Signature Sciences
At the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, we advance research that improves lives — from individual patients to broader healthcare systems.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration and strong partnerships, our researchers translate discoveries and drive meaningful change in practice, policy and education. Their work is guided by four connected principles:
- Exploration: Asking the questions that haven't been asked yet.
- Collaboration: Working across disciplines and alongside the communities and health systems their research is meant to serve.
- Innovation: Turning evidence into new models of care, new technologies and new ways of practicing.
- Translation: Carrying discovery into practice, policy and education, where it can change outcomes.
Signature Science Areas
| Health & Wellbeing Across the Lifespan | Emphasizes prevention, resilience, and strategies that support healthy development and quality of life across the lifespan. |
| Prevention & Management of Chronic & Complex Conditions | Addresses prevention, disease progression, symptom management, and care coordination for individuals living with chronic and complex conditions. |
| Quality, Safety & Health Systems Innovation | Advances solutions that improve healthcare quality, workforce resilience, and patient outcomes across healthcare settings. |
Our Researchers
Dania Abu-Alhaija, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Occupational health & safety for healthcare workers
- Hazardous exposures at workplace
- Instrument development and testing
Tamilyn Bakas, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Professor & Jane E. Procter Endowed Chair
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Prevention & management of chronic & complex conditions
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Family caregiving
- Stroke
- Aging
- Clinical trial management
Sayonara Barbosa, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Signature Area
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Artificial intelligence
- m-Health
- Health/Nursing informatics
- Critical care
Anthony Faiola, PhD, MFA
Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Digital interventions
- Design-thinking
Jacob Gordon, PhD, MSW
Assistant Professor
Research Signature Area
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
Research Focus Areas
- Mental health
- Social media use
- Digital interventions
Beverly Hittle, PhD, RN, FAAOHN
Associate Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Worker health and safety
- Sleep, fatigue, and shiftwork
- Nurse well-being
- Digital interventions
Kimberly D. Johnson, PhD, RN, CEN, FAEN
Associate Professor & Director, PhD Program
Research Signature Area
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Emergency department triage interruptions and workflow disruptions
- Clinical decision-making, patient safety, and quality of care in high-acuity settings
- Simulation‑based education and workforce development for emergency nurses
Minjin Kim, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Prevention & management of chronic & complex conditions
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Population health
- Cancer prevention and control
- Digital health & artificial intelligence interventions
- Implementation science
Cleopatra Kum, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Prevention & management of chronic & complex conditions
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Family caregiver health and well-being
- Aging and community-based care
- Stroke family caregiver health
- Alzheimer's disease and related dementias family caregivers
Joshua Lambert, PhD, MS
Associate Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Prevention & management of chronic & complex conditions
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Biostatistics
- Data Science
- Machine learning
- Large language models
Rebecca C. Lee, PhD, RN, FTNSS, FNAP
Associate Professor & Director, RN to BSN Online Program
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Prevention & management of chronic & complex conditions
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Transcultural nursing, caring science, and culturally responsive healthcare
- Community-engaged qualitative and mixed-methods research focused on health equity and vulnerable populations
- Appalachian health, cancer care experiences, and social determinants of health in rural communities
- Nursing workforce development, cultural humility, mentorship, and relationship-centered education
Elizabeth McKinley, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Worker health and safety
- Environmental exposures
- Indoor air quality
- Violence
Elaine Miller, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA
Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Prevention & management of chronic & complex conditions
Research Focus Areas
- Family caregiving
- Technology-enhanced learning
- Health promotion and disease prevention
Caroline Morrison, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Prevention & management of chronic & complex conditions
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Oncology and stem cell transplant
- Management of symptoms and treatment-related effects
- Adherence and healthcare utilization
- Surivorship
Paul E. Norrod, DrPH, RN, FNAP
Assistant Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Prevention & management of chronic & complex conditions
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Occupational health and safety
- Mental health and suicide prevention
- Rural health
- Data science
Laura Ridge, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Nursing workforce
- Global blood availabiity
- Intervention
Carolyn R. Smith, PhD, RN, FAAOHN
Associate Professor & Associate Dean for Research
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Worker health and safety
- Violence prevention
- Digital interventions
Ashley Weber, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Health & wellbeing across the lifespan
- Prevention & management of chronic & complex conditions
- Quality, safety & health systems innovation
Research Focus Areas
- Family-centered care
- Newborn health promotion
- Neonatal intensive care
- Developmental care
Yuqing Zhang, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Signature Areas
- Prevention & management of chronic & complex condition
Research Focus Areas
- Oral health disparities
- Digital behavioral interventions
- Diabetes self-management and prevention
Beyond the Bedside Podcast
Listen to our podcast to learn more about our researchers' work to transform healthcare