Kimberly Kaphingst Named Distinguished Professor
One faculty member in the College of Humanities has been appointed with the University of Utah’s prestigious designation of Distinguished Professor. Kimberly Kaphingst, professor of communication, associate chair of the department, and researcher at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, was recommended by the Distinguished Professor Advisory Committee and approved by the U’s Board of Trustees, Mitzi Montoya, senior vice president for academic affairs, and President Taylor Randall. Kaphingst will be formally recognized for this honor at both the university-wide commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 1 and the College’s convocation on Friday, May 2.
The title of Distinguished Professor is reserved for exceptional faculty whose scholarly achievements and teaching contributions have earned recognition at the highest levels. Dr. Kaphingst’s body of work stands as a clear reflection of these values, combining nationally and internationally recognized research with a deep commitment to mentorship and education.
“Dr. Kaphingst is one of the premiere cancer communication scholars in the world,” said Avery Holton, Chair of the Department of Communication. “Her work exemplifies the kind of excellence we champion in the College of Humanities, bridging together important areas of research, scholarship, and education to serve multiple communities and many, many students.”
Since joining the Department of Communication in 2014, Kaphingst has played a vital role in the University’s research and academic community. In addition to her faculty position, she serves as Co-Leader of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program, Research Director of the Genetic Counseling Shared Resource, and Director of Cancer Communication Research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Her research focuses on expanding access to genetic services and improving the efficiency and reach of healthcare communication.
Among her notable projects is her work with researchers at the University of Utah and NYU on GARDE, a clinical decision support tool that helps identify patients at potential genetic risk for cancer. Building on this work, her team developed a chatbot education approach as part of an National Cancer Institute funded initiative called BRIDGE. This project aims to broaden access to genetic services through innovative digital tools. The resulting BRIDGE Randomized Clinical Trial evaluated whether chatbot-assisted communication could match the effectiveness of traditional methods in helping patients complete genetic education and testing.
Much of Kaphingst’s success lies in her team-based approach. As a dedicated team scientist, she collaborates with colleagues across campus and throughout the country. Her work is regularly supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), allowing her to pursue large-scale research with real-world impact. Many of her studies have been directly applied in healthcare systems, helping patients better understand and navigate cancer genetic services.
“Dr. Kaphingst’s research and mentorship are outstanding examples of the transformative work happening in the humanities,” said Wanda Pillow, dean of the College of Humanities. “Her contributions have made a tremendous positive societal impact, and we are thrilled that she has been recognized with this honor.”
Mentorship is central to Kaphingst’s professional mission. She actively works with postdoctoral fellow Yang Yi and graduate students Yi Liao and Tanzia Khan, helping to train the next generation of health communication scholars. These collaborations create an environment of shared learning, where ideas are tested, refined, and translated into practice.
“My team conducts studies that develop and test approaches to enhance access to cancer genetic services and information, including digital health approaches,” Kaphingst explains. “Being named a Distinguished Professor is meaningful to me as it recognizes both the impact of the research that we conduct and the importance that I place on mentoring and teaching.”
Through both her scholarship and mentorship, Dr. Kimberly Kaphingst exemplifies the spirit of the Distinguished Professor designation — advancing knowledge, empowering students, and making a lasting difference in the world.