Larner College of Medicine

Deena Snoke

Assistant Professor of Medicine

A person with brown hair wearing a white laboratory coat
Alma mater(s)
  • Post-Doctoral Training, Muscle, Endocrine, and Metabolic Physiology, University of Vermont
  • Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Nutrition, The Ohio State University
  • B.S., Biology, Keene State College
Affiliated Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Division of Hematology and Oncology

UVM Cancer Center

Areas of expertise

muscle and adipose physiology; metabolic, inter-organ crosstalk; conditions of metabolic dysregulation (cachexia, obesity); body composition changes during cancer and age-related disease

BIO

Dr. Snoke’s translational research program is rooted in improving the quality of life and survivorship of patients with lung cancer-associated body composition changes by understanding the underlying mechanisms driving metabolic dysregulation. More specifically, her current research interests are focused how adipose-driven pathological events contribute to tumor growth and muscle wasting during cancer, and how environmental factors may intersect host metabolic processes to influence disease outcomes. Long-term, the Snoke Laboratory seeks to identify translational targets for novel adjuvant therapies to improve health outcomes in patients with cancer and influence health and dietary guidelines for chemoprevention and survivorship. 

Prior to joining UVM faculty in 2026, Dr. Snoke earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Nutrition at The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, followed by Postdoctoral training with Dr. Michael Toth at University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine. During her Postdoc, Dr. Snoke was the recipient of a competitive National Cancer Institute K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, which supports her current work. She is a founding member of the Cancer Cachexia Society’s Women in Cachexia Initiative, and a member of the Department of Medicine’s Early Career Research Committee. 

Publications

Dr. Snoke's Publications on Google Scholar

Bio

Dr. Snoke’s translational research program is rooted in improving the quality of life and survivorship of patients with lung cancer-associated body composition changes by understanding the underlying mechanisms driving metabolic dysregulation. More specifically, her current research interests are focused how adipose-driven pathological events contribute to tumor growth and muscle wasting during cancer, and how environmental factors may intersect host metabolic processes to influence disease outcomes. Long-term, the Snoke Laboratory seeks to identify translational targets for novel adjuvant therapies to improve health outcomes in patients with cancer and influence health and dietary guidelines for chemoprevention and survivorship. 

Prior to joining UVM faculty in 2026, Dr. Snoke earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Nutrition at The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, followed by Postdoctoral training with Dr. Michael Toth at University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine. During her Postdoc, Dr. Snoke was the recipient of a competitive National Cancer Institute K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, which supports her current work. She is a founding member of the Cancer Cachexia Society’s Women in Cachexia Initiative, and a member of the Department of Medicine’s Early Career Research Committee.