By Kaylee Alivo
Jess Gorzelitz, an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Human Physiology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is passionate about transforming the lives of cancer survivors. Her research, recently featured in Physician’s Weekly, highlights the critical role of physical activity and sleep in enhancing recovery for endometrial and ovarian cancer survivors—two underrepresented groups in cancer survivorship research.
Gorzelitz’s interest in exercise science began during her college years. With a background in weightlifting, she understood that exercise was good for overall health but was unaware of its profound benefits for cancer prevention and survivorship. This discovery fueled her passion for using exercise to improve quality of life and health outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer.
“Like many Americans, my family has a history of cancer, and I’ve seen how devastating it can be,” Gorzelitz said. “To help reduce the burden of this terrible disease with something as simple as exercise is a huge passion of mine.”
At the University of Iowa , Gorzelitz leads the Physical Activity and Cancer Survivorship (PACS) Lab, where she and her team design interventions to support cancer survivors through tailored exercise programs. Her lab focuses on improving survivors’ physical strength, mobility, and overall quality of life.
Her recent study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin–Madison, was featured in the publication for its notable findings. The research tracked women with endometrial and ovarian cancer as they recovered from surgery. Participants wore actigraphy devices, called Actiwatches, which measured their sleep, waking behaviors, and activity levels over a four-month period. The study also incorporated patient-reported data on symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, providing a comprehensive view of recovery challenges.
By analyzing this data, the team identified strong correlations: survivors with lower activity levels and disrupted sleep patterns reported more severe symptoms and a poorer quality of life.
“It’s not surprising that individuals with sleep disturbances or less physical activity have worse symptoms,” Gorzelitz explained. “What makes this study impactful is its focus on endometrial and ovarian cancers, which are often underrepresented compared to breast or prostate cancers.” These insights emphasize the persistence of sleep and activity problems well beyond the immediate recovery phase. Many survivors face ongoing challenges, making timely interventions critical.
“Most survivors won’t change their activity patterns without guided interventions,” she noted.
Her lab is currently working to address this gap by designing structured exercise programs tailored to survivors’ unique needs. Beyond the data, the study has had a profound impact on participants' lives. Survivors in the PACS Lab’s programs have reported feeling stronger, noticing visible muscle growth, and improving their mobility.
“It’s incredible how grateful patients are for these programs,” Gorzelitz said. “As a scientist, it’s rewarding to collect data and test hypotheses, but seeing the tangible impact on people’s lives is what makes this work truly special.”
To learn more about research and the transformative impact of exercise on cancer survivorship, read the full feature in Physician’s Weekly or check out the PACS Lab website.