Contact Information

Biography

Dr. Elizabeth Skrovanek is an assistant professor at Duquesne University School of Nursing.  She completed both her BSN and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, where much of the focus of her doctoral work was around reproductive decision-making in individuals with genetic susceptibility.   

The crux of Dr. Skrovanek’s research lies around understanding and addressing the risk perceptions, psychosocial impacts and ethical implications of those with abnormal genetic test results. Her graduate work, "Emotional States Associated with Reproductive Decision-Making in Women who are BRCA Positive" strived to better understand the specific emotions that are predominant in women with a BRCA gene mutation who are making family planning decisions. She has presented at several international, national and local conferences on reproductive decision-making, ethics and personal cancer risk. 

Her research and training have been supported in part by a T32 Institutional Research Training Grant through the National Institute of Nursing Research, the Jonas Nursing Scholars program, and intramural awards at both the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University School of Nursing. 

In addition to her work as an assistant professor at Duquesne, Elizabeth is a member of professional organizations, such as the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau, where she has held leadership positions for the past 3 years and Postpartum Pittsburgh, where she currently serves as the Media and Technology Chair.  

Education

  • PhD, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, 2020
  • BSN, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, 2014

Research Interests

  • Women's Health
  • Reproductive Health
  • Genetic Susceptibility
  • Breast Cancer
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Decision-Making
  • Emotion

School

About

  • 2019-2020: University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Judith Erlen Research Scholarship
  • 2018-2019: University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Margaret E. Wilkes Scholarship

Manuscripts

  • Skrovanek, E., Dunbar-Jacob, J., Dunwoody, C., & Wesmiller, S. (2020). Integrative Review of Reproductive Decision Making of Women Who Are BRCA Positive. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2020.07.006
  • McCall, M., Stanfill, A., Skrovanek, E., Pforr, J., Wesmiller, S. & Conley, Y. (2018). Symptom Science: Omics Supports Common Biological Underpinnings across Symptoms. Biological Research for Nursing, 20(2), 83-191.

 

Presentations

International Presentations

  • Skrovanek, E., Arida, J., Belcher, S., Campbell, G., Hagan, T., Donovan, H. S. (2015, May 3). Causal Attributions of Ovarian Cancer: From Heredity to Bad Luck. Podium presentation at the First Annual International Conference on Nursing in Athens, Greece.

National Presentations
  • Corbin, J., Skrovanek, E., Wesmiller, S. (2020, April). Influence of Variability of Anesthesia Method on Nausea and Vomiting Experienced by Women Following Breast Cancer Surgery. Poster presentation at 2020 National Council for Undergraduate Research, Bozeman, MO.
  • *Conference was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic*
  • Wesmiller, S., Sereika, S., Bender, Catherine., Skrovanek, E., Conley, Y. (2019, November 8). The Association of Polymorphisms Identified as Common Data Elements with Symptoms Experienced by Women with Breast Cancer. Oral abstract presentation at 2019 International Society of Nurses in Genetics World Congress, San Antonio, TX.
  • Skrovanek, E., Dunbar-Jacob, J. and Hexem, S. (2017, June 11). Increasing the Doctorally Prepared Nurse: The Case for PA. Oral presentation at 2017 National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers Annual Conference, Denver, CO.
  • Skrovanek, E., Arida, J., Belcher, S., Campbell, G., Hagan, T., Donovan, H. S. (2015, March 27). Causal Attributions of Ovarian Cancer: From Heredity to Bad Luck. Poster presentation at the Transforming Cancer Survivorship through Research and Best Practice Conference, Cincinnati, OH.
  • Belcher S, Arida J, Campbell G, Hagan T, Skrovanek E, & Donovan HS. (2015, March 27). Exploring well-being, social support, and financial vulnerability in women with recurrent ovarian cancer who report more than one primary cancer diagnosis within the past three years. Poster abstract presentation at the Cancer Survivorship Research and Best Practice Conference, Cincinnati, OH.

State/Regional Presentations
  • Skrovanek E, Dunbar-Jacob J, Wesmiller S (2019, May 1). Reproductive Decision Making in Women who are BRCA Positive. Oral presentation at ISONG Regional Meeting; Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America.
  • Skrovanek, E, Dunbar-Jacob, J. and Wesmiller, S (2018, September 15). Reproductive Decision Making in Women who are BRCA Positive. Oral presentation at Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Annual Conference; Washington DC, United States of America.
  • Skrovanek, E., Low, C., Mai, P., Schear., Posluszny, D., Donovan, H. S. (2017, June 22). Impact of Race and Education on Fertility Preservation Counseling. Poster presented at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Donovan, H.S., Campbell, G., Belcher, S., Ferguson, R., Low, C., Manculich, J., Posluzny, D., Schmidt, J., Skrovanek, E., Bovbjerg, D. (2016, June 16). Prevalence of Somatic Peripheral Neuropathy in Survivors of a Wide Range of Cancers: Results from the 2010 LiveStrong Survey. Presented at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Retreat, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Skrovanek, E., Arida, J., Belcher, S., Campbell, G., Hagan, T., Donovan, H. S. (2015, April 17). Causal Attributions of Ovarian Cancer: From Heredity to Bad Luck. Poster presentation at Oncology Quality of Life Paper Session at the 27th Annual Eastern Nursing Research Society Scientific Sessions, Washington, D.C.

Local Presentations
  • Skrovanek E, Dunbar-Jacob J, and Wesmiller S (2019, May 1). Reproductive Decision Making in Women who are BRCA Positive. Oral presentation at ISONG Regional Meeting; Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America.
  • Skrovanek, E, Dunbar-Jacob, J. and Wesmiller, S (2018, September 15). Reproductive Decision Making in Women who are BRCA Positive. Oral presentation at Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science Annual Conference; Washington DC, United States of America.
  • Skrovanek, E, Dunbar-Jacob, J. and Wesmiller, S. (2019, March 21). Reproductive Decision Making in Women who are BRCA Positive. Poster presentation at Sigma Theta Tau Eta Chapters Scholars Night; Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Skrovanek, E, Dunbar-Jacob, J. and Wesmiller, S. (2019, February 18). Reproductive Decision Making in Women who are BRCA Positive. Poster presentation at Sigma Theta Tau Eta Chapters Scholars Night; Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Donovan H, Campbell G, Belcher S, Ferguson R, Jones R, Low C, Manculich J, Posluszny D, Schmidt J, Skrovanek E, & Bovbjerg D. (October 31, 2016). Prevalence of somatic peripheral neuropathy in survivors of a wide range of cancers: Results from the 2010 LIVESTRONG survey. Poster abstract presentation at the 6th Annual Scholarly Poster Presentation Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Donovan H, Campbell G, Belcher S, Ferguson R, Jones R, Low C, Manculich J, Posluszny D, Schmidt J, Skrovanek E, & Bovbjerg D. (2016, June 15). Prevalence of somatic peripheral neuropathy in survivors of a wide range of cancers: Results from the 2010 LIVESTRONG survey. Poster abstract presentation at the 28th Annual UPCI Scientific Retreat & 30th Anniversary Symposium III, Greensburg, PA.
  • Belcher S, Arida J, Campbell G, Hagan T, Skrovanek E, & Donovan HS. (2015, October 6). Exploring well-being, social support, and financial vulnerability in women with recurrent ovarian cancer who report more than one primary cancer diagnosis within the past three years. Podium abstract presentation at the Basic and Translational Research Seminar Series, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institution, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Belcher S, Arida J, Campbell G, Hagan T, Skrovanek E, & Donovan HS. (2015, June 18-19). Exploring well-being, social support, and financial vulnerability in women with recurrent ovarian cancer who report more than one primary cancer diagnosis within the past three years. Poster abstract presentation at the Annual UPCI Scientific Retreat and Satellite Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Skrovanek E, Ackison G, Arida J, Belcher S, Campbell G, Hagan T, & Donovan H. (2015, June 18-19). Causal attributions of ovarian cancer. Poster abstract presentation at the Annual UPCI Scientific Retreat and Satellite Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • 2016-2018: Nurse Leader Scholar, Jonas Philanthropies
  • 2015-2016: Pre-doctoral fellow, T32 Interdisciplinary Training for Nurse Scientists in Cancer Survivorship Research