Marissa Bergh is a full-time student in the Florence S Downs PhD Program. She graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia with a BSN and a BS in Biology. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a Research Assistant for Dr. Deborah Bruner studying the effects of radiation on the vaginal microbiome and subsequent correlations with symptom management and quality of life in GYN oncology patients.
Starting her career as an oncology nurse, she found her passion in palliative and end-of-life care management. Recognizing the vast disparities that exist within the healthcare system surrounding effective delivery of this care, particularly outside of acute care services, she decided to pursue her doctorate degree at NYU. She is currently interested in research that aims to improve the integration of palliative care into long-term care services (e.g., nursing homes, home healthcare, etc.), especially in historically marginalized communities.
Additionally, Marissa has experience working as a clinical research nurse here in New York and has been authored on several papers, including one in the New England Journal of Medicine: Vaccine Breakthrough Infections with SARS-CoV2 Variants. She is also a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association where she works as a support group facilitator for young adult caregivers of individuals living with dementia.
