About

Sarah Anderson is a Professor of Epidemiology at The Ohio State University, affiliated with the Institute for Population Research. Her professional contact information includes her office at 060 Townshend Hall, Ohio State University, and her email address is anderson.1767@osu.edu. She is involved in research related to adolescent to young adult development, health, and mortality. Her work focuses on understanding factors influencing health outcomes within these populations, contributing to the field through research and academic leadership.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Medical emergency
• Emergency medicine
• Internal medicine
• Anatomy
• Accounting
• Environmental health
• Clinical psychology
• Business
• Surgery
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Physical therapy

Selected publications

• Back to work: exploring barriers and facilitators to return to work and work participation following traumatic amputation

  Disability and Rehabilitation · 2026-03-22

  articleSenior author

  PURPOSE: To explore barriers and facilitators to returning to work and work participation experienced by people following traumatic amputation. METHODS: = 9) amputation due to trauma. Data from individual, semi-structured interviews was analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: The role of a worker was entrenched in participants' identities, its value reflected in the sense of loss and destabilising of self, experienced following amputation. Lack of productivity and routine was distressing, but also motivating for returning to work. Participants felt secondary health complications, complex return to work systems, and perceptions of unemployability hindered their return. Facilitative strategies included prosthetic use, environmental modifications, delegating tasks and transition to less physically demanding roles. Re-establishing capacity and identity in the workplace also included re-negotiating workplace relationships. Supportive workplace culture and colleagues were invaluable to this process. Whilst some participants were unable to return to work, for others the process was an opportunity for positive change. CONCLUSION: Traumatic amputation has a significant impact on work participation. Recommendations based on the study's findings will inform the role of clinicians supporting vocational rehabilitation for people following traumatic amputation.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract A131: Sigvotatug vedotin, an integrin-beta 6 directed antibody drug conjugate, demonstrates potent single-agent antitumor activity across NSCLC subtypes and the potential to combine with targeted therapies

  Molecular Cancer Therapeutics · 2025-10-22

  article

  Abstract Sigvotatug vedotin (SV) is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to integrin-β6 (IB6), a member of the integrin family of adhesion proteins that is highly expressed in multiple solid tumors. SV delivers the clinically validated payload MMAE, which causes microtubule disruption, cell cycle arrest, and direct tumor cell apoptosis. SV is currently being evaluated in NSCLC as a monotherapy and NSCLC and HNSCC in combination with pembrolizumab. To better understand SV efficacy in these key indications, we profiled the internalization rate and in vitro activity of SV in a panel of NSCLC and HNSCC cell lines and PDX models. SV demonstrated anti-tumor activity in models with varying levels of IB6 expression and different histology subtypes, as well as in models with KRAS, EGFR, and ALK actionable genomic alterations. SV in combination with targeted therapies in NSCLC cell lines demonstrated combination benefit. In addition to direct anti-tumor activity on IB6-expressing cells, SV induced cell death in IB6-negative cancer cells in an admixed cell culture model of bystander activity. SV also induced tumor growth inhibition in PDX models with heterogenous IB6 expression. These results demonstrate broad efficacy of SV in nonclinical models of NSCLC with varying levels of IB6 expression, mutations, and histology subtypes. Additionally, SV may contribute to antitumor activity by depleting neighboring IB6-negative tumor cells via the bystander effect. These findings support the continued development of SV in NSCLC and provide scientific rationale to further explore SV efficacy in lung tumors with actionable genomic alterations. Citation Format: Gina M. LoMastro, Rebecca Mazahreh, Nic Garcia, Gillian Yang, Lauren Loh, Serena Wo, Lori Westendorf, Anita Kulukian, Sarah Anderson, Devra Olson, Kelly Hensley, Li-Ya Huang, Wenjing Yang, Betsy Gray, Robert P. Lyon, Vivian H. Trang, Joseph R. Dekker. Sigvotatug vedotin, an integrin-beta 6 directed antibody drug conjugate, demonstrates potent single-agent antitumor activity across NSCLC subtypes and the potential to combine with targeted therapies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2025 Oct 22-26; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2025;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A131.

  PublisherDOI

• Automated Stimulus Delivery for Taste-Based Neuroimaging in Sensory and Consumer Neuroscience

  2025-08-25

  article1st authorCorresponding

  In consumer neuroscience, taste-based studies are typically constrained by manual stimulus delivery, which establishes movement artifacts and timing inconsistencies that ultimately impede data quality. These limitations are primarily relevant in research where physiological markers and sensory responses should be recorded with high accuracy. In this paper, we reveal a methodological finding: a feeding system developed to deliver taste stimuli in a regulated, automated, and hands-free manner. The system is incorporated with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), electrodermal activity (EDA), and electromyography (EMG) recordings. Aimed at improving integration between neurophysiological recording and stimulus presentation, the feeding system is designed to work seamlessly with PsychoPy and Transistor-Transistor-Logic (TTL) trigger systems. Preliminary validation of the system is in progress in a study that compares sensory and physiological responses to plant-based meat and chicken meat (puree) under different priming conditions. This method attempts to minimize signal noise, strengthen ecological validity, and reinforce more naturalistic paradigms in taste-based neuromarketing, sensory research, and consumer neuroscience.

  PublisherDOI

• For adults with contact lens discomfort, what are the benefits and harms of lubricating drops?

  Cochrane Clinical Answers · 2025-02-04

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Domination and Total Domination Numbers in Zero-divisor Graphs of Commutative Rings

  ArXiv.org · 2025-06-03

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Zero-divisor graphs of commutative rings are well-represented in the literature. In this paper, we consider dominating sets, total dominating sets, domination numbers and total domination numbers of zero-divisor graphs. We determine the domination and total domination numbers of zero-divisor graphs are equal for all zero-divisor graphs of commutative rings except for $\mathbb{Z}_2 \times D$ in which $D$ is a domain. In this case, $γ(Γ(\mathbb{Z}_2 \times D)) = 1$ and $γ_t(Γ(\mathbb{Z}_2 \times D)) = 2$.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• From Isolation to Integration: How Senior Centers are Poised to Treat the Loneliness Epidemic among Older Adults

  Innovation in Aging · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract As the aging population grows, there is a rise in mental health challenges, including loneliness. Loneliness contributes to decreased quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. One in three older adults in the U.S. are lonely. As physical places where older adults engage in activities promoting social connection, physical activity, and nutrition, senior centers are an underutilized resource for addressing loneliness. To understand senior center utilization in Ohio, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among older adults aged 60+ who regularly attend senior centers and those who have not within the last three months. Reasons for attending include social support, companionship, recreation, and receiving a nutritious meal. According to both groups, the purpose of a senior center is to provide a place for fellowship, camaraderie, laughter, and life enrichment to keep the golden years active. Among non-users, primary reasons for not attending include a lack of need, interest, and salient programming. Non-users believe senior centers are for “old” people who are clinging to life. This perception could not be further from the truth. ANOVA was used to detect differences in perceptions of senior centers between users and non-users. There were significant differences in perceived importance, with users more likely to agree that senior centers are important. Findings provide insight on the need for tailored outreach to combat the stigma associated with senior centers, their purpose, and the population they serve. This would enable more older adults to benefit from socialization and nutritious meals, improving mental and physical health.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Neural correlates of uncertainty processing: meta-analysis of fMRI studies

  Frontiers in Neuroscience · 2025-11-11 · 2 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Introduction: Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying decision-making under uncertainty represents a fundamental challenge in cognitive neuroscience. This meta-analysis aimed to identify the consistent neural correlates of uncertainty processing specifically during decision-making tasks. Methods: = 4,186 participants). Using the Activation Likelihood Estimation (ALE) method, we performed a voxel-wise meta-analysis of activation foci to identify brain regions consistently activated across studies. Results: The analysis revealed nine distinct activation clusters, revealing a comprehensive neural network involved in uncertainty processing. Key findings demonstrated predominant activations in the anterior insula (up to 63.7% representation), inferior frontal gyrus (up to 40.7%), and inferior parietal lobule (up to 78.1%). We found a functional specialization between emotional-motivational processes (clusters 1-5) and cognitive processes (clusters 6-9), with notable hemispheric asymmetries. The left anterior insula was more strongly associated with reward evaluation, while the right was involved in learning and cognitive control. Similarly, the right inferior frontal gyrus was linked to impulse control, and the left to motor planning. Discussion: Our findings extend the current understanding of the neural architecture of decision-making under uncertainty. The comprehensive mapping of neural signatures advances our knowledge of the distinct roles of key brain regions and provides insights into potential clinical applications, particularly for developing interventions for uncertainty-related anxiety. The study highlights important directions for future research in cognitive neuroscience and clinical practice.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• “It's something you can't wash off; you carry it with you”: a qualitative study into teachers' experiences of vicarious trauma symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria, Australia

  Frontiers in Education · 2025-10-16

  articleOpen access

  Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruption to education systems worldwide, and exacerbated existing challenges in the teaching profession. The dual demands of academic instruction and pastoral care placed a considerable amount of emotional burden on teachers, compounded by increased exposure to the traumatic experiences of students. This heightened risk of vicarious trauma among teachers has been underexplored, particularly in the context of Victoria, Australia, where one of the world's longest government-mandated lockdowns was implemented. Methods This study builds on previous research by examining how teachers' roles and responsibilities informally evolved in response to external pressures during the pandemic. Drawing on interview and focus group data from 25 educators in public and private schools across Victoria in 2022, the findings were coded via NVIVO software version 12 and thematically analyzed. Results Findings suggest that roles of educators evolved during the pandemic as their responsibilities expanded beyond academic instruction to include more pastoral care for students. This, in turn, disclosed different pathways through which educators were exposed to traumatic content from their students, families and other educators. As a result, many participants felt vicarious trauma symptoms, which is explored as various negative emotions. Conclusion This study highlights the risk of vicarious trauma becoming an issue within the teaching profession. It underscores the need for further research to understand how vicarious trauma is affecting the teaching profession.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Covid-19 and the virtual generation

  2025-02-20

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Designing & Developing an Enhanced Virtual Simulation Training System to Improve Home Health Care Worker Safety

  American Journal of Occupational Therapy · 2025-07-30

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract Date Presented 04/03/2025 We describe the design, development, and evaluation of an enhanced home health care virtual simulation training system to detect and manage hazards in client homes. Participants provided feedback for program development and future implementation. Primary Author and Speaker: Sarah E. Anderson Additional Authors and Speakers: Savannah Meinen, Scarlett O’Hara, Sarah Ash, Tina Maly, Tejeswini Siva Sathya, Amy Darragh Contributing Authors: Carolyn Sommerich, Barbara Polivka, Steve Lavender, Marilly Palettas, Lisa Von Lehmden, Katie Gallenstein

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Parent-child mealtime interactions: longitudinal observations to inform obesity prevention

  NIH · $2.8M · 2017–2022

• NIH Grant R21DK104188

  NIH · $439k · 2018

• NIH Grant R01DK088913

  NIH · $1.3M · 2015

Frequent coauthors

• Aviva Must

  Tufts University

  89 shared

• Linda G. Bandini

  University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

  61 shared

• Steffanie Munguía

  49 shared

• Rich Pouyat

  49 shared

• Emily E. Graves

  University of California, Davis

  49 shared

• Stephen Elser

  Rutgers Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

  49 shared

• Ann Marie Gawel

  American Museum of Natural History

  49 shared

• Aaron Baumgardner

  49 shared