UB is a dynamic, inclusive and diverse academic institution and a leader in innovative nursing research (flagship university, R01 research institution). I appreciate UB’s culturally informed approach to learning and the immersive experiences it offers for students. The faculty are invested in the students’ learning experience and offer a wealth of research and clinical expertise to help foster the students’ education, advancement into nursing science, and community involvement .
I am interested in studying high-risk behaviors among young adults (risk factors, psychological determinants) including disordered eating behaviors and substance use. Eating disorders, specifically restrictive eating disorders, have the highest mortality of any psychiatric illness--yet this field is under-researched and under-funded. EDs and other high-risk behaviors can be difficult to detect among young adults because of neurobiological changes taking place during this period of development. Improved knowledge of ED pathology, early detection and prevention measures can save lives.
My former clinical role as PMHNP focused on eating disorder treatment within a collaborative model. Moving into the academic domain, involvement in the Neuroscience Education Institute, Academy for Eating Disorders and National Eating Disorder Association helps keep me abreast on the newest research trends and patient/caregiver advocacy.
I am a proponent of collaborative research. My goal is to work alongside psychologists, medical providers, nurse researchers and other disciplines to meet the demands of this challenging field of research. I feel most inspired when working in a team-based setting. That being said, I hope to continue research in the academic setting while fulfilling scholarship and teaching responsibilities. In time, the data we uncover would hopefully be disseminated to a wider audience to broadcast the importance of increased research in this field of study.
Earning a PhD. in nursing extends beyond scholarship and research. It is a call to live a life open to illumination and curiosity. I will dedicate my academic career towards spanning the educational, clinical and scholarly domains of nursing to help bridge the gap between practice and translational research. My primary goal is to continue clinical practice in the community, while generating research and remaining on the forefront of nursing scholarship.
This scholarship has graciously opened more doors in the academic arena and offers a chance to maximize the PhD experience through service learning, field work and ancillary research projects. As full-time faculty in the SON, it will certainly be a challenge balancing both faculty and PhD student expectations, but I feel more confident knowing that I can march into these new career pursuits without added financial burdens.
