Dara L. James, PhD, MS

Education

• PhD., Nursing and Healthcare Innovation, Arizona State University, 2019
• MS, Exercise and Wellness, Arizona State University, 2013
• BS, Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Maine, 2010

Specialized Training

• Health Disparities Research Education Program (HDREP) Scholar, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2022-2023
• Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Fellow, National Cancer Institute and Yale University, 2022
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation Arizona State University, 2020-2022

Research Interests

• Obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases
• Cancer survivorship and recurrence
• Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
• Non-pharmacological modifiable lifestyle interventions
• Intermittent fasting, chrononutrition and circadian rhythm
• Physical activity, stress management and wellness
• Racial and health disparities across behavioral interventions
• Transdisciplinary biobehavioral research and disease outcomes

Selected Publications

• Kalam, F., James, D.L, Li, Y.R., Coleman, M.F., Kiesel, V.A., Cespedes, E.M., Husrting, S.D., Sears, D.D. & Kleckner, A.S. Intermittent Fasting Interventions to Leverage Metabolic and Circadian Mechanisms for Cancer Treatment and Supportive Care Outcomes. In press: Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
• Kung C-P, Skiba MB, Crosby EJ, Gorzelitz J, Kennedy MA, Kerr BA, Li YR, Nash S, Potiaumpai M, Kleckner AS, James DL, Coleman MF, Fairman CM, Galván GC, Garcia DO, Gordon MJ, His M, Hornbuckle LM, Kim S-Y,  Kim T-H, Kumar A, Mahé M, McDonnell KK, Moore J, Oh S, Sun X, Irwin ML. Key Takeaways for knowledge expansion of early career scientists conducting transdisciplinary research in energetics and cancer (TREC): A Report from the TREC Training Workshop 2022. Journal of National Cancer Institute Monographs.
• Larkey, L.K., James, TT., Han, S., & James, D.L.C (2023). Pilot Study of Qigong/Tai Chi Easy acute effects of meditative movement, breath focus and “flow” on blood pressure, mood and oxytocin in older adults.     Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 72, DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102918
• Chesak, S.S., Dose, A.M., Mandrekar, J., Cutshall, S., Feuhrer, D., James, D., & Sood, A. Outcomes of a Stress Management and Resilience Training (SMART) Intervention for Family Caregivers of Individuals with Advanced Cancer. (In press: Oncology Nursing Forum).
• Rameshkumar, R., Larkey, L,K., Alperin, K., Martin, D., Primus, A. & James, D. Effects of Qigong and Tai Chi Easy on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors. Contemporary Clinical Trials.
• James, D., Larkey, L.K., Evans, B., Sebren, A., Goldsmith, K., & Smith, L. (2021.) Pilot Study of a Tai Chi/Qigong Intervention on Body Composition, Sleep Quality, and Emotional Eating in Midlife/Older Women. Journal of Women and Aging.
• Kim, S., Shin, C.-N., James, D., & Larkey, L.K. (2021). Supportive care needs of cancer patients: perspectives of patients and healthcare providers. Clinical Nursing Research.
• Green, J., James, D., Larkey, L., Leiferman, J., Buman, M., & Huberty, J. (2021). A qualitative investigation of a prenatal yoga intervention to prevent excessive gestational weight gain: A thematic analysis of interviews with pregnant women. Contemporary Therapies in Clinical Practice.
• James, D. and Komnenich, P. (2021). Dilthey’s philosophy and methodology of hermeneutics: An approach to the science of nursing. Nursing Philosophy.

Ongoing Research Support

• Feasibility Study of an Intermittent Fasting Intervention to Reduce Obesity and Develop a Racially-Optimized Protocol among African Americans in the Deep South Region of the United States. Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Deep South Mentored Career Development Program, KL2; Funded: 2023; Role: PI
• Prolonged Nightly Fasting in Individuals with Fibromyalgia. Arizona State University; Funded: 2022; Role: Co-PI
• Feasibility Study of a Novel mHealth Intervention to Build Resilience and Reduce Burden for Family Caregivers of AD Patients. Arizona State University; Funded: 2021; Role: Co-PI
• Weight Reduction and Cognitive Health: A Pilot Study Testing a Remotely Delivered, Prolonged Nightly Fasting Intervention Among Obese Mid-Life Adults. Arizona State University; Funded: 2021: Role: PI
• Prolonged Nightly Fasting in Older Adults with Memory Decline: A Pilot Study Exploring Changes in Neurocognitive Function. Arizona State University; Funded: 2020; Role: PI

Selected Presentations

• James, D., Vizcaino, M., & Sears, D.D. (2022). Circadian Rhythms in Health and Disease. ASU College of Health Solutions Research Day.
• James, D., Larkey, L., & Han, S. (2021). Older Breast Cancer Survivors’ Cognitive Response to Qigong/Tai Chi Easy: An Exploratory Analysis. Gerontological Society of America.
• Ofori, E., & James, D. (2021). Moderators of Dual Task Gait Effects in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. Gerontological Society of America.
• James, D., Larkey, L., Evans, B., Sebren, A., & Goldsmith, K. (2021). Psycho-Emotional Predictors of Body Composition in Midlife Women in a Tai Chi Easy Intervention. Gerontological Society of America.
• James, D., & Larkey, L. (2020). Designing Your Professional Path: Advice for New PhD and DNP Students Western Institute of Nursing.
• James, D., & Larkey, L.K. (2019). Meditative movement, heart rate variability and interoception
• to improve body composition among breast cancer survivors: An exploratory analysis. International Congress on Integrative Health and Medicine.
• Larkey, L.K., Kim, S., & James, D. (2018). Heart Rate Variability Patterns Related to Psychosocial Interventions’ Success with Cancer Recovery: Implications for Research and Practice: An Experiential Workshop. Society for Integrative Oncology.

Affiliations/ Professional Organizations

• The Obesity Society
• Gerontological Society of America
• Society of Behavioral Medicine
• Generations Faculty Fellow, Center for Generational Studies, USA
• Cancer Prevention and Control Translational Team, ASU
• National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity

Awards

• Scientific Excellence Award, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, 2022
• National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging, Loan Repayment Program, 2021-2023
• Carol A. Schutz Award, Emerging Scholar & Professional Organization, Gerontological Society of America, 2020, 2021
• Grace A. Fuite Fellowship, Arizona State University, 2019
• Young Investigator’s Award, International Congress on Integrative Health and Medicine, 2018
• Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing, Geriatric Nursing, 2017

Editorial Review Board

• Translational Behavioral Medicine (2022-ongoing)
• Clinical Research and Analytic Reviews (2021-ongoing)
• Geriatric Nursing (2020-ongoing)