Melinda Stolley, PhD

Associate Professor of Medicine
Research Interests
Dr. Stolley’s research interests primarily focus on cancer survivorship with a special emphasis on underserved populations. Relatedly, she develops and conducts lifestyle interventions to promote health among survivors. An additional interest is the prevention of obesity among young children.
Recent and Noteworthy Publications
Fitzgibbon ML, Stolley MR, Schiffer L, Kong A, Braunschweig CL, Gomez-Perez SL, Odoms-Young A, Van Horn L, Kaufer Christoffel K, Dyer AR. Family-based Hip-Hop to Health: outcome results. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2013 Feb;21(2):274-83. Epub 2012 May 29. [See abstract.]
Sheean PM, Hoskins K, Stolley M. Body composition changes in females treated for breast cancer: a review of the evidence. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2012 Oct;135(3):663-680. [See abstract.]
Fitzgibbon ML, Stolley MR, Schiffer LA, Braunschweig CL, Gomez SL, Van Horn L, Dyer AR. Hip-Hop to Health Jr. Obesity Prevention Effectiveness Trial: Postintervention Results. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2011 May;19(5):994-1003. [See abstract.]
Fitzgibbon ML, Stolley MR, Schiffer L, Sharp LK, Singh V, Dyer A. Obesity Reduction Black Intervention Trial (ORBIT): 18-month results. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2010 Dec;18(12):2317-2325. [See abstract.]
Stolley, M. R., Restrepo, J., Sharp, L.K. Diet and physical activity in childhood cancer survivors: a review of the literature. Ann Behav Med. 2010 Jun;39(3):232-49.
Stolley MR, Sharp LK, Arroyo C, Ruffin C, Restrepo J, Campbell R. Design and recruitment of the Chicago Healthy Living Study: a study of health behaviors in a diverse cohort of adult childhood cancer survivors. Cancer. 2009 Sep 4;115(S18):4385-4396. [See abstract.]
Gerber BS, Stolley MR, Thompson AL, Sharp LK, Fitzgibbon ML. Mobile phone text messaging to promote healthy behaviors and weight loss maintenance: a feasibility study. Health Informatics J. 2009 Mar;15(1):17-25. [See abstract.]
Stolley MR, Fitzgibbon ML, Schiffer L, Sharp LK, Singh V, Van Horn L, Dyer A. Obesity Reduction Black Intervention Trial (ORBIT): Six-month Results. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2009 Jan;17(1):100-6. [See abstract.]
Stolley MR, Sharp LK, Oh A, Schiffer L. A weight loss intervention for African American breast cancer survivors, 2006. Prev Chronic Dis. 2009 Jan;6(1):A22. [See abstract.]
Fitzgibbon ML, Stolley MR, Schiffer L, Sharp L, Singh V, Van Horn L, Dyer A. Obesity Reduction Black Intervention Trial (ORBIT): design and baseline characteristics. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2008 Sep;17(7):1099-110.
Sharp LK, Kinahan KE, Didwania A, Stolley M. Quality of life in adult survivors of childhood cancer. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2007 Jul-Aug;24(4):220-6.
Sharp LK, Kinahan KE, Didwania A, Stolley M. Quality of life in adult survivors of childhood cancer. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2007;24(4):220-226.
Fitzgibbon ML, Stolley MR, Ganschow P, Schiffer L, Wells A, Simon N, Dyer A. Faith on the Move: A faith-based pilot weight loss intervention for Black women. J Natl Med Assoc. 2006;96, 76-86.
Fitzgibbon ML, Stolley MR. Promoting health in an unhealthful environment: lifestyle challenges for children and adolescents. J Am Dietetic Assoc. 2006;106, 518-522.
Sanchez-Johnsen L, Stolley MR, Fitzgibbon ML. Diet, physical activity and breast health intervention for Latina women. Hispanic Health Care Int. 2006;4(2):104-110.
Stolley MR, Sharp LK, Wells AM, Simon N, Schiffer L. Health behaviors and breast cancer: experiences of urban African-American women. Health Educ Behav. 2006;33:604-624.
Fitzgibbon ML, Stolley MR, Schiffer L, Sanchez-Johnson L, Wells AM, Dyer A. A combined breast health/weight loss intervention for Black women. Prev Med. 2005 Apr;40(4):373-83.
Fitzgibbon ML, Stolley MR. Environmental changes may be needed for prevention of overweight in minority children. Pediatr Ann. 2004 Jan;33(1):45-9.
Stolley MR, Fitzgibbon ML, Wells A, Martinovich Z. Addressing multiple breast cancer risk factors in African-American women. J Natl Med Assoc. 2004 Jan;96(1):76-86.
Honors and Awards
Contact Info
Institute for Health Research and Policy
University of Illinois at Chicago (MC 275)
456 Westside Research Office Bldg.
1747 West Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60608
Other Title(s)
Member, UI Cancer Center Population Health, Behavior and Outcomes Program
IHRP Affiliation(s)
Current IHRP Research Studies (Co-I)
Recently Completed Research
- Breast Cancer Risk Reduction and Weight Loss in African-American Women
- Family-Based Obesity Prevention in Latino Families
- Happy Healthy Kids: Dissemination of an Obesity Prevention Program for Minority Preschool Children
- Obesity Reduction Black Intervention Trial
- Preschool-Based Obesity Prevention Effectiveness Trial
- Prevention of Overweight in Minority Preschool Children
- Randomized Trial Comparing Psychosocial Interventions for Cancer Patients
- Reducing Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk in Black Women

