Karen Kane McDonnell is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Cancer Survivorship Research Center at the University of South Carolina College of Nursing. As an experienced oncology clinical nurse specialist and clinical researcher Dr. McDonnell’s primary areas of impact are community engagement and developing and testing culturally sensitive interventions targeting diverse populations, especially African American individuals at high-risk or with an actual diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer. Dr. McDonnell’s engagement model has shown improved recruitment and retention strategies for providers, patients and their partners. Dr. McDonnell’s multifaceted intervention studies have tested a) brief shared decision-making aids and a professional tool kit related to lung cancer screening among patients and their primary care providers in clinic settings, and b) dyadic approaches to lifestyle behavior change for long-term survivors in their homes. Dr. McDonnell’s research has demonstrated improved methods to respond to key stakeholders, while enhancing accessibility and adoption thereby reducing barriers and burdens, with sustainable impact. Dr. McDonnell earned her BSN from Cornell University - New York Hospital School of Nursing, MSN from Yale University School of Nursing, and PhD degree from the University of Virginia School of Nursing.