For Dr. Kate Clouse, accepting a role at UNC Greensboro is more than a career milestone. It is a homecoming with a mission. Originally from western North Carolina, Clouse brings two decades of experience in HIV/AIDS research and an unwavering commitment to public health back to her home state. Clouse recently accepted the role of Associate Dean for Research and Scientific Advancement at the School of Nursing after spending more than 11 years at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
“I’m attracted to the exciting opportunities of growing the School of Nursing’s portfolio, which includes hiring more faculty focused on research,” Clouse explains. “I’m also deeply committed to public institutions of education and their role in advancing health for all communities.”
epidemiologist: HIV/AIDS research in south Africa
Clouse’s leadership journey began in 2004 as an epidemiologist focused on HIV/AIDS research. With over 20 years of experience, she has extensively studied the continuum of HIV care.
Her work analyzes population mobility’s impact on HIV treatment across diverse communities—from postpartum women in South Africa to Tennessee adolescents. She has developed innovative programs that use mobile health technology, care coordination, and financial incentives to improve patient care.
Since 2015, Clouse has been continually funded by the National Institutes of Health, including prestigious K01, R34, and two R01 awards. Now, she is channeling that expertise into a new challenge: expanding the research portfolio at the School of Nursing.
Clouse described her vision as strengthening nursing research and innovation to drive healthcare advancements that benefit various communities. “The goal is to enhance research excellence to support discovery and societal impact,” she says.
teaching, service, research
Her approach involves providing oversight for School of Nursing grants while offering essential guidance to faculty on striking the right balance for teaching, service, and research responsibilities. Another priority is mentoring early-stage researchers, particularly assistant professors, to help them develop their own research projects and secure funding in an increasingly competitive landscape.
The School of Nursing is already tackling pressing contemporary issues through research projects examining the retention of nurses in the military. Other projects explore cardiovascular dysfunction during pregnancy and increasing access to mother’s own milk (MOM) to newborns.
But funding remains an ongoing issue. “It’s always a challenge to find funding,” Clouse acknowledges, emphasizing the need to explore both internal and external resources. She believes her experience with NIH funding positions can help faculty increase funding opportunities.
Clouse’s appointment supports the School of Nursing’s goals to improve research and academic resources. That includes her plans to increase faculty productivity, encourage student participation in faculty-led projects, and boost the number of PhD graduates involved in funded work. Clouse brings strong skills and a history of securing funding to her new position, with a clear understanding of how research can improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
With her experience, she is well-equipped to help tackle urgent health issues and create a strong nursing program that can significantly impact health for all.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to my home state of North Carolina and help the School of Nursing achieve even greater success that ultimately benefits the community at-large,” says Clouse.
