Rubi Alva de Hickson, Carolyn Harris, Ya-Chen Lee, Jen James, Christine Miaskowski

Leadership in Action: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, and Student Milestones

Nursing Leaders
Oct. 30, 2025
By School of Nursing Office of Communications

Faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the UCSF School of Nursing are transforming health and health care.

Christine Miaskowski Named Living Legend

Christine Miaskowski, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor emerita, was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing. This honor recognizes nursing trailblazers who have made an indelible impact on the nursing profession and our society, and whose contributions continue to impact the provision of health services across the globe. The Academy's highest honor, Miaskowski received the Living Legend designation at a ceremony during the academy's annual Health Policy Conference, Oct. 16-18, in Washington D.C. Miaskowski is an internationally renowned expert whose groundbreaking work in pain management and symptom science has profoundly shaped the field of oncology nursing and advanced the scientific understanding of patient experiences in chronic illness. With more than three decades of continuous NIH funding totaling over $75 million, her legacy is one of innovative research, extraordinary mentorship, and unwavering advocacy, improving the lives of patients worldwide.

Marianne Biangone, Christine Miaskowski, Carol Dawson-Rose
From left: Associate Dean Marianne Biangone, Professor Emerita Christine Miaskowski, and Dean Carol Dawson-Rose celebrate at the American Academy of Nursing's Living Legend ceremony.

 

Four Inducted into American Academy of Nursing's 2025 Class of Fellows

Four members of the school community were inducted into the American Academy of Nursing 2025 Class of Fellows: Lorinda Coombs, PhD '18, MSN, FNP-BC, alumna; Brian Goodroad, DNP, MS '95, APRN, alumnus; Elizabeth Halifax, PhD '13, RN, assistant professor; and Donna-Marie Palakiko, PhD, MS '02, APRN, alumna. The prestigious recognition honors nurses for their substantial, sustained, and outstanding impact on health and health care. The four community members are among 296 nurse leaders who were inducted at the Academy's 2025 conference, Oct. 16-18, in Washington D.C.

Lorinda Coombs, Brian Goodroad, Elizabeth Halifax, Donna-Marie Palakiko
Clockwise from top left: Coombs, Goodroad, Halifax, and Palakiko

 

Ifeyinwa Asiodu
Ifeyinwa Asiodu, PhD, RN, FAAN

Ifeyinwa Asiodu Co-Leads National Academies Committee

Ifeyinwa Asiodu, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and a national leader in addressing maternal and child health disparities, co-led the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's report Breastfeeding in the United States: Strategies to Support Families and Achieve National Goals. The landmark report provides an evidence-based roadmap for supporting families and meeting national breastfeeding goals, with implications for U.S. health policy, clinical practice, and health outcomes for families.

Carolyn Harris Named Division of Cancer Prevention Early Career Scientist

Carolyn Harris, PhD, RN, assistant professor, has been selected as a Division of Cancer Prevention Early Career Scientist by the NIH National Cancer Institute. This prestigious designation recognizes individuals who are leading, supporting, and promoting rigorous, innovative research and training to prevent cancer and its consequences, improving the health of all people. As part of the recognition, Harris will present a research talk on the evaluation of biological, social, and environmental factors that underlie single symptoms and symptom clusters in patients living with cancer.

Carolyn Harris
Carolyn Harris, PhD, RN
Sandra Weiss
Sandra Weiss, PhD, RN, FAAN

Sandra Weiss to Receive Distinguished Research Lectureship Award

Sandra Weiss, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Research Lectureship Award from the Western Institute of Nursing (WIN). This prestigious award recognizes a senior investigator whose research career has made substantial and sustained contributions to the field of nursing. Weiss will be recognized at an awards lunch during the 2026 WIN Conference, April 21-24, in San Francisco, where she will deliver a presentation on her research career and contributions to nursing science.

American Sociological Association Honors Jennifer James

The American Sociological Association (ASA) honored Jennifer James, PhD, MS, MSW, associate professor, with two awards during the 2025 ASA Meeting, Aug. 8-12, in Chicago, Illinois: the Emancipatory Practice in Science, Knowledge, and Technology award and the Feminist-Scholar Activist award. These prestigious honors recognize James for her work leveraging technology and feminist research to foster social change.

Jennifer James
OiSaeng Hong
OiSaeng Hong, PhD, RN, FAAN

OiSaeng Hong Receives Fulbright Scholar Award, International Mentoring Award

OiSaeng Hong, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, received the Fulbright-Saastamoinen Foundation Distinguished Chair in Health Sciences Award. This prestigious recognition supports Hong's engagement in international health sciences academic collaborations at the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio, Finland. Over two separate month-long visits during 2025-2027, Hong will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of renowned sauna health researchers in Finland to advance her research exploring sauna inclusion in health and wellness programs to reduce chronic diseases and promote health among career firefighters. Additionally, Hong was honored with the Lucie S. Kelly Mentor Award from the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. This award honors an individual who has had significant impact on the career progression of nurse leaders and the nursing profession.

Rubi Alva de Hickson
Rubi Alva de Hickson (right) receives the 2025 President's Award from NAHN President Veronica Vital, PhD, RN, MLS (left), during the NAHN 50th Anniversary Awards Gala, July 18 in Dallas, Texas.

 

Rubi Alva de Hickson Receives NAHN President's Award

Rubi Alva de Hickson, DNP '24, RN, ACNP-BC, alumna of the Post-Master's Entry to the Doctor of Nursing Practice pathway, received the 2025 President's Award from the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN). The organization's highest honor, the award recognizes Alva de Hickson's advocacy and leadership, including her work to develop an immigration toolkit to safeguard patients' rights. "UCSF was instrumental in providing me with the foundation, tools, and confidence I needed to make a real difference," shared Alva de Hickson. "The advocacy skills I developed, especially while working on the immigration toolkit, have enabled me to create meaningful change in the lives of many." 

Susan Chapman

Susan Chapman Receives 44th Helen Nahm Research Lecture Award

Susan Chapman, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, received the 44th Helen Nahm Research Lecture Award in honor of her outstanding contributions to nursing science, health policy, and research. Chapman received the prestigious award in the presence of colleagues and friends during a June 4 celebration on the Mission Bay campus. During the event, she delivered the lecture "Becoming a Nurse Change Agent: A Health Policy Journey." Learn more and view photos from the event.
 

BSN Entry to DNP Pathway Student Receives National Scholarship

Calli Jing, BSN, RN, current student in the BSN Entry to the Doctor of Nursing Practice pathway class of 2028, received the 2025 Empowering Professional Diversity Scholarship from the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Foundation. Selected from among a national group of candidates, Jing received this prestigious award in recognition of her contributions to pediatric cardiac nursing and leadership in her nursing role.

Calli Jing
Calli Jing, BSN, RN
Kristen Kirksey
Kristen Kirksey, PhD, MPH

Kristen Kirksey Selected for NIH Navigation Cohort

Kristen Kirksey, PhD, MPH, project policy analyst, has been selected for the Society of Family Planning's NIH Navigation Cohort. This program supports Society of Family Planning members in developing NIH proposals and strengthening the important scientific research exchange between family planning researchers and the NIH.

Kathryn Wise Appointed to American Occupational Therapy Association Commission on Practice

Kathryn Wise, OTD, MHSc, OTR/L, associate professor and director of the MS Healthcare Administration and Interprofessional Leadership program, has been appointed for a three-year term on the American Occupational Therapy Association's Commission on Practice.The commission promotes the quality of occupational therapy practice and develops practice standards for the field. This includes analyzing health system trends that affect the delivery of occupational therapy services.

Kathryn Wise
Kathryn Wise, OTD, MHSc, OTR/L
Meg Wallhagen
Margaret Wallhagen, PhD, GNP-BC, FAAN

Margaret Wallhagen to Develop National Tinnitus Clinical Practice Guidelines

Margaret Wallhagen, PhD, GNP-BC, FAAN, professor, was nominated to represent the American Geriatrics Society on a panel to update the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery's Tinnitus Clinical Practice Guidelines. The panel will work together to update and publish new guidelines by June 2026. 

Laura Wagner Named Deputy Director of UCSF Health Workforce Research Center on Long-Term Care

Laura Wagner, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, is the new Deputy Director of the UCSF Health Workforce Research Center on Long-Term Care. Wagner replaces Susan Chapman, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, who was the founding deputy director and is retiring from her leadership role.

Laura Wagner

Faculty Share Expertise at National, International Events

  • Marianne Biangone, PhD, RN, FAAN, interim associate dean of education programs and professor, shared her expertise at the Sept. 10 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's workshop "Addressing Training Site and Slot Shortages Across the Health Professions." Biangone's presentation was titled "Addressing Clinical Education Shortage in Pre-Licensure Nursing."
  • Orlando Harris, PhD, FNP, FAAN, associate professor, moderated the July 23 webinar "Mpox Isn't Over: What Communities Need to Know." During the event, community and public health leaders presented the latest data on California Mpox incidence and vaccine access, and shared community-centered responses to protect those most at risk. The webinar was hosted by the California Center for HIV Syndemic Policy Research, which Harris co-leads.
  • Jerry John Ouner, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor, organized the 8th Annual Africa Interdisciplinary Health Conference, Aug. 13-15, at the University of Lagos in Nigeria. This year's theme was “Advancing Sustainable Healthcare and Environmental Resilience in Africa: Integrating Health, Ecology, and Community Well-Being." Orlando Harris, PhD, MPH, FAAN, associate professor, Natalie Wilson, PhD, DNP, MPH, assistant professor, and Ifeyinwa Asiodu, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor, shared their expertise during keynotes and panel presentations.
  • Erica Sedlander, DrPH, MPH, assistant professor, traveled to Thika, Kenya, the week of Aug. 18 to meet with collaborators and conduct research. Sedlander and colleagues interviewed providers and patients living with HIV to understand their perceptions of how HIV and Antiretroviral Therapy affects fertility. 
  • Lila Sheira, PhD, MPH, assistant professor, shared her expertise at the International AIDS Society Conference on July 17 in Kigali, Rwanda. Sheira presented the abstract "Evaluating Global PrEP Implementation Progress Over Time: An Analysis of PrEP-to-Need Ratio from 2018-2023 Across Eleven Countries with High HIV Incidence and/or Burden."
  • KT Waxman, DNP, RN, FAAN, professor, presented during the North Central Association of California Nurse Leaders' 2025 Fall Symposium, Sept. 12, in Lodi, California. The theme of the event was "Joyful Hearts: Celebrating Every Role in Healthcare." Waxman presented her experiences, insights, and strategies on how embracing joy in our work directly impacts patient outcomes.
Ya-Chen Lee
Ya-Chen Lee, MS, RN, ACNP-BC

Celebrating Preceptors: Ya-Chen Lee

Ya-Chen Lee, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, is the school's June Preceptor of the Month. A School of Nursing alumna, Lee works as an acute care surgery lead advanced practice provider at Stanford Health Care.

"Lee has a calm and reassuring presence in one of the most high-stakes environments," says Rosalie Bravo, MS, RN, ACNP, professor emerita and specialty coordinator of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG ACNP) specialty. "AG ACNP students model compassion and critical thinking under pressure. Lee not only teaches the technical aspects of trauma care, but also instills a deep respect for teamwork, resilience, and patient-centered practice." Read more on the Preceptor Portal.

School of Nursing Community Members Capture New Funding

  • Jane Abanes, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC, assistant professor, received a grant from the Geneva Foundation for her project "Effects of Auricular Acupuncture on Emotional Distress in Service Members and Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." The award is $238,867.
  • Karen Barrett, PhD, assistant professor, received a K01 award from the NIH National Institute on Aging for her project "Impact of Improvisation Music Therapy for Persons Living with Dementia and Their Care Partners." The award is $121,822. Additionally, Barrett received a 2025 Carroll Award for Innovation, a $100,000 award that supports early-career investigators whose work is often considered too high-risk by traditional grant sources. The award will support Barrett's project "Using AI to Enhance Preferred Voices in Noisy Environments for Cochlear Implant (CI) Users."
  • Sneha Challa, PhD, MPH, assistant professor, received an intramural grant from the UCSF Resource Allocation Program for her project "Studying Barriers and Facilitators for Achieving Sexual and Reproductive Health Among Young South Asians." The award is $40,000.
  • Calvin Chiu, PhD, assistant professor, received a $50,000 2025 UCSF Hellman Fellowship which will support his project "Exploring Pharmacy-Based Self-Swab Cervical Cancer Screening in Rwanda Using Human-Centered Design and a Discrete Choice Experiment." Chiu also received a $50,000 Mentored Scientist Award in Global Health from the Institute for Global Health Sciences for his project "Assessing Feasibility of Cervical Cancer Self-Swab Provision Through Rwandan Pharmacies," a $5,000 UCSF Bay Area Center For AIDS Research-AIDS Research Institute HIV Research Boost Award, and a $30,000 School of Medicine AIDS Research Institute Retention Bridging Award.
  • Sarah Gutin, PhD, assistant professor, received a 2025 UCSF Hellman Fellowship to support her project "Implementation of a Relationship-Focused Couple's Intervention to Improve HIV Testing and Linkage to HIV Care and Prevention Services Among Male Partners of Women Living with HIV in South Africa." The award is $70,000.
  • Elena Flowers, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, received an award from the NIH National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Disease for her project "Investigation of the Role of MicroRNAs in Adipose Tissue from People Infected with HIV Who Develop Type 2 Diabetes." The award is $275,000. Flowers also received a $20,000 Clinical Nursing Research grant for her project "Exploring Diabetes Distress Among Inpatient Adults."
  • Linda Franck, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, received $1.5 million from Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), Inc. for 2025 to continue her groundbreaking global research on family-centered care. The funds will support "The Learning from Family Study Series," which investigates experiences and mental health of families of ill and injured hospitalized children around the world. 
  • Orlando Harris, PhD, MPH, FAAN, associate professor, received an award from the NIH National Institute of Mental Health for his project "Jamaica CARES Project: Enhancing HIV Care Continuity Among Priority Populations in Jamaica." The award is $25,000. Harris also received a rapid response grant from the UCSF AIDS Research Institute and the office of the UCSF Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Inclusion Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism for his project "A Longitudinal Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Anti-Transgender Federal Policies on the Health and Wellbeing of Black and Latine Trans People Across Four California EHE Counties." The award is $10,000.
  • OiSaeng Hong, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, received an R01 award from the NIH National Institute of Nursing Research to support her project "Talking Circle Intervention (TCI) for Hearing Health Among Native Americans." The award is $589,792.
  • Jennifer James, PhD, MS, MSW, associate professor, received a Clinical & Translational Science Institute Last Mile award to support her project "Dissemination ACROSS BARS (Anti-Racist Collective Research on Social and Structural Barriers to Addressing Reproductive Injustice and Sterilization). The award is $4,000.
  • Kourtney Nham, PhD Sociology student, received a grant from the American Sociological Association for her project "Toxic Reuse: Chemical and Carceral Afterlives on Repurposed Military Bases." The award is $16,000. Nham's advisor is Janet Shim, PhD, professor.
  • Erica Sedlander, DrPH, MPH, assistant professor, received a Pivot Innovation Grant from the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health to support her project "Addressing Unmet Infertility Needs Among U.S. Women Living with HIV." The award is $7,500.
  • Lila Sheira, PhD, MPH, assistant professor, received a $50,000 Mentored Scientist award from the UCSF Gladstone Center for AIDS Research for her project "Unmet Need for PreP Among Sero-Discordant Partners: Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to a Partner-Based PrEP Referral Program." Sheira received an additional $2,000 award to support this project from the Research Development Office Mentored Scientist Award Program in HIV/AIDS. She also received $30,000 from the School of Medicine AIDS Research Institute Retention Bridging Awards and $30,000 from the School of Nursing's 2024-2025 Gaine Research Fund, which supports pilot projects focused on areas of high-risk maternity and long-term rehabilitative care. 
  • Sandra Staveski, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor, received a Clinical Nursing Research grant for her project "A Light and Sleep Delirium Prevention Bundle for Young Children Recovering from Heart Surgery: A Pilot Study." The award is $20,000.
  • Lauren Suchman, PhD, assistant professor, received a K01 award from the NIH National Institute on Aging for her project "Strengthening Clinical Support for Providers Working with Women Living with HIV to Manage Menopause." The award is $121,850. Suchman also received a UCSF Bay Area Center for AIDS Research-AIDS Research Institute HIV Research Boost Award in the amount of $3,880.
  • Lisa Thompson, PhD, RN, FNP, professor, received an award from the NIH National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for her project "Estimating Cumulative Exposure to Household Plastic Waste Burning Using Silicone Wristbands in Guatemala." The award is $143,965.
  • Jarmin Yeh, PhD, MPH, MSSW, associate professor, received an award from On Lok Senior Health Services to support her project "On Lock HIV Caregiver Training." The award is $88,026.

 

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