Overview
Dr. Hammer’s program of research is dedicated to precision health symptom science, stemming from early investigations that identified associations between glycemic status and immune function in patients with cancer. Current and ongoing studies that have been federally, regionally, and institutionally funded include understanding associations between the exposome (i.e., life exposures/experiences; factors) and underlying omics/biologic mechanisms that place patients with cancer and/or other chronic conditions at greatest risk for adverse events and a worse symptom burden. Long-term goals include developing symptom screening tools and identifying targets for tailored interventions.
In addition, Dr. Hammer is the Director of the Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, New York Academy of Medicine, and Royal Society of Medicine. Prior to her current roles,
Dr. Hammer served as the Director of Research and Evidence Based Practice at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC and a faculty member at the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She obtained her graduate degrees from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA.
Area of Expertise
Precision health symptom science research, oncology, research (methodologies, observational & interventional studies), leadership, mentorship
Selected Publications
Hammer MJ, Conley YP, Henderson WA, Lukkahatai N, Miaskowski C, Starkweather A, Wesmiller SW. Breaking the code: Using the Precision Health Model to guide research and clinical care. Nurs Outlook. 2025 Apr 21;73(3):102396. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2025.102396. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40262402.
Miaskowski C, Colomer-Lahiguera S, Conley YP, Dorsey S, Hammer MJ, Harris C, Ng MSN, Pelter M, Redeker N, Wesmiller S. State of the “Art” in Precision Health Symptom Science Research. Semin Oncol Nurs. 2025 May 30:151906. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2025.151906. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40450439.
Colomer-Lahiguera S, Pozzar RA, Harris CS, Brant JM, Conley YP, Cooley ME, Eicher M, Hinds PS, Howell D, Mitchell SA, Ribi K, Rosenzweig MQ, Wesmiller SW, Miaskowski C, Hammer MJ (senior/corresponding author). Advancing Global Cancer Symptom Science: Insights and Strategies From the Inaugural Cancer Symptom Science Expert Meeting. Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd, Elsevier Inc, Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc., Canadian Association of Nursing Oncology and Oncology Nursing Society. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. Footnote in the article declaring the joint publication: This paper was jointly developed by European Journal of Oncology Nursing, Seminars in Oncology Nursing, Cancer Nursing, Nursing Research, Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, Oncology Nursing Forum and jointly published by Elsevier Limited, Elsevier Inc, Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc., Canadian Association of Nursing Oncology and Oncology Nursing Society. The articles are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling differences in keeping with each journal’s style. Either citation can be used when citing this article.
Hammer MJ, Cooper BA, Chen LM, Wright AA, Pozzar R, Blank SV, Cohen B, Dunn L, Paul S, Conley YP, Levine JD, Miaskowski C. Identification of distinct symptom profiles in patients with gynecologic cancers using a pre-specified symptom cluster. Support Care Cancer. 2023 Jul 22;31(8):485. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-07954-6. PMID: 37480403.
Hammer MJ, Cooper B, Paul SM, Kober KM, Cartwright F, Conley YP, Wright F, Levine JD, Miaskowski C. Identification of Distinct Symptom Profiles in Cancer Patients Using a Pre-Specified Symptom Cluster. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2022 Mar 25:S0885-3924(22)00474-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.03.007. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35339613.
