The long-term goal of Dr. Koontz’s research is to minimize treatment-related side effects of radiotherapy. To that end she has a laboratory studying the mechanisms of radiation induced erectile dysfunction and testing interventions to treat and prevent this devastating side effect of radiotherapy. Her clinical research investigates optimizing prostate cancer treatment and utilizes collaborations with colleagues in surgery and psychiatry to pursue further understanding of how sexual dysfunction develops after radiotherapy and how to improve patient-provider interactions regarding the sexuality and intimacy consequences of cancer therapy.