Dr. Zahra A. Barandouzi is an Assistant Professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University and a member of the Winship Cancer Institute. Her research focuses on patient-reported outcomes, cancer symptom science and management, and omics science.

Dr. Barandouzi is currently using machine learning to identify key markers of symptom development and persistence in cancer populations, to design targeted, data-driven interventions. The results of her work aim to provide a foundation for developing precise strategies to better manage and alleviate symptoms in individuals with cancer.

Her mission as a cancer researcher is to uncover novel insights that improve outcomes and quality of life for people affected by cancer. 

1. Barandouzi, Z. A., Bruner, D. W., Lin, Y., Choi, H., Zeki, L. R., Akangbe, T., ... & Li, H. (2025). Probiotics for Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Cancer: A Systematic Review of Animal and Human Studies with Mechanistic Insights. Microorganisms, 14(1), 51.
2. Liu, D., Hu, X., Xiao, C., Bai, J., Barandouzi, Z. A., Lee, S., ... & Lin, Y. (2025). Evaluation of large language models in tailoring educational content for cancer survivors and their caregivers: quality analysis. JMIR cancer, 11, e67914.
3. Barandouzi, Z. A., Chen, J., Henderson, W. A., Starkweather, A. R., & Cong, X. S. (2024). Nurse-led self-management support to improve symptom management and self-reported outcomes in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Interdisciplinary Nursing Research, 3(3), 163-168.
4. Barandouzi, Z.A., Eng, T., Shelton, J., Khanna, N., Scott, I., Meador, R. and Bruner, D.W., 2023. Associations of the gut microbiome with psychoneurological symptom cluster in women with gynecologic cancers: a longitudinal study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 31(12), p.626.
5. Barandouzi, Z.A., Bruner, D.W., Miller, A.H., Paul, S., Felger, J.C., Wommack, E.C., Higgins, K.A., Shin, D.M., Saba, N.F. and Xiao, C., 2023. Associations of inflammation with neuropsychological symptom cluster in patients with Head and neck cancer: A longitudinal study. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity-Health, p.100649.
6. Barandouzi, Z.A., Bai, J., Eng, T.Y., Patel, P., Shelton, J., Khanna, N., Scott, I., Remick, J. and Meador, R., 2023, February. Associations Between Social Determinants of Health and Psychoneurologic Symptom Clusters in Women With Gynecologic Cancers: A Longitudinal Study. In Oncology Nursing Forum (Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 241-251).
7. Barandouzi, Z.A., Rowcliffe, C., Schrogin, J., Meador, R. and Bruner, D.W., 2022. Exploring the links among inflammation and gut microbiome with psychoneurological symptoms and gastrointestinal toxicities in gynecologic cancers: a systematic review. Supportive care in cancer, 30(8), pp.6497-6513.
8. Barandouzi, Z.A., Lee, J., del Carmen Rosas, M., Chen, J., Henderson, W.A., Starkweather, A.R. and Cong, X.S., 2022. Associations of neurotransmitters and the gut microbiome with emotional distress in mixed type of irritable bowel syndrome. Scientific Reports, 12(1), p.1648
9. Barandouzi, Z.A., Lee, J., Maas, K., Starkweather, A.R. and Cong, X.S., 2021. Altered gut microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome and its association with food components. Journal of personalized medicine, 11(1), p.35.
10. Barandouzi, Z.A., Starkweather, A.R., Henderson, W.A., Gyamfi, A. and Cong, X.S., 2020. Altered composition of gut microbiota in depression: a systematic review. Frontiers in psychiatry, 11, p.541.
11. Barandouzi, Z.A., Keshavarz, M., Montazeri, A., Ashayeri, H. and Rajaei, Z., 2020. Comparison of the analgesic effect of oral sucrose and/or music in preterm neonates: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Complementary therapies in medicine, 48, p.102271. 

Dr. Barandouzi has broad experience teaching courses such as “Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing,” “Maternal and Child Health,” and “Methods of Research in Medical Sciences” to nursing students and bedside nursing staff. During her graduate program and postdoctoral training, she also served as a teaching assistant for clinical simulation and mentored undergraduate students in preparing abstracts and manuscripts. Her teaching interests include research methods, oncology nursing, evidence-based practice, and women’s health. Dr. Barandouzi’s teaching philosophy centers on active learning, engaging students through research-based instructional strategies, and encouraging participation, collaboration, and critical thinking to prepare nursing students for real-world challenges that require adaptive problem-solving.

Dr. Barandouzi’s research focuses on symptom assessment and the development of innovative interventions to improve symptom management in cancer populations and reduce disparities in cancer outcomes. Her work has been supported by several funding agencies, including the American Nurses Foundation, the Southern Nursing Research Society, Sigma Theta Tau, the Pediatric and Reproductive Environmental Health Scholars (PREHS) Southeastern Environmental Exposures and Disparities (SEED) Program (K12), the Heilbronn Nurse Scholar Award, and intramural funding.

• 2025 Selected for Presentation in the Best Abstract Session, Oncology Nursing Society
• 2021 Excellent Service Award/ Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association International Nursing Research Conference
• 2021 Early career investigator scholarship/ Boot Camp, Columbia University
• 2020 Pre-doctoral fellowship award/ University of Connecticut
• 2018 Anne Bavier Fund for Doctoral Education in Nursing/ University of Connecticut
• 2018 John J. and Joan Couzens Sauer Endowed Nursing/ University of Connecticut
• 2017 Anne Bavier Fund for Doctoral Education in Nursing/ University of Connecticut
• 2017 John J. and Joan Couzens Sauer Endowed Nursing/ University of Connecticut
• 2016 Dean’s Nursing Scholarship/ University of Connecticut