The Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL) has more than 130 members from across the Illinois campus. Given the great variety in backgrounds, research disciplines, and experiences of our members, we offer our Q&A series “Get to Know a Cancer Researcher” to provide readers a connection with the amazing array of individuals who comprise the CCIL’s robust cancer research team. This is the tenth installment.
CCIL Member: Rachel Adler
CCIL Research Program: Cancer Technology & Data Science
CCIL Research Theme: Computational Engineering and Data Science
Faculty Position: Associate Professor, School of Information Sciences
What originally drew you to cancer research?
I was first drawn to cancer research through my involvement with NIH U54 ChicagoCHEC grants focused on cancer health equity. These projects involved designing mobile health apps: one aimed to improve symptom burden and quality of life for Hispanic women with breast cancer, and another to empower cancer survivors with disabilities to better manage the long-term consequences of cancer and its treatment.
Working on cancer projects is also meaningful to me on a personal level. When I was an undergraduate student, my younger sister (also in college at the time) was diagnosed with leukemia. She is now a doctor and someone I often turn to for perspective on my work.
What cancer problems are you seeking to address in your lab?
Our work focuses on improving health-related outcomes and quality of life for cancer survivors through digital interventions. In one project, we are currently designing an AI-assisted intervention to promote physical activity and support cognitive functioning among cancer survivors.
What keeps you going in your research? How do you recharge?
Working with my amazing students and seeing their passion for research keeps me going. I recharge by hanging out with friends and family, especially my kids and sisters who keep me laughing.
What are fun or quirky facts about you that others may not know?
I am one of five sisters. One is my identical twin.
Can you tell us a favorite film or book of yours?
My favorite book growing up was Pride and Prejudice. A more recent book I read was The Family Experiment by John Marrs, about virtual children and the metaverse. My husband and kids read it, too, which led to a lot of interesting conversations.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, and why?
I’m very happy to be at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, working on meaningful research in accessibility, health, and design.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received, and how has it shaped your research career?
My mom, a professor in computing, encouraged me early on to pursue the field. As a woman in computing, this reinforced that people can pursue any field, even if they feel different or are underrepresented. No path is off limits.
Stay tuned for more weekly installments in our “Get to Know a Cancer Researcher” series.
Editor’s notes:
Rachel Adler can be reached at radler@illinois.edu.
This story was written by Jonathan King, CCIL Communications Coordinator.