2026 Conference Award Recipients
D. Jean Wood Scholarship Award
Oluchukwu Loveth Obiora, PhD, RN, EBP-C
Texas Woman’s University
Distinguished Researcher Award
Sharron L. Docherty, PhD, PNP, RN, FAAN
Duke University School of Nursing
Early Science Investigator Award
Higinio Fernández-Sánchez, PhD, RN, FAAN
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Mid-Career Researcher Award
Hanzhang Xu, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN
Duke University School of Nursing
Clinical Researcher Award
Sharon Vanairsdale Carrasco, DNP, APRN, ANCS-BC, ANP-C, CEN, FAEN, FAAN, FNAP
Emory University
Research in Empathetic Care for Populations with Distinct Health Needs
John R. Lowe, PhD, RN, FAAN
The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
Leadership in Research Award
Tracy Robin Bartlett, PhD, RN, FAAN
The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing
Research in Nursing and Health Authorship Award
Alexa Stuifbergen, PhD, RN, FAAN
The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
Awardee Spotlights
Distinguished Researcher Award
Sharron L. Docherty, PhD, PNP, RN, FAAN
What inspired you to become a nurse scientist?
My path began at the bedside, caring for children, adolescents, and young adults with complex chronic illness and their families. I saw the powerful role nurses play not only in clinical care but in supporting emotional and relational well-being. At the same time, I was driven by unanswered questions about reducing suffering, integrating family expertise, and designing care that fully leverages nursing’s unique strengths. Becoming a nurse scientist allowed me to pursue those questions with rigor and purpose, transforming clinical insight into meaningful research that improves care.
Research Interests
- Nurse-led models of care to strengthen health, well-being, and resilience
- Personalized, collaborative palliative care for critically ill populations
- Qualitative and mixed-methods innovations to better capture lived experiences
Advice for Future Nurse Scientists
- Follow the questions that stay with you
- Let practice guide your science
- Prioritize methodological rigor
- Build strong collaborations
- Learn from failure
- Seek and provide mentorship
- Protect your joy in the work
In Three Words
Curious, Compassionate, Determined
Early Science Investigator Award
Higinio Fernández-Sánchez, PhD, RN, FAAN
What inspired you to become a nurse scientist?
I discovered nursing science at my first research conference, where I saw how nurses could generate evidence that transforms systems and improves outcomes at scale. That experience expanded my understanding of nursing and inspired me to pursue research focused on addressing structural health inequities.
Research Interests
- Migrant health
- HIV prevention
- Human trafficking prevention
- Structural vulnerability and access to care
- Community-engaged, policy-informed interventions
Advice for Future Nurse Scientists
- Seek multiple mentors
- Build skills early in methods, grant writing, and leadership
- Develop strong collaborative networks
In Three Words
Advocate. Nurse-Scientist. Resilient.
Future Vision
I aim to build a community-engaged, interdisciplinary, and policy-informed research program that addresses structural drivers of health inequities and advances health equity for migrant populations.
Challenges and Facilitators
Limited funding has been a major challenge. Strong mentorship and community partnerships have been essential facilitators, providing guidance, support, and grounding the work in lived experience.
Mid-Career Researcher Award
Hanzhang Xu, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN
What inspired you to become a nurse scientist?
At the bedside, I realized I could only impact one patient at a time, while many health outcomes were shaped by broader social determinants. Research became a way to influence care and policy on a larger scale.
Research Interests
- Social determinants of health
- Health disparities in older adults
- Cardiovascular and brain health
- Dementia care and cognitive function
- Integration of social factors into outcomes research
Advice for Future Nurse Scientists
Focus on problems that truly matter to you. Let curiosity and urgency guide your work. Collaborate across disciplines and be patient—impact builds over time.
In Three Words
Bold, Persistent, Open-minded
Leadership in Research Award
Tracy Robin Bartlett, PhD, RN, FAAN
What inspired you to become a nurse scientist?
My work with adolescents in mental health settings showed me that even those facing significant challenges could thrive. This sparked my interest in understanding risk, resilience, and how to better support positive outcomes.
Research Interests
- Adolescent health and resilience
- Strengthening the pipeline into nursing
- Inspiring future nurse scientists
Advice for Future Nurse Scientists
Find strong mentors and stay focused on your long-term goals.
In Three Words
Curious, Compassionate, Driven
D. Jean Wood Scholarship Award
Oluchukwu Loveth Obiora, PhD, RN, EBP-C
What inspired you to become a nurse scientist?
My inspiration comes from my early clinical experiences in maternal and child health settings in Nigeria, where I saw how structural inequities shape women's health outcomes. These encounters fueled my desire to generate evidence that informs practice, advances equity, and amplifies the voices of women and communities often overlooked in healthcare systems. Over time, this passion evolved into a commitment to rigorous inquiry, global health engagement, and research that drives meaningful change.
Research Interests
- Women’s health
- Maternal and child health outcomes
- Lactation and breastfeeding disparities
- Structural and geographic determinants of access to care
- Harmful cultural practices, including Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
- Data-sharing practices among health researchers
- Global health issues affecting underserved populations
- Nursing-led interventions addressing systemic barriers, especially for rural populations and maternity care deserts
Advice for Future Nurse Scientists
Stay deeply connected to the communities and populations you hope to impact—your most meaningful research questions often emerge from listening. Seek mentors who challenge and support you, and cultivate collaborations that expand your perspective. There will always be some pushback, but do not let it push you back—press forward with purpose and confidence. Embrace methodological rigor while remaining flexible and curious. Finally, remember that nursing science is both an intellectual and moral endeavor; let purpose, compassion, and equity guide your work.
In Three Words
Purpose-driven, Compassionate, Resilient
Clinical Researcher Award
Sharon Vanairsdale Carrasco, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, ANP-C, CEN, FAEN, FAAN, FNAP
What inspired you to become a nurse scientist?
From the beginning of my nursing career I’ve been driven by a desire to understand why we do what we do and how it improves patient outcomes. As a Clinical Nurse Specialist, I became especially passionate about translational science and the process of moving discoveries from research into everyday clinical practice. That passion for bridging evidence and bedside care led me to a career in research, where I focus on generating and implementing evidence that meaningfully improves patient care.
Research Interests
- Implementation of translational research
- Enhancement of clinical workflows
- Improvement of infectious disease surveillance
- Screening, identification, and initiation of appropriate clinical care
- Maintaining patient and workforce safety
Advice for Future Nurse Scientists
My advice for new and future nurse scientists who wish to pursue research in their areas of expertise is to not be afraid to speak up, reach out, and advocate for yourself and your patients and patient population. I would also suggest identifying a mentor who can help advise and guide you on your path to research.
In Three Words
Adaptable, Dependable, Optimistic