Dr. Steck's research focuses on the role of nutrition in cancer prevention and control using epidemiologic methods. In particular, she is interested in innovative methods for describing dietary patterns related to disease mechanisms, and identifying modifiable lifestyle factors and screening biomarkers to reduce cancer related health disparities in breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
Biographical Profile
College
Arnold School of Public Health
Department
Epidemiology & Biostatistics
Tenure Status
Tenured
International Activity
International Activities
No
Institutional Focus Areas
Health Disparities, Health Sciences
Extended Residence in Foreign Country
No
Speaks Non-English Language
No
Interest Background
Do you include students in your research?
Undergraduates and Graduates
Interest Keywords
Nutrition and cancer prevention, gene-diet interactions, nutritional biomarkers, intermediate markers of cancer risk, interventions/clinical trials
Institutional Focus Areas
Health Disparities, Health Sciences
Personal Focus Areas
Nutritional epidemiology, Cancer epidemiology, Public health
Professional Preparation(Education & Training)
Dates
Institution
Location
Degree
Field of Study
2000 - 2001
National Cancer Institute
Cancer Prevention Studies Branch, Center for Cance
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Cancer Epidemiology
1999 - 2000
University of North Carolina
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Cancer Control Education Program
1999
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
PhD
Nutrition
1997
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
MPH
Nutrition
1992
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
BS
Mathematics
Memberships & Professional Activities
Dates
Type
Description
Institution/Entity
2007
Professional Activity
Invited Speaker and Panelist
Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, National Cancer Institute
2007
Professional Activity
Moderator
North Carolina Research Campus Conference
Positions & Appointments
Dates
Description
Institution/Entity
1997 - 1999
Teaching Assistant
Nutrition Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
1997 - 1999
Graduate Research Assistant
Nutrition Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
1999 - 1999
Biologist/Summer Intern
Nutrition, Human Studies Division, Environmental Protection Agency
1999 - 2000
Postdoctoral Fellow
Cancer Epidemiology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC-Chapel Hill
2000 - 2001
Postdoctoral Fellow
Cancer Epidemiology, National Cancer Institute
2001 - 2005
Research Assistant Professor
Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition Department, UNC-Chapel Hill
2005 - 2005
Assistant Professor, tenure track
Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition Department, UNC-Chapel Hill
2005 - 2010
Research Assistant Professor
Epidemiology, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina
2010 - 2019
Associate Professor and Research Associate Professor
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Arnold School of Public Health, and Affiliated Scholar, Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities
2019 - Present
Professor
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of South Carolina
Recognition Awards, Honors, & Fellowships
Dates
Type
Description
Foundation/Entity
2009
Award
Cancer Prevention, Control, Behavioral and Population Sciences Career Development Award
NIH NCI K07
2018
Award
Distinguished Research Service Award
Office of the Vice President for Research, University of South Carolina
2018
Award
Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award
South Carolina Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Columbia-Midlands Dietetic Association
2019
Award
Excellence in the Practice of Dietetics Research
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
2022
Award
Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
University of South Carolina
2015
Fellowship
Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
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