Research Areas of Interest and Current Projects

Dr. Lisa Anders’s program of research focuses on improving support for parents who rely on breast pumps to provide human milk for their children. She has used qualitative methods to explore the experiences of both parents who pump and the healthcare professionals who support them. She is also interested in understanding how breast pump design and use—including breast shield size, frequency, and milk removal efficiency—affect lactation physiology, milk supply, and parental outcomes.

Dr. Forgive Avorgbedor’s program of research focuses on maternal cardiovascular health, cardiometabolic risk, and the impact of structural and social factors on health and health-related needs during pregnancy and postpartum. Her work has been supported by the NIH and the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators.

Dr. Kate Clouse’s program of research highlights operational challenges in HIV care within low-resource settings, including the impact of population mobility on engagement in HIV care. Throughout her extensive field experience in South Africa, she has designed, implemented, and evaluated interventions to improve patient engagement in care, including studies using mobile health (mHealth), case management, point-of-care technology, and financial incentive strategies. Her work has been continually funded by the NIH since 2015.

Dr. Stacey Marye Douglas’s program of research is focused on healthcare disparities among children with asthma.  

Dr. Tammy Hall’s program of research is centered on improving rural maternal health and advancing the tenets of respectful and relational maternity care, focusing on how patient–provider relationships and continuity of care shape outcomes for maternity patients. Her work examines barriers such as limited access, insurance discrimination, and technology gaps while exploring solutions to promote care for all. In addition, Dr. Hall investigates community disaster preparedness and resilience, particularly in vulnerable populations, to inform policies and interventions that reduce disparities and strengthen health outcomes.

Dr. Sherita House’s program of research focuses on health systems interventions to improve care processes and staff outcomes among health care professionals in civilian and military hospitals. Her research addresses improving care coordination among healthcare professionals with interdependent task and complex work processes. Dr. House’s work has been supported by the Tri-Service Nursing Research Program.

Dr. Kathleen Kenney-Riley’s research program centers on improving health outcomes for adolescents living with chronic illnesses. Her work explores the complex dynamics of patient-provider discordance, functional status, and the long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences. In addition, Dr. Kenney-Riley investigates the role of interprofessional education in shaping healthcare students’ attitudes and responses to intimate partner violence and child abuse, with the goal of enhancing collaborative care and trauma-informed practice. 

Dr. Susan Letvak’s program of research focuses on the health and well-being of the nursing workforce, as well as quality of care and patient outcomes. Her methodological expertise is in qualitative and mixed methods research design.

Dr. Debra Neblett’s research interests focus on type 2 diabetes in adults, with an emphasis on improving the utilization of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). She explores community-engaged research approaches that identify barriers to DSMES access, co-develop culturally responsive interventions, and promote equitable health outcomes across diverse populations. Her work aims to bridge gaps in care by fostering patient-centered strategies that empower individuals and communities in managing diabetes effectively. 

Dr. Stephanie Pickett’s program of research focuses on reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors, with a specific interest in psychosocial factors that influence weight management among young African American (Black) women. These psychosocial factors include weight beliefs, psychosocial, stress, emotions, and eating behavior patterns.

Dr. Karyn Roberts’s program of research aims to improve quality of life and holistic health outcomes for children with chronic conditions and their families. Examples of her work include a) examining the lived experiences of adolescents with severe obesity and their families and the development of co-designed mHealth interventions for physical activity and peer support; b) investigating genetic factors that influence body weight; c) designing and testing co-designed, nurse-led community-based interventions grounded in family and community strengths.

Dr. Connor Sullivan is the lead statistician for the UNCG School of Nursing. Trained as a clinical psychologist, his research focused on trauma and posttraumatic stress, and behavioral health more broadly. Dr. Sullivan also has a wealth of experience researching and conducting data governance with public health and health workforce data across NC and nationally.