Faculty
Marleah Dean Kruzel
Professor
CONTACT
BIOGRAPHY
Marleah Dean Kruzel (PhD, Texas A&M University) is a professor, researcher, and speaker with expertise in healthcare communication. Her research focuses on uncertainty, medical decision making, and communication of genetic risk information. She is an expert on the health experiences and decisions of previvors—individuals with inherited gene mutations who have not been diagnosed with cancer. Dr. Dean Kruzel's work has been published in journals such as Academic Medicine, Genetics in Medicine, Patient Education & Counseling, and Journal of Genetic Counseling and has been funded by the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Dr. Dean Kruzel is also the daughter of a 29-year breast cancer survivor and a BRCA2 previvor and thus committed to patient engagement and science communication. A former digital ambassador for the National Society of Genetic Counselors gene pool, she was one of 15 influences with a unique perspective and knowledge about genetics. Dr. Dean Kruzel is a current spokesperson in the CDC’s “Bring Your Brave” Breast Cancer Campaign and a Scientific Advisory Board member for the non-profits FORCE and My Faulty Gene.
RESEARCH AREAS
Health Communication, Patient-Clinician Interaction, Cancer Communication, Health Decision Making, Inherited Cancer Risk
RESEARCH clusters
Health Communication; Interpersonal and Relational Communication
FEATURED MEDIA, PODCASTS, AND BLOGS
“Power to the Patient! How to talk to doctors and advocate for precision medicine.” (Podcast - Genetics in Healthcare: A podcast for patients)
“Communicating genetic risk with confidence across family, healthcare, and relationships.” (Podcast - The Positive Gene Podcast)
"Understanding BRCA1/2 previvors’ information and support needs" (Blog - Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered)
"Coping with uncertainty from genetic testing" (Podcast - National Society of Genetic Counselors)
"Making decisions in an uncertain world" (Podcast - Health Stories)
"Combining Personal and the Professional in Research" (Podcast - Oregon State University’s Research in Action)
"How to make decisions in the wake of uncertainty" - (TEDxUSF)
"Inspired by my mom" (Video - Bring Your Brave Social Media Campaign)