Background

Dr. Jian Zhao received her PhD training at the University of Pittsburgh and completed her postdoctoral training at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Research

Dr. Zhao's research focuses on cancer pain and symptom management, with an emphasis on understanding the transition from acute to chronic pain and improving access to evidence-based supportive care. She uses patient-reported outcomes, ecological momentary assessment, and digital behavioral interventions to develop personalized and scalable approaches to cancer care. 

Research Studies (selected)

The Relationships Among Personality, Mood, and Pain in Daily Symptom Data Collected During 4–6 Cycles of Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer. Margaret E. Wilkes Scholarship Fund, University of Pittsburgh. 2020–2021. Principal Investigator.

Exploring the Influence of Anxiety in the Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain After Hysterectomy Among Patients With Gynecologic Cancer. Newmeyer-Thompson Doctoral Student Fund, University of Pittsburgh. 2021–2023. Principal Investigator.

Biomarker Profiling and Real-Time Psychological Dynamics of Pain: A Biopsychosocial Mixed-Methods Study in Patients With Gynecologic Cancer. Oncology Nursing Foundation RE03 General Topic Research Grant. 2025–2027. Principal Investigator.

Healing Gardens: Leveraging Serious Games to Deliver Accessible Pain-CBT and Pharmacologic Support for Patients With Advanced Cancer Managing Pain. National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (R34CA308746). 2026–2029. Co-Investigator (PI: Desriee Azizoddin Hilton).