Rutgers School of Nursing is a leader in advancing nursing science through innovative, interdisciplinary research that improves health and health care outcomes. Our faculty, students, and research centers address complex health challenges across the lifespan—from local communities in New Jersey to populations worldwide. Supported by a strong research infrastructure and collaborative environment, our scholars generate evidence that informs practice, shapes policy, and drives meaningful change in health care.
News & Announcements
January 2026 – Dr. Leorey Saligan, Vice Dean of Research and Professor, brings over 30 years of nursing experience, having evolved from staff nurse to nurse practitioner and scientist. A leading nurse scholar, he advances the field through innovative clinical trials and translational research. With over 150 publications, his work has shaped the understanding of complex symptoms using cutting-edge methodologies. Learn more.
February 2026 – Study examines how attending an HBCU can help reduce dementia risk.
January 2026 – Congratulating the following faculty members whose pilot grant applications were selected to receive the inaugural Faculty Research Endowment Awards.
Suzanne Crincoli, PhD, RN for her pilot project entitled NurseSHIFT: Feasibility of Circadian-Aligned Screening for Early Metabolic Risk
Peijia Zha, PhD for her pilot project entitled AI-Driven Socio-Spatial Adaptability Platform to Optimize Elderly Care Access
Grants
RCASIA/P30 Center Pilot Grant Program (February 2026)
- Dr. Min Hee Kim for her project entitled, Exploring dementia-related diagnosis incidence, and diagnostic care across subgroups of Asian American older adults.
Inaugural CHESR pilot grant awards (January 2026)
- Drs. Julie Blumenfeld and Kathleen Horan for their pilot project entitled Language of Care: A Community Partnership Model for Culturally Responsive Nursing Education.
- Dr. Keesha Roach for her pilot project entitled Bridging the Gap: Focus-Group-Informed, Feasibility and Acceptability of an Equity-Centered Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Transition Program for Emerging and Young Adults.
- Dr. Cho-Hee Shrader for her pilot project entitled Project SNATCHED: Study of Social Networks and Neighborhoods Through Technology-Centered Health Equity Research Embracing Diversity in Newark.
- Dr. Daria Waszak for her pilot project entitled Maximizing the productivity of the part-time, per-diem, and unemployed nursing workforce in New Jersey: Flexible work strategies to expand patient care access and equity.
The New Jersey Health Foundation grant funding awards (2026)
Dr. Margaret Quinn and Dr. Meghan Faulkner
- “Pediatric Preceptor Incentive and Education Program” (Grant # PC 305-26)
- “Advancing Nurse Practitioner Education Through Virtual and Digital Simulation” (Grant # PC 123-26)
- “Development of an Intelligence Care (I-Care) Program for Dementia Caregivers” (Grant # PC 113-26)
Faculty Publications and Presentations
Eastern Nursing Research Society
Rutgers School of Nursing is a proud member of the Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS), a vibrant community of scholars—nurses and non-nurses alike—dedicated to fostering, promoting, utilizing, and advancing nursing research across the Eastern United States. As a sponsor partner, Rutgers offers access to a rich network of resources, collaboration opportunities, and professional development that support research excellence and innovation at every stage.
Rutgers Nursing at ENRS 2026
Rutgers School of Nursing will be well represented at the 38th Annual Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS) Scientific Sessions, March 25-27 in Everette, MA. Signature sessions include our workshop, “Beyond the Binary: Advancing HIV Equity Through Multilevel Action,” which showcases research addressing structural, clinical, and community-level factors shaping HIV outcomes. Rutgers Nursing’s leadership in conducting research and translating scholarship into real-world impact will be on display during 15 workshop, podium, and poster presentations at ENRS 2026.
Improving Nutritional Outcomes in Long-Term Care Residents with Dementia
BS, MS, DNP, and Early PhD School-Selected & Clinical Nurse Researcher/Scholar Poster Session, (No. 600), 3/26/26.
Kimberly Barone, Lisa Easley, Maryse Bouton, Hollie Gentry, Yashfa Anwar, Natalie Swan, Christina Cestone.
Screening for Depressive Symptoms in Non-Birthing Caregivers in the Community: Recruitment Challenges and Lessons Learned.
Poster Session 2, (No. 172), 3/27/26
Julie Blumenfeld, Laura Lindberg, Erica Eliason
Nurses as Strategic Partners in Improving Maternal and Infant Health: A State Policy Strategy
Session B4- Policy, (No. 414), 3/26/26.
Maryse Bouton, Cara Padovano, Robert LaForgia
Diaper Need as a Social Determinant of Health: A Pilot Screening in Community Health Needs Assessment
BS, MS, DNP, and Early PhD School-Selected & Clinical Nurse Researcher/Scholar Poster Session, (No. 590), 3/26/26.
Joset Brown, Dione Sandiford, Caroline Meza
The Unseen Burden of Cognitive Overload, how to Reduce the Load.
Poster Session 2, (No. 131), 3/27/26
Ying-Yu Chao, Jin Young Seo, An-Yun Yeh, Weiming Wang, Kelly Cheng, Yu-Ping Chang
Help-seeking Experiences among Chinese American Family Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia
Session D1- Social Determinants of Health, (No. 72), 3/26/26.
Eleanor Christofferson, John Nelson
Self-Collection of Cervical Cancer Screening Specimens Among Individuals with a Cervix and HIV
Poster Session 1 (No. 304), 3/26/26.
Pamela de Cordova, Irina Grafova, Jennifer Polakowski
Nurse Participation in Well-Being Programs in New Jersey
Poster Session 1, (No. 86), 3/26/26.
Lisa Easley, Hollie Gentry, Maryse Bouton
Exploring Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Non-Birthing Support Persons: A Collaborative Study with Undergraduate Nursing Students
Session D2- Nursing Education, (No. 355), 3/26/26.
Monina Franco-Tantuico, Rula Btoush
The Direct and Mediated Impact of Debriefer Engagement on Student Learning Outcomes Through High Quality Debriefing in Simulation-Based Graduate Nursing Education
Session A1- Nursing Education, (No. 186), 3/25/26.
Caitlin Kenny, Rula Btoush
Traumatic Childbirth: A Literature Review Guided by the Social Ecological Model and Biomedicalization Theory
BS, MS, DNP, and Early PhD School-Selected & Clinical Nurse Researcher/Scholar Poster Session, (No. 603), 3/26/26.
Yuliya Markiv
Assessing the Impact of Nursing School Success Seminar on Self-Efficacy of Baccalaureate Nursing Students Enrolled in Their First Nursing Classes
Poster Session 2, (No 63), 3/27/26.
Isaac Nkrumah, Newton Ochoki, Cho-Hee Shrader
Patients’ and Healthcare Providers’ Experiences of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Technology for Diabetes Management in Africa: A Scoping Review
Poster Session 2, (No. 409), 3/27/26.
Leorey Saligan, John Nelson, Cho-Hee Shrader, Carl Kirton
Beyond the Binary: Advancing HIV Equity Through Multilevel Action
Workshop, (No. 95), 3/26/26.
Khristine Ronquillo
Development and Psychometric Testing of the Cardiovascular Health Beliefs Scale for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause
Poster Session 1 (No. 434), 3/26/26.
Barbara Sinacori, Diane Gillooly, Anthony Filippelli
Risk of PTSD or suicidal ideation post-concussion: A retrospective and prospective study
Poster Session, 1 (No. 149), 3/26/26.
Anju Wadhawan, Olga Jarrin, Rula Btoush, Komal Murali, Peijia Zha
Predicting Dementia Treatment-Seeking Behaviors among Asian Indian Family Caregivers Living in the United States: A Quantitative Analysis of Subjective Norms (Filial Piety, Stigma) and Health Care Access Barriers
Session D4- Adult and Older Adult, (No. 225), 3/26/26.
Susan Weaver, Pamela de Cordova, Daria Waszak
The Re-Integration of LPNs into Acute Care Teams: A Qualitative Exploration of Leadership Views
Session D5- Organizational and Workforce Issues, (No. 117), 3/26/26.
Kyeongra Yang, Rita Truex, Maryse Bouton, Diane Arcilla, Navdeep Kaur
Food Insecurity as a Predictor of Emergency Department Utilization: Evidence from Community-Dwelling Adults
Session B5- Social Determinants of Health, (No. 80), 3/26/26.
An-Yun Yeh, Chang-Hui Shen, Ying-Yu Chao
The Association between Gut Microbiome and Sleep Parameters in Healthy Young Adults: Proposal for a Pilot Study.
Poster Session 1, (No.176), 3/26/26.
Upcoming Events
Rutgers School of Nursing offers a wide range of research-focused events throughout the year, including lectures, symposiums, workshops, and more. Explore upcoming opportunities and stay engaged with our research community. View the nursing events calendar.
Faculty Research
Areas of Research and Scholarship
Our faculty are deeply engaged in research and scholarship that advance nursing science and improve health outcomes. To help you explore their work, we’ve grouped faculty members into key areas of focus—ranging from biobehavioral science to global health. You can use the filters below to view faculty by their primary research interests and discover the experts leading innovation across the nursing field.
Biobehavioral & Omics
Focuses on the interplay between biological, behavioral, and genomic factors in health and disease, integrating areas like genetics, biomarkers, and psychosocial influences to inform nursing care.
Data Science
Involves the use of big data, analytics, and informatics to extract meaningful insights from health-related data, improving clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
Health Systems & Workforce
Examines how healthcare systems are structured and how workforce issues (e.g., staffing, job satisfaction, leadership) affect quality, safety, and efficiency in care delivery.
Innovation in Clinical Outcomes
Focuses on developing and evaluating new interventions, technologies, or care models that improve patient outcomes and clinical effectiveness in nursing practice.
Maternal-Child & Family Health
Addresses the health and healthcare needs of women, infants, children, and families, including prenatal care, birth outcomes, parenting, and family health dynamics.
Nursing Education and Simulation
Explores methods to enhance nursing education, including simulation-based learning, curriculum development, and strategies to improve student learning and clinical competence.
Population & Global Health
Focuses on health trends, disparities, and interventions at the population level, both locally and globally, aiming to promote health equity and address public health challenges.
Our Centers of Research
Office of Research
The Office of Research at Rutgers School of Nursing provides centralized infrastructure, guidance, and technical support to advance the School’s research mission and enhance faculty and student success across the research lifecycle. This office partners with the Division of Nursing Science and the Office of Research Services, Contracts, and Grants to assist investigators in identifying funding opportunities, developing competitive proposals, securing awards, and managing post-award compliance and reporting. It offers consultation on study design, budget development, IRB processes, and regulatory requirements, as well as editorial support for proposals and manuscripts. By fostering research excellence and facilitating access to internal and external resources, the Office of Research helps expand the School’s scholarly impact and contribute to improved health outcomes and equity through nursing science.
Leorey Saligan
PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN
Vice Dean of Research
ls1684@sn.rutgers.edu
Steven Glogocheski
Ed.D.
Executive Director of Institutional Research and Sponsored Programs
(973) 353-1090
swg33@sn.rutgers.edu
Laura Buchmann
MBA, CRA
Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs
(973) 353-5302
lb713@sn.rutgers.edu
Jennifer Oluoch
Grant Specialist
jao146@sn.rutgers.edu
Questions?
If you have questions or would like to participate in ongoing studies, email research-inquiries@sn.rutgers.edu