Betty Irene Moore School of NursingMay 12, 2026
Assistant Professor Alex Fauer receives UC award to advance cancer care for older adults
Funding supports research on improving survival, quality of life and care delivery for aging cancer patients
(SACRAMENTO)
Older adults with cancer often face higher rates of treatment complications, emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Yet it's unclear whether interventions tailored for aging patients can improve survival or reduce health care costs.
A faculty member at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis is working to address that gap — and his effort has earned him top recognition from the University of California.
Assistant Professor Alex Fauer received the Early Career Faculty Research Excellence Award from the UC Office of the President.
The award includes a one-time $50,000 allocation in the 2026-27 academic year to support his research project: “Survival Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness of a Geriatric Assessment-Guided Model of Supportive Care for Older Adults with Cancer.”
The competitive award honors promising early career faculty whose research shows strong potential to improve lives and shape the future of their fields.
Improving outcomes for older adults with cancer
Fauer‘s research focuses on improving care for aging patients with cancer, one of the fastest-growing patient populations in the United States. His work examines how geriatric assessment-guided supportive care — including coordinated symptom management, care planning and family support — can improve survival, reduce emergency visits and hospitalizations, lower treatment complications and better align care with patients’ goals and quality of life.
We want to better understand how supportive, personalized care can help patients live better throughout treatment.—Alex Fauer, Assistant Professor
“Nursing science is deeply intertwined with geriatrics,” Fauer said. “Nurses possess expertise in assessing symptoms, disease progression and providing interventions and education to families, which often prioritize quality of life and functioning.”
His research builds on findings from the GAIN study, a national clinical trial focused on supportive cancer care for older adults. While earlier studies showed improvements in treatment tolerance and communication, Fauer said important questions remain about the long-term impact on survival, health care use and costs.
“For many older adults, cancer treatment is not just about fighting disease. It is also about maintaining independence, reducing stress on families and preserving quality of life,” Fauer said. “We want to better understand how supportive, personalized care can help patients live better throughout treatment.”
Building the future of geriatric oncology research
Dean Stephen Cavanagh said the award reflects both the strength of Fauer’s research and the growing national influence of the School of Nursing’s research program.
“Dr. Fauer’s work demonstrates how nurse scientists are leading innovations that improve care for patients and families facing complex health challenges,” Cavanagh said. “His research has the potential to shape cancer care delivery for older adults while advancing more compassionate, evidence-based and cost-effective models of care.”
Fauer said the award will enable collaborations with leading researchers across California, the globe and support future large-scale studies designed to influence policy and clinical practice.
“This award helps create the foundation for the next stage of research and strengthens the role nurse scientists can play in shaping future cancer care policy,” he said.
