K. Leigh Greathouse, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Nutrition Sciences | Affiliate Professor of Biology Baylor University
- Waco TX
A cancer biologist, epidemiologist, and dietitian focusing on how diet and the microbiome influence cancer development and treatment.
Media
Biography
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
Rising Star Award
Office of the Vice Provost for Research, Baylor University 2015
Pure Gold Award
Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University
2022
Baylor Fellow Award
Baylor University
2021
Education
Stephen F. Austin State University
B.S.
Nutrition and Food Science
1997
Texas Woman’s University
M.S.
Exercise and Sports Nutrition
2001
Johns Hopkins University
M.P.H.
Epidemiology & Biostatistics
2011
University of Texas
Ph.D.
Molecular Carcinogenesis
2010
Media Appearances
After her own cancer fight, Baylor prof driven to help others survive cancer, too
Baylor Proud online
2019-03-08
Her own fight against cancer may have shaped her passion, but Greathouse is working to ensure others can pursue their own passions free from cancer, armed with an understanding of how they can take steps to prevent it.
“Three events in my life have shaped my passion for teaching in the field of nutrition and cancer prevention: my strong belief in the power of ‘living a healthy lifestyle as the norm’ for prevention of disease, my battle with cancer, and my faith,” says Greathouse. “Baylor University gives me the opportunity to integrate all these experiences to not only deliver knowledge but also faith-based perspective that challenges students to examine their understanding of the intersection of science and faith.”
AI-driven Precision Nutrition Could Transform Cancer Treatment
Baylor University online
2025-09-08
A cancer survivor herself, Greathouse is a cancer biologist and registered dietitian whose research focuses on understanding how diet and the microbiome converge to influence cancer development, treatment response and survivorship. As a member of the Greathouse Lab at Baylor, Choudhury’s research involves exploring key bacterial markers in the gut microbiomes of colon cancer patients and identifying key dietary indicators for a healthy gut microbiome to improve their response to chemotherapy/ immunotherapy.
“Cancer patients face some of the most complex treatment challenges,” Greathouse said. “An AI tool can integrate patterns across multiple domains – nutrition, cancer biology, pharmacology, genetics. Health care providers can make the most precise, informed decisions possible for each patient.”
Cancer helped me find my inner superpowers | K. Leigh Greathouse
TEDxBaylor University online
2026-01-30
What if your toughest challenges could uncover hidden strengths? Leigh Greathouse turned her cancer diagnosis into her purpose, advancing gut microbiome research while discovering along the way that real superpowers are shaped by the choices we make when we face adversity. Dr. K. Leigh Greathouse is an Associate Professor at Baylor University with joint appointments in the Department of Biology (College of Arts & Sciences) and Nutrition Sciences (Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences). A cancer biologist, epidemiologist, and registered dietitian, her work focuses on understanding how diet and the microbiome converge to influence cancer development, treatment response, and survivorship. Her research is driven both by her expertise in molecular biology and her personal experience as a young adult cancer survivor, fueling her passion for advancing precision nutrition approaches to improve cancer outcomes. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Articles
Associations between dietary patterns and quality of life in a longitudinal cohort of colorectal cancer survivors
Nutrients2024
Purpose
To characterize dietary patterns and examine associations with cross-sectional and longitudinal changes in quality of life (QOL) over approximately one year after colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis.
Methods
The ColoCare Study is an international, multi-center, prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed CRC survivors of any stage. A subset of participants with CRC in the United States completed patient-reported outcome measures at 6- and 12-months post-enrollment, including the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Dietary patterns at 6 months (around the time of treatment completion) were identified using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation. Adherence scores were calculated for participants within each dietary pattern, with higher scores indicating higher adherence.
Rethinking the rise of early-onset gastrointestinal cancers: a call to action
JNCI Cancer Spectrum2025
Since the early 1990s, there has been a dramatic rise in gastrointestinal cancers diagnosed in patients under age 50 for reasons that remain poorly understood. The most significant change has been the increase in incidence rates of early-onset colorectal cancer, especially rates of left-sided colon and rectal cancers. Increases in gastric, pancreatic, and other gastrointestinal cancer diagnoses have further contributed to this trend. We formed a multidisciplinary Think Tank to develop a strategic, coordinated approach to studying early-onset gastrointestinal cancers. This area of research is challenging given multifactorial etiologies. We focused on epidemiology and the environment, the microbiome, and survivorship as key pillars to structure a research framework.
Outer Membrane Vesicles From Bacteroides fragilis Contain Coding and Non‐Coding Small RNA Species That Modulate Inflammatory Signalling in Intestinal …
Journal of Extracellular Biology2025
Alterations to the community structure and function of the microbiome are associated with changes to host physiology, including immune responses. However, the contribution of microbe‐derived RNAs carried by outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) to host immune responses remains unclear. This study investigated the role of OMVs and OMV‐associated small RNA (sRNA) species from pathogenic and commensal Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF and NTBF, respectively) in eliciting different immune responses from intestinal epithelial cells. To distinguish the differences in the sRNA profiles of the two strains and their OMVs, RNA‐seq, qRT‐PCR, and northern blotting were conducted to identify enrichment of discrete sRNA species in OMVs, which were also differentially expressed between the two strains.
Precision Antimicrobial Therapy Against Fusobacterium nucleatum Using Bioengineered Probiotics Expressing Guided Antimicrobial Peptides (gAMPs)
Microbial Biotechnology2025
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer‐related mortality, with Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) identified as a key contributor to its progression. This study explores a novel therapy that targets this pathogen by using a bioengineered probiotic that expresses guided antimicrobial peptides (gAMPs) to selectively inhibit F. nucleatum. Lactococcus lactis MG1363 was engineered to express gAMPs derived from Ovispirin and Cathelin‐related peptide SCF, linked to a Statherin‐derived guide peptide that binds specifically to the F. nucleatum membrane porin FomA. The bacteria expressed the AMP/gAMP under the induction of the PNisA promoter by nisin and secreted it via the extracellular secretion signal usp45. The resultant synthetic peptides and probiotics were assayed for antimicrobial activity against the targeted F. nucleatum and other non‐target bacteria.
Survival implications of the age-associated tumor and normal adjacent tissue microbiome among colorectal cancer patients
Gut Pathogens2025
Background
CRC incidence is rising among individuals younger than 50 years of age, with significant gaps in our understanding of the composition of the tissue microbiome across the age spectrum. The microbiome of tumors and normal adjacent tissue among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients may provide critical insights into the tumor microenvironment and CRC prognosis.
