
PhD Degree Programs
Current PhD Students
Research Interests: Psychoeducation for family caregivers, and exploring how spirituality, hope, and resilience, combined with innovative telehealth approaches, can significantly improve their mental health and well-being.
CV PhD Student Publication Award
CV PhD Student Publication Award

Raheleh Bahrami
Research Interests: Supportive Care/Palliative Care for Individuals Living Alone with Dementia, Dementia-Specific Education for Frontline Healthcare Workers and Care Transitions for Individuals Living with Dementia
CV PhD Student Publication Award
CV PhD Student Publication Award

Sara Crance
Concurrent PhD/DNP student
Research Interests: Women's mental health, Maternal mortality, Reproductive/maternal mental health, Maternal suicide, Maternal/child health, Behavioral Health Integration, Health and Mental Health Policy, Suicidology/Suicide Prevention, Peer Support
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CV

Cindy Herrick
Research Interests: Immersive reality, Heart rate variability, Biofeedback, Chronic Pain, Neuromodulation, Digital therapeutics, Rural health interventions
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CV

Jane Hook
Research Interests: Alzheimer's Diseases Related Dementia (ADRD), Caregiving, Sleep Health, Social Connection
CV PhD Student Publication Award PhD Student Publication Award
CV PhD Student Publication Award PhD Student Publication Award

Yingyan Huang
Concurrent PhD/DNP student
Research Interests: Oncology, Dermatology, Cutaneous Toxicities, Clinical Trials, Research Operations, Implementation Science, Translational Science, Quality Improvement, Medical Administration & Leadership, Clinical Education
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CV

Alyssa Ingurgio
Research Interests: Social prescribing as an intervention for people with chronic illness (autism), social and behavioral intervention that addresses health disparities, and MHealth
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CV

Victoria Nakamoga
Research Interests: Cognitive changes within normal and abnormal aging, Early indicators of Alzheimer’s Disease, Transition in cognitive health to atypical aging , Non-pharmacological interventions to prevent and/or delay cognitive decline, Cognitive assessments and/or cognitive stimulation for preventive measures
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CV

Raena Nolan
Research Interests: I am interested in cognitive aging, Memory, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia, and how cognitive psychology is related with older adults' well-being.
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CV

Maryam Niazi
Research Interests: digital interventions, psychosocial wellbeing, stress, couples and other dyads, and cancer patients
CV
CV

Kavya Juwadi
Research Interests: Long-Term Care for Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, Family Caregiving, Social Determinants of Health, Implementation Science
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CV

Junyub Lim
Research Interests: Health empowerment among Hispanic and Latino caregivers of individuals with dementia, emphasizing culturally tailored and equitable interventions that enhance their well-being.
CV PhD Student Publication Award
CV PhD Student Publication Award

Alma Manzo
Research Interests: Maternal Health, Maternal Safety, Racial Concordance, Black Populations, Minority Health, Health Disparities, Community Based Research, Survey Development
CV PhD Student Publication Award
CV PhD Student Publication Award

Kadeeja Murrell
Research Interests: Primary and secondary prevention of substance use disorders with a special interest in young adults, adverse life, neurovisceral integration model and its application in addiction research, severe mental illness management, heart rate variability biofeedback for substance use disorders, stress, resilience coping, and post-traumatic growth.
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CV

Lakshmi Nair
Research Interests: Explores adaptive grieving through the expression of continuing bonds among bereaved dementia caregivers in an online forum setting, highlighting digital peer support in dementia bereavement.
CV PhD Student Publication Award
CV PhD Student Publication Award

Gemma O'Donnell
Research Interests: Indigenous health research, addressing health disparities, cultural sensitivity, community, engagement, policy and advocacy, holistic approach, culturally appropriate interventions, cultural competency, ethical considerations, cultural appropriate methodologies, traditional healing, social determinants, environmental factors, cultural safety, self-determination, cultural resilience, community-based participatory research.
CV PhD Student Publication Award
CV PhD Student Publication Award

Kristin Payestewa
Research Interests: LGBTQ Health, Sexual Health, Adolescent Health, School-Based Health, Substance Use, Mental Health, Mattering, Belonging, School-Based Interventions, Health Education, Social Emotional Learning
CV
CV

Sarah Portle
Research Interests: Pediatric healthcare philosophy, pediatric healthcare, health policy and systems, healthcare ethics, low-value care
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CV

Clare Schuchardt-Vogt
Research Interests: Simulation-based competency assessment, medication administration safety, expert modeling, simulation to mitigate workplace violence, and clinical situation awareness.
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CV

Chantal Skon
Research Interests: community policing and dementia, dementia diagnosis protocols in non-traditional, non-clinical settings, and health literacy practices among public safety professionals
CV PhD Student Publication Award
CV PhD Student Publication Award

Alisa Squires
Concurrent PhD/DNP student
Research Interests: Machine Learning, survival analysis, social determinant of health, cognitive health, diabetes and cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome.
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CV

Junyu Sui
Research Interests: Assessment, Prevention, and Mitigation of Cognitive Decline and Psychological Distress in Older Adults
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CV

Kristina Wechsler
Research Interests: Machine learning and causal inference for HIV care outcomes in healthcare informatics
CV
CV
