Research Overview

Research day presenter

A rich array of interprofessional research opportunities are available at the School of Nursing. Faculty lead innovative research and evidence-based practice projects with students, interdisciplinary colleagues, community partners and clinical affiliates.

Research that Empowers Health, Improves Lives

  • At the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, our innovative research and evidence-based practice projects are addressing health issues across the lifespan in local, state, national and global contexts. 
  • Founded in 1909 and recognized as the birthplace of university-based nurse education, the University of Minnesota School of Nursing continues to lead the profession into the future. 
  • With a mission to generate knowledge and educate leaders to shape the future of nursing and advance health care to improve the health and wellbeing of all, the school envisions optimal health and wellbeing for all people and the planet. 

Faculty research

Our faculty are identifying solutions that lead to less invasive, more effective and less costly care. The discovery of new interventions and prevention strategies are empowering health and improving lives locally and globally.

Learn more about our research  Meet our faculty experts

 

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1st in Fortune 500 companies per capita among top 30 metro areas (Twin Cities) 

Changing lives through research

Alzheimer's, childhood obesity, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, opioid addiction and refugee trauma are just a few of the areas where University of Minnesota School of Nursing faculty are testing new treatments, interventions and educational programs to advance health in our community and around the world.

Research YouTube
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A Hub of Innovation at the University of Minnesota

The University has one of the largest, most comprehensive academic health sciences centers in the nation. While robust scholarly inquiry is central to the School of Nursing’s mission, it is enhanced by interprofessional collaboration with schools and colleges within the University and its health sciences schools comprised of pharmacy, medicine, public health, dentistry and veterinary medicine. 

From the world’s first successful open heart surgery, to the development of one of the most widely used anti-HIV drugs, health professionals at the University of Minnesota have made important discoveries impacting the health of people and animals worldwide. Our international reputation is built upon a long tradition of leadership in health care discovery and delivery.

Innovative ideas become reality

University of Minnesota Technology Commercialization facilitates the transfer of University technology and ideas to licensee companies — both established and startup — for the development of new products and services that benefit the public good.

The University holds 1,100 patents and 2,800 current licenses 
for University of Minnesota technology in medicine and health, biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, agriculture and other fields important to society and the economy.

Faculty Grants

Internal funding is available on a competitive basis through the Office of Vice President of Research, the University's Clinical and Translational Research Institute, the Office of Academic Clinical Affairs, and centers and programs across the University to support pilot studies and launch faculty toward external funding success.

Research Areas of Excellence

School of nursing research addresses health issues across the life span in local, state, national and global contexts. Areas of excellence include:

  • Health promotion among vulnerable populations
    Associate Professor Melissa Horning, PhD, RN, PHN, is conducting community-based participatory research to address social determinants of health that influence health behaviors, nutrition and obesity of individuals and families living in underserved communities. She is exploring the role mobile food markets play in addressing healthy food access and reducing health disparities.

    Additional health promotion among vulnerable populations research being conducted by faculty include how family meals can prevent childhood obesity, healthy youth development interventions to reduce risky behaviors and preventing falls in older adults.
     
  • Prevention and management of chronic health conditions 
    Associate Professor Niloufar Hadidi, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, FAHA, aims to reduce the burden of stroke in African American communities with research that builds trust and improves understanding of stroke risk factors and warning signs.

    Additional prevention and management of chronic health conditions research being conducted by faculty include exercise interventions to improve functioning in patients with peripheral artery disease, promoting healthy transitions into adulthood for youth with chronic illness, and telehealth and mobile app interventions for children with chronic conditions and their family caregivers.
     
  • Symptom management
    Clinical Assistant Professor Erica Timko Olson, PhD, RN, is discovering how nature-based therapies, like forest bathing, can improve mental health and overall wellbeing.

    ​​Additional symptom management research being conducted by School of Nursing faculty include development of mobile health strategies to monitor symptoms and improve health outcomes, management of urinary and fecal incontinence, and memory care management.
  • Health/nursing informatics and systems innovation
    Clinical Associate Professor Priya Rajamani, PhD, MBBS, MPH, and Assistant Professor Robin Austin, PhD, DNP, DC, RN-BC, FAMIA, FNAP, are leading a first-of-its-kind partnership to help harness the power of public health data to develop disease-prevention and wellbeing improvement initiatives.

    Additional health/nursing informatics and systems innovation research being conducted by faculty include improving quality and patient safety in multiple settings (e.g., acute care, home health, long-term care) and developing and testing natural data and informatics standards.
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News

Mary Whipple

Whipple’s  community-engaged research project is Understanding the Relationship Between Systemic Racism and Sedentary Behavior in Black Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes.

Whipple

Whipple named a BIRCWH scholar for research with older adults with type II diabetes

Contact Office of Nursing Research and Scholarship

ONRS e-mail: ONRS@umn.edu
Statistics e-mail: nursing_stats@umn.edu

Staff

Diane Treat-Jacobson, PhD, RN, FAAN
Associate Dean for Research
612-624-7613
6-118 Weaver Densford Hall

Emily Yund
Grant Assistant
612-624-8652
Yundx004@umn.edu
WDH 6-101

Margaret Celebrezze, MA, MPH
Executive Assistant
612-625-3919
celeb004@umn.edu
WDH 6-101

Michelle Mathiason Moore, MS
Biostatistician
612-624-0414
mathiama@umn.edu
WDH 6-121

Elaine Pioske
Grants Manager
612-624-7694
piosk001@umn.edu
WDH 6-101

Olga Gurvich, MA
Lead Biostatistician
612-624-2478
ogurvich@umn.edu
WDH 6-138