Celine Ko Ph.D.

Dr. Celine Ko is a professor of psychology whose research focuses broadly on chronic illness—particularly cancer—and the effects of meditation curricula and mindfulness on stress and academic achievement.

In her cancer research, her interests focus on cancer prevention; cultural issues and attitudes related to cancer screening and prevention; psychological factors that enhance quality of life for cancer patients and their families; and measurement development and validation in Filipino communities.

Professor Ko’s research on meditation curricula is conducted in collaboration with the biology and religious studies departments and has informed her clinical work on mindfulness-based interventions.

• Ph.D., joint doctoral program in clinical psychology, University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University
• B.A., University of California, Riverside

• Two-year postdoctoral fellowship, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles

• Sadler, G. R., Ko, C. M., Wu, P., Alisangco, J., and Kelly, C. (2011). A cluster randomized controlled trial to increase breast cancer screening among African American women: The Black Cosmetologists Promoting Health Program. Journal of the National Medical Association, 103(8), 735–745.
• Merz, E. L., Malcarne, V. L., Ko, C. M., Sadler, M., Kwack, L., Varni, J. W., and Sadler, G. R. (2011). Dyadic concordance among prostate cancer patients and their partners and health-related quality of life: Does it matter? Psychology & Health, 26(6), 651–666.
• Sadler, G. R., Ko, C. M., Takahashi, M., Ching, C. R., Lee, I., Chuang, G. C., and Lee, K. K. (2010). Increasing Asian American women’s research participation: The Asian grocery store–based cancer education program. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 31(4), 283–288.
• Banthia, R., Malcarne, V. L., Ko, C. M., Varni, J. W., and Sadler, G. R. (2009). Fatigued breast cancer survivors: The role of sleep quality, depressed mood, stage, and age. Psychology & Health, 24(8), 965–980.
• Ko, C. M., Malcarne, V. L., Varni, J. W., Roesch, S., Banthia, R., Greenberg, H. L., and Sadler, G. R. (2005). Problem solving and distress in prostate cancer patients and their spousal caregivers. Supportive Care in Cancer, 13(6), 367–374.
• Ko, C. M., Sadler, G. R., Ryujin, L., and Dong, A. (2003). Filipina American women’s breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. BMC Public Health, 3, 27.