Michael Hoerger, PhD, MSCR, MBA

Openings Available in Psycho-Oncology

Dr. Hoerger is accepting Health Psychology PhD students interested in research-intensive careers focused psychosocial oncology as well as pandemic mitigation. Applications are due November 30, 2025.

Undergraduate research assistants interested in joining the lab should apply by August 10 for the fall, November 30 for the spring, or March 31 for the summer.

Academic Bio

Dr. Hoerger is an international expert in psychosocial oncology as well as pandemic mitigation. He is an Associate Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Oncology at Tulane University, the Managing Director of Palliative Care Research at the University Medical Center of New Orleans, and the Co-Director of the Population Health Sciences and Disparities Program at the Louisiana Cancer Research Center.

As a clinical health psychologist, medical scientist, and healthcare financial analyst and strategist, Dr. Hoerger's career focuses on improving quality of life by reducing the emotional and physical burden of serious illnesses. Dr. Hoerger has written >100 publications in psychology and medicine, serves as a reviewer for 50 scientific journals, teaches research methodology and statistics, mentors research trainees, provides clinical services, and engages with the community on issues related to work, education, and health. He serves as Tulane's Organizational Lead for the NIH-sponsored Palliative Care Research Cooperative (PCRC), has reviewed $100 million in research grants for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and Co-Chairs PCORI's Advisory Panel on Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science.

Dr. Hoerger leads Louisiana's 1st psychosocial oncology trial funded by the American Cancer Society as well as the only active research award in Louisiana funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) focused on combating the lasting impact of the pandemic.