MYA L. ROBERSON, MSPH, PHD

Conducting patient-engaged cancer care delivery research to improve cancer outcomes for all.

ABOUT ME

Hi I'm Mya Roberson, I am an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. In 2021, I completed my PhD in Epidemiology at UNC Gillings where I was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholar and a Truman Scholar (PA 2015). My research interests are in applying epidemiologic methods and patient engagement to health services research to improve cancer outcomes for all.

I have experience working in qualitative research, cancer registries, claims data, national healthcare databases and EHR along with expertise in health disparities, health equity and social epidemiology theory.

EDUCATION

September 2016 - August 2021

PHD IN EPIDEMIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

Dissertation Title: Evaluating Geographic Variation in Breast Cancer Surgical Outcomes Among Black Women in the US South

September 2016- May 2018

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH IN EPIDEMIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

Thesis Title: Premenopausal Gynecologic Surgery and Survival among Black and White Women with Breast Cancer

September 2012- May 2016

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH WITH HONORS, BROWN UNIVERSITY

Thesis Title:
Understanding the Role of Patient-Provider Communication in Breast CancerScreening for Black Women in Birmingham, Alabama

SELECTED PEER REVIEWED RESEARCH ARTICLES

Google Scholar Page

1. Beumer A, Carlson M, Arcuri AL, Maues J, Cowden J, Walker S, Shanahan K, Collins JL, Veach AJ, Rugo HS, Burkard ME, Kalinsky KM, Bardia A, Lustberg MB, Papautsky EL, Roberson ML. A Patient-Led Survey of Antibody Drug Conjugate Usage and Dosing for People Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer. J Patient Exp. 2026;13:23743735261457837. doi: 10.1177/23743735261457837. eCollection 2026. PubMed PMID: 42227000; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC13222401.

2. Roberson ML, Strassle PD, Fashehun L, Erim DO, Deune GE, Ogunleye AA. (2021). Financial Burden of Lymphedema Hospitalizations in the United States. JAMA Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.7891

3. Taffe BD, Beumer A, Glenn L, Lustberg MB, Roberson ML. Evaluating A Patient-Led Health Literacy Program for People Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer. Cancer Control. 2026 Jan-Dec;33:10732748261465064. doi: 10.1177/10732748261465064. Epub 2026 Jul 2. PubMed PMID: 42389868; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC13329005.

4. Roberson ML, Reid S, Brown JA, Weidner A, Venton L, Metcalfe K, Pal T. Timing of BRCA Genetic Testing and Surgical Decision-Making Among Young Black Women With Breast Cancer. Cancer Control. 2025 Jan-Dec;32:10732748251407739. doi: 10.1177/10732748251407739. Epub 2025 Dec 8. PubMed PMID: 41360000; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC12686358.

5. Roberson ML, Henricks A, Woods J, Glenn L, Maues J, James D, Reid S. Re-imagining metastatic breast cancer care delivery: a patient-partnered qualitative study. Support Care Cancer. 2023 Nov 30;31(12):735. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-08201-8. PubMed PMID: 38055111; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10700428.

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ESSAYS AND COMMENTARIES

Finding Myself in Research, New York Times

What Money Cannot Buy: Addressing the Socioeconomic Status Ceiling Effect for Black Patients Across Cancer Types, Journal of Clinical Oncology

The Intersection of Structural Racism and Health Services Research in Characterizing the Epidemiology of Uterine Fibroids, JAMA Network Open

SELECTED MEDIA APPEARANCES OR RESEARCH MENTIONS

AWARDS AND HONORS

2019 Aspen Ideas Scholar
2019 American Society for Preventive Oncology New Investigators Workshop Participant
2018 University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health Epidemiology Department H. Michael and Barbara Arrighi Endowed Scholarship
2018 University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Lineberger Cancer Center Cancer Outcomes Research Program Travel Award
2018 AcademyHealth Diversity Network Scholar
2018 AcademyHealth Health Disparities Student Essay Contest Winner
2018 Passed Master’s Comprehensive Exam with Honors
2017 American Association for Cancer Research Scholar-in-Training Travel Award
2016 University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health Alumni Association Spirit of Giving Scholarship
2016 University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health Miriam L. Cole Scholarship
2016 University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health Class of 1958 and the Sandra Winn Green Scholarship
2015 Ruth and William Silen, M.D, 2nd place poster prize in Public Health, Epidemiology or Biostatistics Harvard Medical School
2015 American Association for Cancer Research Thomas J. Bardos Science Education Award

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