Diana Cooke

Diana Cooke is a Research Assistant on the CanWork study at Trinity College Dublin, supporting programme delivery and participant engagement to help women return to work after breast cancer.

Diana holds a BA in Psychology and an MSc in Health Psychology from the University of Galway. Her earlier research focused on the experiences of individuals with hereditary cancer predispositions such as BRCA alterations. Across these projects, she explored the psychological impact of increased cancer risk, the role of social support in shaping psychological well-being and quality of life, coping strategies, factors influencing health-related behaviours, and how patient–provider communication influences distress and healthcare experiences across the cancer trajectory. This work underscored the importance of supportive networks and effective healthcare relationships in helping individuals manage the challenges of cancer risk, treatment, and survivorship.

Diana is currently an AllCaN PhD Candidate in the School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin. Diana’s doctoral research focuses on developing lifestyle interventions for individuals with Barrett’s Oesophagus, a precancerous condition of the food pipe, with the aim of improving quality of life and reducing cancer risk.

She is passionate about translating research into practice, ensuring that patients’ voices are central to the development and delivery of programmes that address their needs, and advancing understanding of how lifestyle and psychosocial support can empower people throughout the cancer experience.