalization, and identity.
Education
2021 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, UCSF
Post-Doc, 06/2001 - Migration, Globalization, and Citizenship, Yale University
PhD, 06/1999 - Cultural Anthropology, University of California
BA, 05/1988 - Anthropology, Wesleyan University
Websites
Publications

  1. Joseph G, Leo MC, Riddle L, Guerra C, Amendola LM, Gilmore MJ, Rolf BA, Dorschner MO, Zepp J, Biesecker BB, Caruncho M, Hunter JE, Keast E, Lewis HS, Duenas D, Kauffman T, Bulkley JE, Anderson KP, Jarvik GP, Goddard KAB, Wilfond BS, CHARM Study Team. An accessible, relational, inclusive, and actionable (ARIA) model of genetic counseling compared with usual care: Results of a randomized controlled trial. 2022. PMID: 36053287


  4. Mittendorf KF, Lewis HS, Duenas DM, Eubanks DJ, Gilmore MJ, Goddard KAB, Joseph G, Kauffman TL, Kraft SA, Lindberg NM, Reyes AA, Shuster E, Syngal S, Ukaegbu C, Zepp JM, Wilfond BS, Porter KM. Literacy-adapted, electronic family history assessment for genetics referral in primary care: patient user insights from qualitative interviews. 2022. PMID: 35689290


  5. Niharika Dixit, Ana I. Velazquez Manana, Kelly Gordon, Ivan C. Leung, Terence W. Friedlander, Miya Frick, Evelin Trejo, Kendall Levine, Rebecca Jane DeBoer, Robin Lee, Judy M. Cheng, Paul Couey, Chia-Ching Jackie Wang, Galen Joseph. Implementation of a “genetic testing station” in a safety net hospital to optimize access and increase equity. 2022. PMID:


  6. Ding L, Szymczak JE, Evans E, Canepa E, Martin AE, Contractor F, Aplenc R, Joseph G, Winestone LE. Factors that contribute to disparities in time to acute leukemia diagnosis in young people: an in depth qualitative interview study. 2022. PMID: 35550034


  7. Amendola LM, Shuster E, Leo MC, Dorschner MO, Rolf BA, Shirts BH, Gilmore MJ, Okuyama S, Zepp JM, Kauffman TL, Mittendorf KF, Bellcross C, Jenkins CL, Joseph G, Riddle L, Syngal S, Ukaegbu C, Goddard KAB, Wilfond BS, Jarvik GP, CHARM Study. Laboratory-related outcomes from integrating an accessible delivery model for hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic testing in populations with barriers to access. 2022. PMID: 35305866


  8. O'Daniel JM, Ackerman S, Desrosiers LR, Rego S, Knight SJ, Mollison L, Byfield G, Anderson KP, Danila MI, Horowitz CR, Joseph G, Lamoure G, Lindberg NM, McMullen CK, Mittendorf KF, Ramos MA, Robinson M, Sillari C, Madden EB, CSER Stakeholder and Engagement Work Group. Integration of stakeholder engagement from development to dissemination in genomic medicine research: Approaches and outcomes from the CSER Consortium. 2022. PMID: 35227608


  9. Riddle L, Karliner LS, Livaudais-Toman J, Guerra C, Roat CE, Rope AF, Wade A, Caruncho M, Zepp JM, Giang J, Wilfond BS, Joseph G. Development and evaluation of an exome sequencing training course for medical interpreters. 2022. PMID: 35171038


  10. Chan H, Van Loon K, Kenfield SA, Chan JM, Mitchell E, Zhang L, Paciorek A, Joseph G, Laffan A, Atreya C, Fukuoka Y, Miaskowski C, Meyerhardt JA, Venook AP, Van Blarigan EL. Quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors participating in a pilot randomized controlled trial of physical activity trackers and daily text messages. 2022. PMID: 35119520


  11. Mittendorf KF, Kauffman TL, Amendola LM, Anderson KP, Biesecker BB, Dorschner MO, Duenas DM, Eubanks DJ, Feigelson HS, Gilmore MJ, Hunter JE, Joseph G, Kraft SA, Lee SSJ, Leo MC, Liles EG, Lindberg NM, Muessig KR, Okuyama S, Porter KM, Riddle LS, Rolf BA, Rope AF, Zepp JM, Jarvik GP, Wilfond BS, Goddard KAB, CHARM study team. Corrigendum to "Cancer Health Assessments Reaching Many (CHARM): A clinical trial assessing a multimodal cancer genetics services delivery program and its impact on diverse populations" [Contemporary Clinical Trials 106 (2021) 106432]. 2022. PMID: 35123916


  13. Mittendorf KF, Knerr S, Kauffman TL, Lindberg NM, Anderson KP, Feigelson HS, Gilmore MJ, Hunter JE, Joseph G, Kraft SA, Zepp JM, Syngal S, Wilfond BS, Goddard KAB. Systemic Barriers to Risk-Reducing Interventions for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes: Implications for Health Care Inequities. 2021. PMID: 34778694


  15. Lee R, Frick M, Joseph G, Guerra C, Stewart S, Kaplan C, Dixit N, Tsoh JY, Flores S, Pasick RJ. Research to reduce inequities in cancer risk services: Insights for remote genetic counseling in a pandemic and beyond. 2021. PMID: 34687478


  17. Almeida R, Lopez-Macha A, Dugatkin T, Joseph G, Duron Y, Hurtado de Mendoza A, D Graves K, Fejerman L. Community research collaboration to develop a promotores-based hereditary breast cancer education program for Spanish-speaking Latinas. 2021. PMID: 34113985


  18. Mittendorf KF, Kauffman TL, Amendola LM, Anderson KP, Biesecker BB, Dorschner MO, Duenas DM, Eubanks DJ, Feigelson HS, Gilmore MJ, Hunter JE, Joseph G, Kraft SA, Lee SSJ, Leo MC, Liles EG, Lindberg NM, Muessig KR, Okuyama S, Porter KM, Riddle LS, Rolf BA, Rope AF, Zepp JM, Jarvik GP, Wilfond BS, Goddard KAB, CHARM study team. Cancer Health Assessments Reaching Many (CHARM): A clinical trial assessing a multimodal cancer genetics services delivery program and its impact on diverse populations. 2021. PMID: 33984519


  19. Laura Amendola, Sabrina A. Suckiel, Julianne O’Daniel, Katherine Donohue, Katie Gallagher, Marian Gilmore, Laura Hendon, Galen Joseph, Billie Lianoglou, Jennifer M. Mathews, Mary Norton, Jaqueline Ogdis, Alexis Poss, Shannon Rego, Sarah Scollon, Tiffany Yip. eP317 Genomic sequencing results disclosure in diverse and underserved populations: themes, challenges and strategies from the CSER Consortium. 2021. PMID:


  20. Suckiel SA, O'Daniel JM, Donohue KE, Gallagher KM, Gilmore MJ, Hendon LG, Joseph G, Lianoglou BR, Mathews JM, Norton ME, Odgis JA, Poss AF, Rego S, Scollon S, Yip T, Amendola LM. Genomic Sequencing Results Disclosure in Diverse and Medically Underserved Populations: Themes, Challenges, and Strategies from the CSER Consortium. 2021. PMID: 33805616


  21. Riddle L, Amendola LM, Gilmore MJ, Guerra C, Biesecker B, Kauffman TL, Anderson K, Rope AF, Leo MC, Caruncho M, Jarvik GP, Wilfond B, Goddard KAB, Joseph G. Development and early implementation of an Accessible, Relational, Inclusive and Actionable approach to genetic counseling: The ARIA model. 2020. PMID: 33549385


  22. Biesecker BB, Lillie SE, Amendola LM, Donohue KE, East KM, Foreman AKM, Gilmore MJ, Greve V, Liangolou B, O'Daniel JM, Odgis JA, Rego S, Rolf B, Scollon S, Suckiel SA, Zepp J, Joseph G. A review and definition of 'usual care' in genetic counseling trials to standardize use in research. 2020. PMID: 33278053


  23. Robin Lee, Miya Frick, Celia Kaplan, Galen Joseph, Janice Tsoh, Selina Flores, Niharika Dixit, Heather Cedermaz, Lly Wang, Amal Khoury, Brittany Campbell, Rena Pasick, Claudia S. Guerra, Susan L. Stewart. Abstract PO-012: Acceptance and refusal among multi-lingual safety net patients to participate in a trial comparing genetic counseling delivery modes. 2020. PMID:


  24. Leslie Riddle, Laura M. Amendola, Marian J. Gilmore, Brad Rolf, Jamilyn Zepp, Claudia Guerra, Barbara Biesecker, Mikaella Caruncho, Katherine P. Anderson, Alan F. Rope, Tia L. Kauffman, Hannah Lewis, Stephanie A. Kraft, Devan M. Duenas, Benjamin Wilfond, Katrina A.B. Goddard, Galen Joseph. Abstract PO-050: Reducing disparities in genomic medicine using a literacy-focused genetic counseling model for cancer risk assessment. 2020. PMID:


  25. Rena J Pasick, Susan L. Stewart, Robin Lee, Claudia Guerra, Celia Kaplan, Galen Joseph, Selina Flores, Janice Tsoh, Niharika Dixit, Miya Frick, Heather Cedermaz, Lily Wong, Amal Khoury, Brittany Campbell. Abstract PO-051: Genetic counseling for high-risk public hospital patients: A randomized and preference-based trial compares delivery in person, by phone, and video. 2020. PMID:


  26. Kraft SA, Porter KM, Duenas DM, Guerra C, Joseph G, Lee SS, Shipman KJ, Allen J, Eubanks D, Kauffman TL, Lindberg NM, Anderson K, Zepp JM, Gilmore MJ, Mittendorf KF, Shuster E, Muessig KR, Arnold B, Goddard KAB, Wilfond BS. Participant Reactions to a Literacy-Focused, Web-Based Informed Consent Approach for a Genomic Implementation Study. 2020. PMID: 32981477


  27. Heather Spencer Feigelson, Kathleen F. Mittendorf, Tia L. Kauffman, Katherine Anderson, Sonia Okuyama, Benjamin Wilfond, Gail P. Jarvik, Laura M. Amendola, Carmit McMullen, Fances Lynch, Donna Eubanks, Elizabeth Shuster, Jake Allen, Stephanie A. Kraft, Galen Joseph, Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, Katrina A.B. Goddard. Abstract PR02: Using web-based tools to assess familial cancer risk in diverse populations. 2020. PMID:


  29. Claudia Guerra, Robin Lee, Susan L Stewart, Celia Kaplan, Galen Joseph, Janice Tsoh, Niharika Dixit, Heather Cedermaz, Jin Kim, Jane Campbell, Lily X Wang, Amal Khoury, Cindy Hellman-Wylie, Rena J Pasick. Abstract A034: Extending the reach of genetic counseling to the safety net: Study design and recruitment challenges of a randomized trial. 2020. PMID:


  30. Rena J Pasick, Brittany Campbell, Hope S Rugo, Christen Dillard, Marion Harris, Galen Joseph. Abstract D078: Unlocking the vault: Can 2nd opinions by Comprehensive Cancer Center breast oncologists improve treatment quality for African Americans?. 2020. PMID:


  31. Goddard KAB, Angelo FAN, Ackerman SL, Berg JS, Biesecker BB, Danila MI, East KM, Hindorff LA, Horowitz CR, Hunter JE, Joseph G, Knight SJ, McGuire A, Muessig KR, Ou J, Outram S, Rahn EJ, Ramos MA, Rini C, Robinson JO, Smith HS, Waltz M, Lee SS. Lessons learned about harmonizing survey measures for the CSER consortium. 2020. PMID: 33948230


  32. Kraft SA, McMullen C, Lindberg NM, Bui D, Shipman K, Anderson K, Joseph G, Duenas DM, Porter KM, Kauffman TL, Koomas A, Ransom CL, Jackson P, Goddard KAB, Wilfond BS, Lee SS. Integrating stakeholder feedback in translational genomics research: an ethnographic analysis of a study protocol's evolution. 2020. PMID: 32089547


  33. Van Blarigan EL, Chan H, Van Loon K, Kenfield SA, Chan JM, Mitchell E, Zhang L, Paciorek A, Joseph G, Laffan A, Atreya CE, Fukuoka Y, Miaskowski C, Meyerhardt JA, Venook AP. Self-monitoring and reminder text messages to increase physical activity in colorectal cancer survivors (Smart Pace): a pilot randomized controlled trial. 2019. PMID: 30866859


  34. Nickell A, Stewart SL, Burke NJ, Guerra C, Cohen E, Lawlor C, Colen S, Cheng J, Joseph G. Engaging limited English proficient and ethnically diverse low-income women in health research: A randomized trial of a patient navigator intervention. 2019. PMID: 30772115


  36. Lara-Otero K, Weil J, Guerra C, Cheng JKY, Youngblom J, Joseph G. Genetic Counselor and Healthcare Interpreter Perspectives on the Role of Interpreters in Cancer Genetic Counseling. 2018. PMID: 30230379


  37. Amendola LM, Berg JS, Horowitz CR, Angelo F, Bensen JT, Biesecker BB, Biesecker LG, Cooper GM, East K, Filipski K, Fullerton SM, Gelb BD, Goddard KAB, Hailu B, Hart R, Hassmiller-Lich K, Joseph G, Kenny EE, Koenig BA, Knight S, Kwok PY, Lewis KL, McGuire AL, Norton ME, Ou J, Parsons DW, Powell BC, Risch N, Robinson M, Rini C, Scollon S, Slavotinek AM, Veenstra DL, Wasserstein MP, Wilfond BS, Hindorff LA, Plon SE, Jarvik GP. The Clinical Sequencing Evidence-Generating Research Consortium: Integrating Genomic Sequencing in Diverse and Medically Underserved Populations. 2018. PMID: 30193136


  38. Atreya CE, Kubo A, Borno HT, Rosenthal B, Campanella M, Rettger JP, Joseph G, Allen IE, Venook AP, Altschuler A, Dhruva A. Being Present: A single-arm feasibility study of audio-based mindfulness meditation for colorectal cancer patients and caregivers. 2018. PMID: 30036361


  39. Hilary Chan, Katherine Van Loon, Stacey A. Kenfield, June M. Chan, Emily Mitchell, Li Zhang, Alan T Paciorek, Galen Joseph, Angela Laffan, Yoshimi Fukuoka, Christine Miaskowski, Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, Alan P. Venook, Erin Van Blarigan. Effect of physical activity trackers and daily text messages on quality-of-life in colorectal survivors (Smart Pace): A pilot randomized controlled trial. 2018. PMID:


  40. Hilary Chan, Katherine Van Loon, Stacey A. Kenfield, June M. Chan, Emily Mitchell, Li Zhang, Alan Paciorek, Galen Joseph, Angela Laffan, Yoshimi Fukuoka, Christine Miaskowski, Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, Alan P. Venook, Erin Van Blarigan. Effect of physical activity trackers and daily text messages on quality-of-life in colorectal survivors (Smart Pace): A pilot randomized controlled trial. 2018. PMID:


  41. Erin Van Blarigan, Katherine Van Loon, Stacey A. Kenfield, June M. Chan, Emily Mitchell, Hilary Chan, Li Zhang, Alan Paciorek, Galen Joseph, Angela Laffan, Yoshimi Fukuoka, Christine Miaskowski, Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, Alan P. Venook. Self-monitoring and reminder text messages to increase physical activity after colorectal cancer (CRC): A pilot randomized controlled trial. 2018. PMID:


  42. Cheng JKY, Guerra C, Pasick RJ, Schillinger D, Luce J, Joseph G. Cancer genetic counseling communication with low-income Chinese immigrants. Volume 9 of Issue 3. 2017. PMID: 29197036


  43. Joseph G, Pasick RJ, Schillinger D, Luce J, Guerra C, Cheng JKY. Erratum to: Information Mismatch: Cancer Risk Counseling with Diverse Underserved Patients. Volume 26 of Issue 5. 2017. PMID: 28432537


  44. Kamara D, Weil J, Youngblom J, Guerra C, Joseph G. Cancer Counseling of Low-Income Limited English Proficient Latina Women Using Medical Interpreters: Implications for Shared Decision-Making. Volume 27 of Issue 1. 2017. PMID: 28791541


  45. Joseph G, Pasick RJ, Schillinger D, Luce J, Guerra C, Cheng JKY. Information Mismatch: Cancer Risk Counseling with Diverse Underserved Patients. Volume 26 of Issue 5. 2017. PMID: 28289853


  46. G Joseph, RJ Pasick, D Schillinger, J Luce, JKY Cheng, C Guerra. Effective Cancer Risk Communication to Prevent Disparities in the Era of Precision Medicine. 2017. PMID:


  47. Berg JS, Agrawal PB, Bailey DB, Beggs AH, Brenner SE, Brower AM, Cakici JA, Ceyhan-Birsoy O, Chan K, Chen F, Currier RJ, Dukhovny D, Green RC, Harris-Wai J, Holm IA, Iglesias B, Joseph G, Kingsmore SF, Koenig BA, Kwok PY, Lantos J, Leeder SJ, Lewis MA, McGuire AL, Milko LV, Mooney SD, Parad RB, Pereira S, Petrikin J, Powell BC, Powell CM, Puck JM, Rehm HL, Risch N, Roche M, Shieh JT, Veeraraghavan N, Watson MS, Willig L, Yu TW, Urv T, Wise AL. Newborn Sequencing in Genomic Medicine and Public Health. Volume 139 of Issue 2. 2017. PMID: 28096516


  48. Burke NJ, Napoles TM, Banks PJ, Orenstein FS, Luce JA, Joseph G. Survivorship Care Plan Information Needs: Perspectives of Safety-Net Breast Cancer Patients. Volume 11 of Issue 12. 2016. PMID: 27992491


  49. Stewart SL, Kaplan CP, Lee R, Joseph G, Karliner L, Livaudais-Toman J, Pasick RJ. Validation of an Efficient Screening Tool to Identify Low-Income Women at High Risk for Hereditary Breast Cancer. Volume 19 of Issue 6. 2016. PMID: 27788513


  50. Pasick RJ, Joseph G, Stewart S, Kaplan C, Lee R, Luce J, Davis S, Marquez T, Nguyen T, Guerra C. Effective Referral of Low-Income Women at Risk for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer to Genetic Counseling: A Randomized Delayed Intervention Control Trial. Volume 106 of Issue 10. 2016. PMID: 27552275


  51. Joseph G, Chen F, Harris-Wai J, Puck JM, Young C, Koenig BA. Parental Views on Expanded Newborn Screening Using Whole-Genome Sequencing. Volume 137 Suppl 1. 2016. PMID: 26729702


  52. Nickell A, Burke NJ, Cohen E, Caprio M, Joseph G. Educating low-SES and LEP survivors about breast cancer research: pilot test of the Health Research Engagement Intervention. Volume 29 of Issue 4. 2014. PMID: 24744119


  54. Sahra Gibbon, Galen Joseph, Jessica Mozersky, Andrea zur Nieden, Sonja Palfner, Editors. Breast Cancer Gene Research and Medical Practices: Transnational Perspectives in the Time of BRCA 2014. PMID:


  56. Hitch K, Joseph G, Guiltinan J, Kianmahd J, Youngblom J, Blanco A. Lynch syndrome patients' views of and preferences for return of results following whole exome sequencing. Volume 23 of Issue 4. 2014. PMID: 24449059


  57. Joseph G, Nguyen K, Nguyen T, Stewart S, Davis S, Kevany S, Marquez T, Pasick R. Efficient identification of low-income Asian American women at high risk for hepatitis B. Volume 24 of Issue 4. 2013. PMID: 24185165


  58. Beattie MS, Copeland K, Fehniger J, Cheung E, Joseph G, Lee R, Luce J. Genetic counseling, cancer screening, breast cancer characteristics, and general health among a diverse population of BRCA genetic testers. Volume 24 of Issue 3. 2013. PMID: 23974388


  59. Beattie MS, Kopeland C, Fehniger J, Joseph G, Cheung E, Lee R, Luce J. .. Journal of Healthcare for the Poor and Underserved
    August 2013     2013. PMID:


  60. Fehniger J, Lin F, Beattie MS, Joseph G, Kaplan C. Family communication of BRCA1/2 results and family uptake of BRCA1/2 testing in a diverse population of BRCA1/2 carriers. Volume 22 of Issue 5. 2013. PMID: 23666114


  61. Joseph G, Dohan D. Recruitment practices and the politics of inclusion in cancer clinical trials. Volume 26 of Issue 3. 2012. PMID: 23259347


  62. Joseph G, Kaplan C, Luce J, Lee R, Stewart S, Guerra C, Pasick R. Public Health Genomics 2012. PMID:


  64. Sahra Gibbon, Galen Joseph, Ute Kalender, Eirini Kampriani, Jessica Mozersky, Andrea zur Nieden, Sonja Palfner. Special section: Perspectives on globalising genomics: The case of ‘BRCA’ breast cancer research and medical practice. 2010. PMID:


  65. Joseph G, Beattie MS, Lee R, Braithwaite D, Wilcox C, Metrikin M, Lamvik K, Luce J. Pre-counseling education for low literacy women at risk of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC): patient experiences using the Cancer Risk Education Intervention Tool (CREdIT). Volume 19 of Issue 5. 2010. PMID: 20490636


  66. Gibbon S, Joseph G, Kalender U, Kampriani E, Mozersky J, Nieden AZ and Palfner S.. BioSocieties 2010. PMID:


  67. Mozersky J and Joseph G. BioSocieties 2010. PMID:


  68. Washington PK, Burke NJ, Joseph G, Guerra C, Pasick RJ. Adult daughters' influence on mothers' health-related decision making: an expansion of the subjective norms construct. Volume 36 of Issue 5 Suppl. 2009. PMID: 19805795


  69. Rena J. Pasick, Nancy J. Burke, Galen Joseph. Behavioral Theory and Culture Special Issue: Authors’ Response to Commentaries. 2009. PMID:


  70. Pasick RJ, Burke NJ, Barker JC, Joseph G, Bird JA, Otero-Sabogal R, Tuason N, Stewart SL, Rakowski W, Clark MA, Washington PK, Guerra C. Behavioral theory in a diverse society: like a compass on Mars. Volume 36 of Issue 5 Suppl. 2009. PMID: 19805789


  71. Pasick RJ, Barker JC, Otero-Sabogal R, Burke NJ, Joseph G, Guerra C. Intention, subjective norms, and cancer screening in the context of relational culture. Volume 36 of Issue 5 Suppl. 2009. PMID: 19805793


  72. Joseph G, Burke NJ, Tuason N, Barker JC, Pasick RJ. Perceived susceptibility to illness and perceived benefits of preventive care: an exploration of behavioral theory constructs in a transcultural context. Volume 36 of Issue 5 Suppl. 2009. PMID: 19805792


  73. Burke NJ, Joseph G, Pasick RJ, Barker JC. Theorizing social context: rethinking behavioral theory. Volume 36 of Issue 5 Suppl. 2009. PMID: 19805791


  76. Joseph G, Kaplan CP, Pasick RJ. Recruiting low-income healthy women to research: an exploratory study. Volume 12 of Issue 5. 2007. PMID: 17978946