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In this Q&A, we speak with Lindsey M. Ruppel, D.O., a family medicine physician with Mayo Clinic Health System, about her experience using a Community Engagement (CE) Studio to inform a new research initiative focused on breast cancer risk reduction. CE Studios connect researchers with community members, ensuring lived experience informs research in ways that enhance relevance and broaden reach. In this conversation, Dr. Ruppel reflects on how community perspectives shaped her approach, reinforced patient interest, and strengthened the study’s patient-centered foundation from the outset.
Tell us about your project and what led you to hosting a Community Engagement Studio.
My project is a pilot study examining the feasibility of evaluating how lifestyle changes - specifically, adherence to a Mediterranean diet and participation in a guided physical activity program - may affect breast cancer risk in a high-risk population. Our target population includes women ages 40-80 who have had a prior breast biopsy, breast MRI, or an elevated Tyrer-Cuzick score. We were encouraged to conduct a Community Engagement Studio as part of our Mayo grant application process, and it aligned well with our goal of ensuring the study was patient-centered from the outset.
How does community input fit into your overall research approach?
Community input plays an important role in making sure our research questions, study design, and recruitment strategies resonate with the women we hope to serve. For this feasibility pilot in particular, understanding patient interest and perceived barriers is critical. The CE Studio provided direct feedback from women representative of our target population, helping ensure that our approach is practical, meaningful, and respectful of participants’ time and priorities.
Was there a moment during the session that shifted your perspective or assumptions?
There was not a specific moment that dramatically shifted my perspective or assumptions. However, the session served as a valuable reminder to frame the study presentation and materials from a patient, not researcher, perspective. It reinforced the importance of using accessible language and clearly communicating the “why” behind the study in ways that feel relevant and empowering.
What feedback from the Community Experts stood out to you the most?
The most striking feedback was the strong level of interest and enthusiasm for a study like this. The Community Experts were very positive and expressed genuine interest in participating in or learning more about a lifestyle-based intervention aimed at reducing breast cancer risk. That reinforcement of patient interest was incredibly helpful and encouraging.
How has the community’s input changed or refined your research plans?
The input was particularly helpful in refining participant incentives. The Community Experts provided insight into what types of incentives would feel meaningful and supportive rather than transactional. Their feedback helped us better align incentives with participant motivation and engagement. Overall, the session strengthened our confidence in the feasibility and relevance of the study.
What advice do you have for investigators considering a CE Studio?
Overall, the Community Engagement Studio was a very helpful and positive experience. It provided valuable reinforcement of patient interest and offered practical suggestions to improve our study design. I would encourage investigators to approach the session with openness and a willingness to listen - it can be an affirming and constructive part of the research development process.
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At Mayo Clinic, better research begins with you. When your voice and lived experience are part of the research process, studies become more powerful, more meaningful, and more connected to real-life needs. Click here to discover opportunities like Community Engagement Studios to shape the future of health research.
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