Sylvia Crowder, PhD

Dr. Crowder’s independent program of research focuses on utilizing interdisciplinary, mixed-methods designs to investigate the complex relationships among dietary patterns, eating behaviors, nutritional status, and patient-centered survivorship outcomes such as quality of life and symptom burden in cancer survivors. Her goal is to develop new and beneficial dietary recommendations and medical nutrition therapies for cancer patients and survivors.

Associations

• Health Outcomes and Behavior
• Health Outcomes & Behavior Program

Education & Training

Graduate:

• University of Illinois, PhD - Nutrition

Fellowship:

• Moffitt Cancer Center - Health Outcomes and Behavior

Dr. Crowder’s independent program of research focuses on utilizing interdisciplinary, mixed-methods designs to investigate the complex relationships among dietary patterns, eating behaviors, nutritional status, and patient-centered survivorship outcomes such as quality of life and symptom burden in cancer survivors. Her goal is to develop new and beneficial dietary recommendations and medical nutrition therapies for cancer patients and survivors.

Clinical Trial 23571
The MIND-BC Study: MIND Diet for Breast Cancer Cognition
Condition: Breast
Status: Open

Clinical Trial 23670
Culinary Medicine at Moffitt: Creating a Recipe for Nutrition
Condition: Healthy Subjects
Status: Open

If you believe you are eligible for one of these trials or studies, please call
813-745-6100 or toll-free 1-800-679-0775.

• Davis EW, Park MA, Basinski TL, Arnoletti JP, Bloomston M, Carson TL, Biachi De Castria T, Chen DT, Cortizas EM, Crowder SL, Genilo-Delgado M, Douglas WG, Huguet KL, Jiang K, Hodul PJ, Karolak A, Kim DW, Koomen JM, Menon AA, Mo Q, Mok SR, Molina-Vega MA, Moreno-Urazan L, Ahmed S, Parker NH, Pimiento JM, Rasool G, Sparks LM, Stewart PA, Tassielli AF, Teer JK, Trevino JG, Velanovich V, Wang X, Whelan CJ, Judge SM, Judge AR, Fleming JB, Malafa MP, Jeong D, Permuth JB. The Impact of Edema on Skeletal Muscle Changes among Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2025 Sep.34(9):1609-1617. Pubmedid: 40553455.
• Kazemian E, Mo Q, Matejcic M, Tsai YY, Sobieski D, Li X, Hoogland AI, Crowder SL, Gonzalez BD, Oswald LB, Sleight AG, Nguyen N, Loroña NC, Damerell V, Komrokji KR, Mooney K, Playdon MC, Ulrich CM, Li CI, Shibata D, Toriola AT, Ose J, Peoples AR, Hardikar S, Kahlert C, Siegel EM, Bower JE, Schmit SL, Gigic B, Jim HSL, Figueiredo JC. Genetic predisposition to persistent fatigue after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2025 Sep. Pubmedid: 40889272.
• Crowder SL, Hu B, Hoogland AI, Gudenkauf LM, Li X, Rodriguez Y, Irizarry-Arroyo NE, Oswald LB, Gonzalez BD, Small BJ, Galligan A, Jim HSL, Stern M. Diet and physical activity intervention preferences for young adult cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv. 2025 May. Pubmedid: 40447925.
• Park MA, Whelan CJ, Ahmed S, Boeringer T, Brown J, Carson TL, Crowder SL, Gage K, Gregg C, Jeong DK, Jim HSL, Judge AR, Mason TM, Parker N, Pillai S, Qayyum A, Rajasekhara S, Rasool G, Tinsley SM, Schabath MB, Stewart P, West J, McDonald P, Permuth JB. Correction: Park et al. Defining and Addressing Research Priorities in Cancer Cachexia through Transdisciplinary Collaboration. Cancers 2024, 16, 2364. Cancers (Basel). 2025 Mar.17(6). Pubmedid: 40149388. Pmcid: PMC11941415.
• Chen X, Beilman B, Gibbs HD, Hamilton JL, Parker N, Bur AM, Caudell JJ, Gan GN, Hamilton-Reeves JM, Jim HSL, Kirtane K, Lominska C, Crowder SL, Arthur AE. Nutrition in head and neck cancer care: a roadmap and call for research. Lancet Oncol. 2025 Jun.26(6):e300-e310. Pubmedid: 40449504.
• Chen X, Chiu C, Cheung HHT, Crowder SL, Chen X, Trinh L, Arthur AE. Breast Cancer Survivors' Diet and Physical Activity Preferences and Barriers: How COVID-19 Changed the Intervention Landscape. Curr Dev Nutr. 2025 Jan.9(1):104519. Pubmedid: 39840373. Pmcid: PMC11750260.
• Crowder SL, Gudenkauf LM, Hoogland AI, Han HS, Small BJ, Carson TL, Parker NH, Booth-Jones M, Jim HSL. Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment and the Potential of Dietary Interventions for the Prevention and Mitigation of Neurodegeneration. Cancer Res. 2025 Jan.85(2):203-217. Pubmedid: 39570793.
• Permuth J, Park M, Davis E, Alhassan S, Arnoletti J, Basinski T, McKee A, Bloomston M, Carson T, de Castria TB, Chen DT, Cortizas E, Crowder S, Delgado MG, Douglas W, Fleming J, Hodul P, Huguet K, Jiang K, Kim DW, Koomen J, Luthra A, Malafa M, Menon A, Morales R, Merchant N, Meredith K, Mo Q, Molina-Vega M, Moreno-Urazan L, Olumoyin K, Parker N, Pimiento J, Rasool G, Rejniak K, Sansil S, Sparks L, Stewart P, Tassielli A, Teer J, Tran DV, Trevino J, Velanovich V, Whelan C, Jeong D, Judge S, Judge A. Race-based differences in serum biomarkers for cancer-associated cachexia in a diverse cohort of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Res Sq. 2025 Feb. Pubmedid: 39989973. Pmcid: PMC11844656.
• Smith KS, Gudenkauf LM, Hoogland AI, Li X, Hoobler R, Playdon MC, Gigic B, Small BJ, Gonzalez BD, Oswald LB, Byrd DA, Greathouse KL, Ulrich CM, Li CI, Shibata D, Toriola AT, Peoples AR, Siegel EM, Figueiredo JC, Jim HSL, Crowder SL. Associations Between Dietary Patterns and Quality of Life in a Longitudinal Cohort of Colorectal Cancer Survivors. Nutrients. 2024 Nov.16(22). Pubmedid: 39599646. Pmcid: PMC11597155.
• Park MA, Whelan CJ, Ahmed S, Boeringer T, Brown J, Crowder SL, Gage K, Gregg C, Jeong DK, Jim HSL, Judge AR, Mason TM, Parker N, Pillai S, Qayyum A, Rajasekhara S, Rasool G, Tinsley SM, Schabath MB, Stewart P, West J, McDonald P, Permuth JB. Defining and Addressing Research Priorities in Cancer Cachexia through Transdisciplinary Collaboration. Cancers (Basel). 2024 Jun.16(13). Pubmedid: 39001427. Pmcid: PMC11240731.
• Permuth JB, Park MA, Chen DT, Basinski T, Powers BD, Gwede CK, Dezsi KB, Gomez M, Vyas SL, Biachi T, Cortizas EM, Crowder S, Genilo-Delgado M, Green BL, Greene A, Gregg C, Hoffe SE, Jiang K, Kim B, Vasudevan V, Garcialopez De Llano J, Menon AA, Mo Q, MorenoUrazan LM, Mok S, Parker N, Rajasekhara S, Rasool G, Sinnamon A, Sparks L, Stewart PA, Tardif K, Tassielli AF, Teer JK, Tran DV, Turner KL, Vadaparampil ST, Whelan CJ, Douglas WG, Velanovich V, Karachristos A, Legaspi A, Meredith K, Molina-Vega MA, Huguet KL, Arnoletti JP, Bloomston M, Trevino J, Merchant NB, Pimiento JM, Hodul PJ, Malafa M, Fleming J, Judge SM, Jeong DK, Judge A. Leveraging real-world data to predict cancer cachexia stage, quality of life, and survival in a racially and ethnically diverse multi-institutional cohort of treatment-naïve patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol. 2024 Jul.14:1362244. Pubmedid: 39109281. Pmcid: PMC11300308.
• Crowder SL, Li X, Himbert C, Viskochil R, Hoogland AI, Gudenkauf LM, Oswald LB, Gonzalez BD, Small BJ, Ulrich CM, Ose J, Peoples AR, Li CI, Shibata D, Toriola AT, Gigic B, Playdon MC, Hardikar S, Bower J, Siegel EM, Figueiredo JC, Jim HSL. Relationships Among Physical Activity, Sleep, and Cancer-related Fatigue: Results From the International ColoCare Study. Ann Behav Med. 2024 Feb.58(3):156-166. Pubmedid: 38141201. Pmcid: PMC10858307.
• Smith KS, Hoogland AI, Welniak T, Nguyen OL, Rodriguez Y, Li X, Crowder SL, Oswald LB, Carpenter KM, Fischer SM, Li D, Kinney AY, Berry DL, Gonzalez BD, Jim HSL. Acute cancer-related symptoms and concerns among patients receiving chemotherapy: current state of the science. Support Care Cancer. 2024 Feb.32(3):184. Pubmedid: 38393418.
• Hoogland AI, Barata A, Li X, Irizarry-Arroyo N, Jain MD, Welniak T, Rodriguez Y, Oswald LB, Gudenkauf LM, Chavez JC, Khimani F, Lazaryan A, Liu HD, Nishihori T, Pinilla-Ibarz J, Shah BD, Crowder SL, Parker NH, Carson TL, Vinci CE, Pidala JA, Logue J, Locke FL, Jim HSL. Prospective Assessment of Quality of Life and Patient-Reported Toxicities Over the First Year After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy. Transplant Cell Ther. 2024 Dec.30(12):1219.e1-1219.e11. Pubmedid: 39306278. Pmcid: PMC11635818.
• Sauls R, Crowder SL, James C, Khimani F, Stern M. Quality of life in the digital age: young adult hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients and healthcare providers' views of telehealth. Support Care Cancer. 2024 Apr.32(4):270. Pubmedid: 38578444.
• Li X, Hoogland AI, Small BJ, Crowder SL, Gonzalez BD, Oswald LB, Sleight AG, Nguyen N, Lorona NC, Damerell V, Komrokji KR, Mooney K, Playdon MC, Ulrich CM, Li CI, Shibata D, Toriola AT, Ose J, Peoples AR, Siegel EM, Bower JE, Schneider M, Gigic B, Figueiredo JC, Jim HSL. Trajectories and risk factors of fatigue following colorectal cancer diagnosis. Colorectal Dis. 2023 Oct.25(10):2054-2063. Pubmedid: 37700526.
• Frugé AD, Smith KS, Crowder SL, Demark-Wahnefried W. Letter to the Editor Re: Influence of Food With Different Fat Concentrations on Alectinib Exposure: A Randomized Crossover Pharmacokinetic Trial. J Natl Compr Canc Ne. 2023 Oct.21(10):xxiii.a-xxxiv.a. Pubmedid: 37879366.
• Crowder SL, Foster RH, Buro AW, Dillon R, Godder K, Stern M. Mediators of Social Acceptance Among Emerging Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2023 Oct.12(5):644-652. Pubmedid: 36795980. Pmcid: PMC10611963.
• Crowder SL, Jim HSL, Hogue S, Carson TL, Byrd DA. Gut microbiome and cancer implications: Potential opportunities for fermented foods. BBA. Reviews on cancer. 2023 May.1878(3):188897. Pubmedid: 37086870.
• Turner K, Stover AM, Tometich DB, Geiss C, Mason A, Nguyen OT, Hume E, McCormick R, Powell S, Hallanger-Johnson J, Patel KB, Kirtane KS, Jammigumpula N, Moore C, Perkins R, Rollison DE, Jim HSL, Oswald LB, Crowder S, Gonzalez BD, Robinson E, Tabriz AA, Islam JY, Gilbert SM. Oncology Providers' and Professionals' Experiences With Suicide Risk Screening Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Qualitative Study. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 Jun.19(6):e892-e903. Pubmedid: 36395441. Pmcid: PMC10337750.
• Crowder SL, Sauls R, Gudenkauf LM, James C, Skinner A, Reed DR, Stern M. The Lived Experience of Young Adult Cancer Survivors after Treatment: A Qualitative Study. Nutrients. 2023 Jul.15(14). Pubmedid: 37513563. Pmcid: PMC10385438.
• Crowder SL, Buro AW, Lacson JCA, Del Rio J, Kim Y, Roetzheim RG, Sutton SK, Vadaparampil ST, Soto-Torres B, Stern M, Kanetsky PA. Qualitative assessment of uptake retention and evaluation of prevention materials for skin cancer among Hispanics. Patient Educ Couns. 2023 Jul.112:107742. Pubmedid: 37028174. Pmcid: PMC10164708.
• Buro AW, Crowder SL, Rozen E, Stern M, Carson TL. Lifestyle Interventions with Mind-Body or Stress-Management Practices for Cancer Survivors: A Rapid Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb.20(4). Pubmedid: 36834048. Pmcid: PMC9964062.
• Buro AW, Gray HL, Ruble K, Soca Lozano S, Sauls R, Albizu-Jacob A, Crowder SL, Mazzeo SE, Stern M. Challenges and adaptations for a cluster-randomized control trial targeting parents of pediatric cancer survivors with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transl Behav Med. 2023 Feb.13(2):98-103. Pubmedid: 36327379. Pmcid: PMC9972348.
• Sauls R, Buro AW, Montgomery L, Stern M, Khimani F, Crowder SL. Nutritional status and body mass index before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and associated outcomes: a rapid review. Support Care Cancer. 2023 Dec.32(1):50. Pubmedid: 38129689.
• Pettit MS, Crowder SL, Ackerman RS, Hafez O, Poch MA, Patel SY. Preoperative Nutritional Status and Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) Prior to Radical Cystectomy: A Review of the Literature. Nutr Cancer. 2023 Aug.75(9):1743-1751. Pubmedid: 37553951.
• Crowder SL, Hoogland AI, Small BJ, Carpenter KM, Fischer SM, Li D, Kinney AY, Welniak TL, Brownstein N, Reich RR, Hembree T, Extermann M, Kim R, Afiat TP, Berry DL, Turner K, Jim HSL. Associations among frailty and quality of life in older patients with cancer treated with chemotherapy. Geriatr Oncol. 2022 Nov.13(8):1149-1155. Pubmedid: 36008271. Pmcid: PMC9871794.
• Crowder SL, Sauls R, Redwine L, Nieder M, Albanyan O, Yasin H, Khimani F, Stern M. Mindfulness in Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT): A Qualitative Study. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Jun.14(11). Pubmedid: 35681740. Pmcid: PMC9179916.
• Crowder SL, Buro AW, Stern M. Physical activity interventions in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer. 2022 Jun.30(6):4635-4649. Pubmedid: 35064822. Pmcid: PMC9175508.
• Crowder SL, Hoogland AI, Welniak TL, LaFranchise EA, Carpenter KM, Li D, Rotroff DM, Mariam A, Pierce CM, Fischer SM, Kinney AY, Dong-Binh Tran T, Rastegari F, Berry DL, Extermann M, Kim RD, Tometich DB, Figueiredo JC, Muzaffar J, Bari S, Turner K, Weinstock GM, Jim HSL. Metagenomics and chemotherapy-induced nausea: A roadmap for future research. Cancer. 2022 Feb.128(3):461-470. Pubmedid: 34643945. Pmcid: PMC8776572.
• Argirion I, Arthur AE, Zarins KR, Bellile E, Crowder SL, Amlani L, Taylor JM, Wolf GT, McHugh J, Nguyen A, Mondul AM, Rozek LS. Pretreatment Dietary Patterns, Serum Carotenoids and Tocopherols Influence Tumor Immune Response in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Nutr Cancer. 2022 Feb.73(11-12):2614-2626. Pubmedid: 33307825. Pmcid: PMC9675403.
• Crowder SL, Welniak TL, Hoogland AI, Small BJ, Rodriguez Y, Carpenter KM, Fischer SM, Li D, Kinney AY, Rotroff D, Mariam A, Brownstein N, Reich RR, Hembree T, Playdon MC, Arthur AE, Vieytes CA, Li Z, Extermann M, Kim R, Berry DL, Jim HSL. Diet quality indices and changes in cognition during chemotherapy. Support Care Cancer. 2022 Dec.31(1):75. Pubmedid: 36544032. Pmcid: PMC10127432.
• Crowder SL, Buro AW, Lacson JCA, Kim Y, Sutton SK, Roetzheim RG, Vadaparampil ST, Stern M, Kanetsky PA. Retention and Evaluation of Precision and Generic Prevention Materials for Melanoma: A Qualitative Study Comparing Young Adults and Adults. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2022 Aug.15(8):533-542. Pubmedid: 35665800. Pmcid: PMC9357111.
• Crowder SL, Playdon MC, Gudenkauf LM, Ose J, Gigic B, Greathouse L, Peoples AR, Sleight AG, Jim HSL, Figueiredo JC. A Molecular Approach to Understanding the Role of Diet in Cancer-Related Fatigue: Challenges and Future Opportunities. Nutrients. 2022 Apr.14(7). Pubmedid: 35406105. Pmcid: PMC9003400.
• Sleight AG, Crowder SL, Skarbinski J, Coen P, Parker NH, Hoogland AI, Gonzalez BD, Playdon MC, Cole S, Ose J, Murayama Y, Siegel EM, Figueiredo JC, Jim HSL. A New Approach to Understanding Cancer-Related Fatigue: Leveraging the 3P Model to Facilitate Risk Prediction and Clinical Care. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Apr.14(8). Pubmedid: 35454890. Pmcid: PMC9027717.
• Rodriguez C, Crowder SL, Rodriguez M, Redwine L, Stern M. Food Insecurity and the Hispanic Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Ecol Food Nutr. 2021 Sep.60(5):548-563. Pubmedid: 34617866. Pmcid: PMC9614706.
• Crowder SL, Beckie T, Stern M. A Review of Food Insecurity and Chronic Cardiovascular Disease: Implications during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Ecol Food Nutr. 2021 Sep.60(5):596-611. Pubmedid: 34617867. Pmcid: PMC9632247.
• Maino Vieytes CA, Mondul AM, Crowder SL, Zarins KR, Edwards CG, Davis EC, Wolf GT, Rozek LS, Arthur AE, On Behalf Of The University Of Michigan Head And Neck Spore Program. Pretreatment Adherence to a Priori-Defined Dietary Patterns Is Associated with Decreased Nutrition Impact Symptom Burden in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors. Nutrients. 2021 Sep.13(9). Pubmedid: 34579024. Pmcid: PMC8464702.
• Alfaro R, Crowder S, Sarma KP, Arthur AE, Pepino MY. Taste and Smell Function in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors. Chem Senses. 2021 Jan.46. Pubmedid: 34050750. Pmcid: PMC8349111.
• Crowder SL, Najam N, Sarma KP, Fiese BH, Arthur AE. Quality of life, coping strategies, and supportive care needs in head and neck cancer survivors: a qualitative study. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Aug.29(8):4349-4356. Pubmedid: 33415365. Pmcid: PMC9186018.
• Crowder SL, Li Z, Sarma KP, Arthur AE. Chronic Nutrition Impact Symptoms Are Associated with Decreased Functional Status, Quality of Life, and Diet Quality in a Pilot Study of Long-Term Post-Radiation Head and Neck Cancer Survivors. Nutrients. 2021 Aug.13(8). Pubmedid: 34445046. Pmcid: PMC8401587.
• Moody L, Crowder SL, Fruge AD, Locher JL, Demark-Wahnefried W, Rogers LQ, Delk-Licata A, Carroll WR, Spencer SA, Black M, Erdman JW, Chen H, Pan YX, Arthur AE. Epigenetic stratification of head and neck cancer survivors reveals differences in lycopene levels, alcohol consumption, and methylation of immune regulatory genes. Clin Epigenetics. 2020 Sep.12(1):138. Pubmedid: 32917280. Pmcid: PMC7488769.
• Crowder SL, Najam N, Sarma KP, Fiese BH, Arthur AE. Head and Neck Cancer Survivors' Experiences with Chronic Nutrition Impact Symptom Burden after Radiation: A Qualitative Study. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2020 Oct.120(10):1643-1653. Pubmedid: 32646742.
• Crowder SL, Douglas KG, Frugé AD, Carroll WR, Spencer SA, Locher JL, Demark-Wahnefried W, Rogers LQ, Arthur AE. Head and neck cancer survivors' preferences for and evaluations of a post-treatment dietary intervention. Nutr J. 2019 Sep.18(1):57. Pubmedid: 31506077. Pmcid: PMC6737706.
• Crowder SL, Sarma KP, Mondul AM, Chen YT, Li Z, Pepino MY, Zarins KR, Wolf GT, Rozek LS, Arthur AE. Pretreatment Dietary Patterns Are Associated with the Presence of Nutrition Impact Symptoms 1 Year after Diagnosis in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2019 Oct.28(10):1652-1659. Pubmedid: 31315911. Pmcid: PMC6774815.
• Crowder SL, Frugé AD, Douglas KG, Chen YT, Moody L, Delk-Licata A, Erdman JW, Black M, Carroll WR, Spencer SA, Locher JL, Demark-Wahnefried W, Rogers LQ, Arthur AE. Feasibility Outcomes of a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial to Increase Cruciferous and Green Leafy Vegetable Intake in Posttreatment Head and Neck Cancer Survivors. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2019 Apr.119(4):659-671. Pubmedid: 30661935. Pmcid: PMC6433521.
• Crowder SL, Douglas KG, Yanina Pepino M, Sarma KP, Arthur AE. Nutrition impact symptoms and associated outcomes in post-chemoradiotherapy head and neck cancer survivors: a systematic review. J Cancer Surviv. 2018 Aug.12(4):479-494. Pubmedid: 29556926.

• Title: AI-Driven Early Detection of Cachexia in Pancreatic Cancer and Feasibility of Diet and Exercise Interventions
  Award Number: 25C62
  Sponsor: Florida Department of Health
  Rasool, G. (PD/PI), Parker, N. (Co-PD/PI), Permuth, J. (Co-PD/PI), Shafer, S. (Co-PD/PI)
• Title: The MIND-BC Study: MIND diet for Breast cancer Cognition
  Award Number: 1R01CA299480-01
  Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  Shafer, S. (PD/PI)