3 nurse researchers receive awards at MNRS

Three nurse researchers from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing received awards at the 2026 Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, which was held March 30-April 2 in St. Louis. 

Associate Professor Mary Fran Tracy, PhD, RN, APRN, CNS, FAAN, received the Senior Career Award from the Acute and Critical Care Across the Lifespan Research Interest and Implementation Group. Tracy provides strategic direction to translate nursing research into evidence-based practice improvements that enhance patient outcomes. An advanced practice nurse with extensive research and teaching expertise, Tracy previously served as a clinical nurse specialist in critical care at the University of Minnesota Medical Center for 18 years. 

Clinical Associate Professor Eunice Areba, PhD, RN, PHN, received the Mid-Career Investigator Award from the Adolescent Health Research Interest and Implementation Group. Areba’s research area of focus is healthy youth development. She is interested in how community and individual level factors influence the health of refugee and immigrant youth and their families.

President’s Post-Doctoral Fellow Nadeen Alshakhshir, PhD, RN, received the Early Career Award from the Palliative and End of Life Research Interest and Implementation Group. Her research program focuses on advancing positive health outcomes through spirituality for youth with cancer.