Biography

Dr. Sukh Makhnoon, PhD, MS, joined the faculty in June 2022. Dr. Makhnoon is a genetic epidemiologist who focuses on public health genomics and the translation of genomic applications into clinical practice. As an interdisciplinary researcher, she has developed a research program applying genetics, behavioral science, epidemiology, health services, and clinical perspectives to improve utilization of cancer prevention and control innovations across the cancer continuum, with a focus on uncertain and reclassified genetic test results. Her research interests include uncertainty related to genomic sequencing, genomic variant reclassification, and patients’ experiences with genomic sequencing. She contributes to a range of empirical projects focused on clinical genomics translation and precision medicine approaches to the prevention of cancer in diverse patient populations.

Dr. Makhnoon is the principal investigator of a 5-year K99/R00 grant from NCI focused on multilevel investigation of uncertain and reclassified genomic variants in clinical oncology (R00CA256216-01), a grant from the Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Colorectal Cancer (CGA-IGC) to study the adaptation of FamilyTalk intervention to better fit the cultural needs of Asian Americans.

Prior to joining UTSW, Dr. Makhnoon was a postdoctoral fellow at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences (CPRIT RP170259). She received her PhD in Public Health Genetics from the University of Washington, a MS in Genetic Epidemiology also from the University of Washington, and a BS in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from North South University.

Email

Research Interest
  • Cancer prevention
  • Genetic testing
  • Mixed methods research
  • Public health genetics

Publications

Featured Publications LegendFeatured Publications

Are beliefs about the importance of genetics for cancer prevention and early detection associated with high risk cancer genetic testing in the U.S. Population?
Makhnoon S, Maki KG, Yu R, Peterson SK, Shete S, Prev Med Rep 2022 Jun 27 101781
Increasing referral of at-risk women for genetic counseling and BRCA testing using a screening tool in a community breast imaging center.
Arun BK, Peterson SK, Sweeney LE, Bluebond RD, Tidwell RSS, Makhnoon S, Kushwaha AC, Cancer 2022 Jan 128 1 94-102
Uptake of cancer risk management strategies among women who undergo cascade genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility genes.
Makhnoon S, Tran G, Levin B, Mattie KD, Dreyer B, Volk RJ, Grana G, Arun BK, Peterson SK, Cancer 2021 10 127 19 3605-3613
Clinical management among individuals with variant of uncertain significance in hereditary cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Makhnoon S, Bednar EM, Krause KJ, Peterson SK, Lopez-Olivo MA, Clin Genet 2021 08 100 2 119-131
Disclosure of familial implications of pathogenic variants in breast-cancer genes to patients: Opportunity for prompting family communication.
Makhnoon S, Smith HS, Bednar EM, Bhatt A, Turner L, Arun B, Volk RJ, Peterson SK, J Community Genet 2021 Jul 12 3 439-447
Impact of a Genetic Evaluation Initiative to Increase Access to Genetic Services for Adolescent and Young Adults at a Tertiary Cancer Hospital.
Makhnoon S, Corredor J, Arun B, Bell D, Yarbrough A, Livingston JA, Peterson SK, Roth M, J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2021 06 10 3 296-302
The FamilyTalk randomized controlled trial: patient-reported outcomes in clinical genetic sequencing for colorectal cancer.
Makhnoon S, Bowen DJ, Shirts BH, Fullerton SM, Larson EB, Ralston JD, Leppig KA, Crosslin DR, Veenstra D, Jarvik GP, Cancer Causes Control 2021 May 32 5 483-492
Relationship between genetic knowledge and familial communication of CRC risk and intent to communicate CRCP genetic information: insights from FamilyTalk eMERGE III.
Makhnoon S, Bowen DJ, Shirts BH, Fullerton SM, Meischke HW, Larson EB, Ralston JD, Leppig K, Crosslin DR, Veenstra D, Jarvik GP, Transl Behav Med 2021 03 11 2 563-572
Factors Influencing Discussion of Cancer Genetic Testing with Health-Care Providers in a Population-Based Survey.
Makhnoon S, Yu R, Cunningham SA, Peterson SK, Shete S, Public Health Genomics 2021 24 3-4 160-170
Perceptions of provider's epistemic authority in response to variant of uncertain significance-related recommendations.
Makhnoon S, Mork M, Arun B, Volk RJ, Peterson SK, J Genet Couns 2020 Oct