IPOS News

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As a graduate psychologist and psychotherapist, I have been working with clients for over 15 years. Through collaboration with associations of oncology patients, together with my colleagues, I lead psychological support groups, psycho-oncology workshops, and education sessions. Recently, I became a member of the Health Promotion and Prevention Committee of IPOS, with the aim of exchanging knowledge and transferring good practice examples to local communities.  

I enjoy spending my free time camping.  

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to ed@ipos-society.org with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

I am an early-career counsellor at Mazumdar Shaw, Narayana Health, Bangalore, working  in the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology department. My Master's in Clinical Psycho-oncology from Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, and training at Apollo Hospitals and Karunashraya Hospice Trust have aided  me to equip myself to support children and families throughout their  cancer treatment journeys.

My current work focuses on providing psychosocial support to children and their families throughout the often-long and demanding course of cancer treatment, with a central emphasis on maintaining and enhancing their quality of life. I contribute to the hospital playroom, fostering holistic development and wellbeing through play, art, and creative activities. I am passionate about the therapeutic power of play and its role in helping children in multiple domains of well-being.

Beyond my direct clinical work, I am aspiring to address the broader needs of these children and their families, and in developing appropriate and accessible resources to support their long-term wellbeing.

My personal interests in dance and literature inspire me, and I hope to integrate these art forms into my future clinical practice, using creative expression as a therapeutic tool.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to ed@ipos-society.org with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. I also serve as the Secretary General of the Interamerican Psychological Society and as an Associate Editor for the Brazilian Journal of Cognitive Therapies. I worked as a research assistant at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the Department of Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities (MSKCC). My doctoral research focused on a pre-pilot study that assessed the effectiveness of behavioral activation through physical activity intervention among breast cancer survivors. 

As an Early-Stage Investigator, I conducted a research project titled “Developing and Testing a Spanish-Language Intervention to Reduce Cancer-Related Insomnia,” which adapted an existing intervention that has already shown efficacy among cancer survivors. This project aimed to create and test a Spanish-language behavioral intervention in a pilot randomized clinical trial. As a professor, I mentor graduate students in cancer-related research through the Health Psychology Research Laboratory (HPR Lab). I look forward to collaborating with members of the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) to promote the dissemination and implementation of scientific advancements in cancer care. I engage in daily physical activity, specifically walking for 45 to 60 minutes, to support my well-being and mental health.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to ed@ipos-society.org with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

Nsamu Moonga is a music therapist and PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria. He is conducting research titled "Indigenous Musical Arts for Distress and Anxiety Management in Patients with Cancer at Lusaka's Cancer Diseases Hospital." His work explores the therapeutic potential of Indigenous Musical Arts (IMAs) to provide culturally grounded interventions for cancer patients. Nsamu's research integrates psychology, music therapy, psycho-oncology, and anthropology to address the psychosocial needs of patients in low-resource settings.

As an active member of the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS), Nsamu advocates for equitable and inclusive healthcare practices, particularly in low—and middle-income countries. His transdisciplinary research approach aims to decolonise health systems by incorporating Indigenous knowledge and practices into oncology care.

Outside academia, Nsamu enjoys composing music inspired by African traditions and connecting with communities through storytelling and the arts. His passion for blending creativity with care continues to inspire his work.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to ed@ipos-society.org with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

Daphne is a general adult psychiatrist, psycho-oncologist, bioethicist, and theologian dedicated to providing holistic care to cancer patients and those facing end-of-life issues, both in outpatient and hospital settings. With a medical background complemented by deep training in the humanities, she approaches patient care from a multifaceted perspective, addressing not only psychological needs but also supporting the emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of those grappling with illness and loss.

As a bioethicist, Daphne contributes to the ethical oversight of medical research and offers consultations on challenging clinical decisions. She is also involved in education and training, mentoring future clinicians in her areas of expertise.

Beyond her clinical and academic roles, Daphne is passionate about the integral development of youth. She volunteers as a management member of a non-profit organization focused on youth empowerment and has active civic involvement in family advocacy groups. 

Outside her professional life, Daphne finds joy in appreciating nature, art, film, classical literature, deep conversations, personal encounters, and “wasting” time with friends.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to ed@ipos-society.org with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

I am part of the team at the Psychooncology Department in a cancer Hospital in Chile. We focus on work with adult cancer patients and their families during their cancer journey working closely with other Supportive care Units and health care professionals.  

I have been working in Psycho Oncology for the last 5 years after my training. It allows me the opportunity to know inspiring people and also the IPOS community and the IPOS Survivorship SIG. During this time I have been learning about collaborative work, new international research collaborations along with delivery psycho oncology through Telemedicine and in person clinics at the hospital. 

It brings the opportunity to contribute to include aspects of care for healthcare professionals as long as becoming a mother of two. I am very passionate about learning from our contexts and to find ways to keep building healing relations with others. Psycho Oncology It is a fascinating field and discipline, it has given me the opportunity to learn about human experiences and belonging, acceptance and growing in a shared learning with people we work with. I am very thankful for this time and learning. 

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to ed@ipos-society.org with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST

Brought to you by the IPOS Fear of Cancer Recurrence Special Interest Group (FORwards)

Presentations by:

1. Dr. Daniel Hall

2. Dr. Sophie Lebel (Canada)

3. Dr. Ben Smith (Australia)

Register online by going to https://form.jotform.com/250274672710252

The team at IPOS would like to extend our best wishes to you for a safe and peaceful holiday season. We hope you enjoy your time and festivities with family and friends, and we look forward to what the new year brings!

The IPOS Board of Directors and office will be unavailable from 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 to Wednesday, January 1, 2025 inclusive. The office reopens at 9 a.m. ET on January 2 and will make every effort to respond to all inquiries within the first 48 hours upon our return.
 
See you in the new year!

Abstracts are now being accepted through 23rd January for the upcoming Irish Psychosocial Oncology Network (IPSON) conference on Thursday, 20th March 2025 at National College of Ireland in Dublin. The theme of the conference is Collaborative Practice in Psychosocial Oncology: Optimising Quality in Practice and Research.

The conference will feature two exciting keynote speakers:

Dr. Sahil Suleman, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, University Hospitals Birmingham, NHS Foundation Trust

Ms Siobhan Gaynor, Metastatic Cancer Patient and Researcher

Registration for the conference will open in several weeks, however be assured that the schedule for the day is looking fantastic! Details for poster abstract submissions and the conference are attached. We are grateful if you would share these details with your professional networks.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and seeing you at the conference.

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch: ipsonconference@gmail.com

SUBMISSIONS

Please email your abstract as a Word document (Calibri, 12-point font) no later Please email your abstract as a Word document (Calibri, 12-point font) no later than 23rd

January 2025, midnight GMT to: ipsonconference@gmail.com