Pediatrics
Childhood and Oncology Psychosocial Research Program
Explore More
Welcome to the Childhood and Oncology Psychosocial Evidence-Based (COPE) Research Program. At COPE, we study how to best support the psychosocial well-being of children, adolescents and young adults with cancer, and their families. Our research focuses on understanding their experiences and developing evidence-based strategies that help families cope and thrive, during treatment through survivorship.
What is COPE?
The COPE Research Program is a research initiative at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital dedicated to advancing psychosocial care in pediatric oncology. Through collaborative, data-driven studies, our team investigates how cancer affects the psychosocial well-being of children, adolescents, young adults, and families facing cancer. We design and evaluate evidence-based approaches to improve quality of life, reduce distress, and promote resilience from diagnosis through survivorship. By translating our research into real-world initiatives, COPE aims to strengthen psychosocial care for all families facing childhood cancer.
Meet the Team
Program Director
Dr. Ariane Levesque is a Research Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Penn State College of Medicine. She leads the COPE Research Program, a research initiative she founded to help advance our understanding of the psychosocial experiences of children with cancer and their families, and to inform the development of new evidence-based interventions at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Levesque earned her PhD in Research Psychology from the University of Montreal in 2024, specializing in pediatric psychosocial oncology. Her research focuses on improving quality of life and psychosocial well-being for children with cancer, survivors and their families. She is especially interested in evaluating and developing evidence-based psychosocial support at the individual- and family-level from the start of cancer treatments to survivorship.
Hear from the Program Director
In this Science in 60 Seconds video, Ariane Levesque, PhD, shares how the COPE Research Program at Penn State College of Medicine is helping researchers better understand and support the emotional well-being of children with cancer and their families. Watch this and more of Science in 60 Seconds at the link below.
Meet the Team
George Blackall, PsyD, MS, MBA
Vice Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, Penn State College of Medicine
Giselle Saulnier-Sholler, MD, MSc
Four Diamonds Endowed Chair for Pediatric Oncology Research, Pediatrics
Research Topics and Current Projects
The BEAT-PED study seeks to better understand the experiences of parents whose children are enrolled in early phase or precision medicine clinical trials for childhood cancer.
By learning more about parents’ experience, values, and goals, this study aims to guide the development of tailored resources and improve the overall clinical trial experience for both children and their parents.
To learn more about the BEAT-PED study, please contact: alevesque@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
The PATH Study seeks to better understand the physical and psychosocial well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship. The study looks at areas such as physical function, fatigue, pain, sleep, mood, and overall quality of life, and compares these experiences with those of healthy children and young adults.
By learning how age, treatment, and life circumstances shape well-being, this research hopes to guide the creation of more personalized care and resources to help children, adolescents, and young adults thrive during and after cancer.
To learn more about the PATH Study, please contact: alevesque@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
The first phase of the GAME-ONc Study aims to learn from adolescents with cancer, their parents, and their care teams about how a digital intervention (such as a video game) could help support emotional well-being during treatment. This study explores what kinds of games and features teens with cancer would find most helpful and enjoyable, such as learning new coping skills, staying connected with friends, or supporting healthy habits during cancer care.
By listening to these perspectives, our team will design a digital intervention that meets the real needs and desires of teens facing cancer.
To learn more about the GAME-ONc Study, please contact: alevesque@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
The NPO study examines how cancer and its treatments may affect children’s thinking, memory, and learning over time.
By reviewing data collected during routine neuropsychological assessments, we aim to better understand patterns of change and identify factors that support healthy cognitive development. This will help us improve long-term care and educational support for children with cancer.
To learn more about the NPO study, please contact: alevesque@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or amcneill@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
FAQs for Parents
Your child’s medical care is handled by physicians and nurses. COPE focuses on the psychosocial side of care (things like stress, coping, and family support) so that children and families feel cared for in every way.
Most of our studies involve surveys, interviews, or activities that can be done alongside your child’s medical care. We work hard to keep things simple and avoid adding stress to your family’s routine. We want our research to directly benefit you and your family as much as possible, at no extra cost to you.
No. Participation in research is completely voluntary and will not affect your child’s medical care or relationship with the care team, whether you participate or not.
Participating gives your family access to supportive, evidence-based activities that may help with coping, mood, or stress. Your involvement also helps us develop better care for other children and families in the future. It’s a way to both benefit from and contribute to psychosocial research.
COPE studies are developed in close collaboration with pediatric health care providers and are designed to work alongside your child’s medical care. We regularly share updates with care teams so they’re aware of what’s available and how COPE may support their patients' well-being.
Families can reach out directly to the COPE team or ask their care team at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital to connect them with us.
To reach out to the COPE team, please contact Dr. Ariane Levesque:
alevesque@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
717-531-0003, x289646
FAQs for Collaborators
COPE focuses on quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods psychosocial oncology research, including intervention development and testing, assessment of coping and emotional distress, neuropsychological and psychosocial outcomes, and studies on family dynamics and quality of life across the pediatric cancer continuum.
We welcome partnerships with students, trainees, clinicians, and researchers. Opportunities include joint studies, data sharing, multi-site projects, and knowledge translation efforts. Please reach out to Dr. Ariane Levesque if you are interested in collaborating with COPE:
alevesque@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
717-531-0003, x289646
Yes, COPE welcomes undergraduate and graduate students, interns, and trainees who are interested in pediatric psychosocial oncology research. Opportunities include hands-on experience in study design, data collection and analysis, and knowledge translation. If interested in joining COPE, please reach out to Dr. Ariane Levesque:
alevesque@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
717-531-0003, x289646
Our studies use rigorous, evidence-based methods, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches. COPE ensures research quality through strict adherence to evidence-based guidelines, ethical oversight, and validated methods. Using validated measures and rigorous methods, our team produces findings that are both scientifically strong and relevant to clinical care.
