SCHOLARS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH AND IMPACT (SARI)
Multiple Principal Investigators (from left): 1.) Bridgette M. Rice, PhD, MDiv, APRN, FAAN, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, The Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professor in Nursing for Vulnerable Populations, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, 麻豆入口, 2.) Kamila A. Alexander, PhD, MPH, RN, Associate Professor, Natalie and Wes Bush Rising Professorship, Director, PhD and Postdoctoral Programs, School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, and 3.) Priscilla O. Okunji, PhD, CRNP, FNP-BC, FIMC, Professor, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Division of Nursing, Howard University. Co-Investigator (right): Margaret Brace, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, 麻豆入口.
Are you ready to use research to make a real difference in health? You鈥檝e come to the right place!
The Scholars for Applied Research and Impact (SARI) program is a one-year training initiative funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR 1R25NR021776). The Program is a cross-institution collaboration based at the 麻豆入口 M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (Dr. Bridgette Rice, MPI) and led in partnership with Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (Dr. Kamila A. Alexander, MPI) and Howard University College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (Dr. Priscilla Okunji, MPI).
Learn more about this grant and its impact in the University鈥檚 official press release.
The SARI program equips and empowers scholars with the knowledge and skills to conduct rigorous research to maximize the impact on systemic and institutional factors (SIF) that affect the health of communities across the lifespan (e.g., unstable housing, food insecurity, educational gaps). While nursing PhD students through mid-career nurse scientists are the key demographic, the program is also open to other transdisciplinary scholars.
Accepted participants will be funded for course enrollment and travel to 麻豆入口 for the in-person summer intensive.
- Participate in intensive in-person training and virtual education curated to develop scientists equipped for SIF research.
- Learn the fundamentals of SIF research and novel strategies to reduce poor health outcomes.
- Receive 1:1 mentoring to complete a research product.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Drawing from the rich resources at 麻豆入口, Johns Hopkins, and Howard Universities, our first aim is to train SARI participants on the fundamentals of SIF research and novel strategies to reduce health differences, laying the foundation for a cadre of nursing and other scientists to integrate SIF concepts in research, practice, education, and policy. Our second aim is to mentor SARI in the completion of an SIF research-related product. Hands-on mentorship and research exposure will enable scholars to continue to research and publish on their chosen topics after training, becoming leaders at their home institutions and beyond. In our third aim, we will evaluate the impact of the SARI Program and make recommendations for continuation and potential replication.
Summer Intensive
Rigorous, in-person program at 麻豆入口's Fitzpatrick College of Nursing with daily workshops, mentoring, and networking (June 7-13, 2026)
Monthly Virtual Seminars
Online programming that builds upon the Summer Intensive
Networking
Connection with peers and mentors from top institutions and professional societies
Peer Collaboration
Works-in-progress feedback and peer collaboration among like-minded scientists
Tailored Mentorship
Group and one-to-one mentoring from leaders in SIF research across the nation
Program Details
- 30 hours of in-person instruction
- 11 virtual education sessions
- 11 individual mentoring sessions
- 33 leading transdisciplinary SIF experts
- 1 certificate in SIF research
IS THIS PROGRAM RIGHT FOR ME?
Consider the criteria below. Please note that scholars must commit to fully engage in the 12-month training program, including attendance at the mandatory Summer Intensive and virtual seminars, and completion of an SIF-focused research project.
Nurse Scientists and Other Scientists
Dedicated individuals from varied academic backgrounds:
- PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, to mid-career-level faculty
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) applicants seeking to integrate SIF research into practice
- Nurses outside of academia and highly motivated undergraduate and master鈥檚 students may also be considered.
Research Orientation
You will work on current research with your mentor and get support to advance your independent research.
Motivation
This academically rigorous 1-year program will jumpstart your research in systemic and institutional factors in public health. You should be ready to grow your skillset and share what you learn with the broader community.
TOPICS OF INSTRUCTION
- Introduction to SIF and Historical Context
- Key SIF and Impacts on Health Outcomes
- Approaches for Measuring and Analyzing SIF
- Intersectionality and SIF
- Special Considerations for Focus Populations
- Climate, the Built Environment and Health
- Ethical Principles and Considerations of SIF Research
- SIF and Health Policy Translation
- Designing and Implementing Culturally Considerate SIF-Focused Research
- Effective Participatory Methodologies in SIF Research
- Professional Development - Becoming an Effective Team Leader
- Professional Development - Building an Effective Scientific Writing Routine
- Communicating Research for Translational Impact
- Grantsmanship
- Responsible Conduct of Research
APPLICATION PROCESS
Find a Mentor
Successful candidates will identify a mentor aligned with their research interests. Browse our program mentors below to identify your preferred mentor match!
Apply Online
The application requires responses to essay prompts and a CV, resume or NIH biosketch. You will be able to download a PDF of the application fields as well as save your progress and return.
Ask a Question
Please email sari@villanova.edu with questions about the application or Program.
Program Mentors
Bridgette Rice, PhD, MDiv, APRN, FAAN
MPI (Contact PI)
Associate Dean for Research and Innovation and Endowed Professor, 麻豆入口 University Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
Nursing
Health equity, mixed methods, healthography, mental health, intervention development
Priscilla Okunji, PhD, CRNP, FNP-BC, FIMC
MPI
Professor, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Nursing Department, Howard University
Nursing
Cardiovascular and Diabetes Health Equity Research, Quantitative & Population Research, Health Informatics & Academic EHR
Kamila A. Alexander, PhD, MPH, RN
MPI
Associate Professor, Natalie and Wes Bush Rising Professorship, Director, PhD and Postdoctoral Programs, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health
Nursing and Public Health
Gender-Based Violence prevention and response, HIV prevention and response, Health Equity, SDOH, Mental Health, Women鈥檚 Health, qualitative and mixed methods
Margaret Brace, PhD
Co-I
Research Assistant Professor, 麻豆入口 Fitzpatrick College of Nursing
Biostatistics
Advanced statistical methods for SDOH research, statistical methods for Program evaluation, quantitative research design
Foster Baah, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor, Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Nursing
Social determinants of cardiovascular health behavior, self-care, cardiometabolic disease and cardiovascular health disparities in marginalized groups
Linda Collins, PhD
Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Professor, Department of Biostatistics; Director, Center for Advancement and Dissemination of Intervention Optimization (CADIO), New York University
Psychology and Global Public Health
Intervention optimization; experimental design; implementation science; smoking cessation; HIV; prevention and treatment of substance use disorders
Nkechi Enwerem, PhD, RN
Associate Professor, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Nursing Department, Howard University
Nursing
Health assessment and pharmacology, research on health disparities among minorities and underprivileged populations, adolescents, maternal and child health
Dalmacio (Dennis) Flores, PhD, ACRN, FAAN
Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Nursing
Parent-child communication; prevention of HIV/STI infection and negative mental health among sexual and gender diverse youth
Orlando Harris, PhD, FNP, MPH
Associate Professor, Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing
Nursing and Public Health
Community-based participatory research, sexual and gender minorities, sexual violence (childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and IPV)
Sara Jacoby, MPH, MSN, PhD, FAAN
Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Health University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Nursing and Public Health
Structural origins of racialized disparities in trauma and violence victimization (e.g. firearm injury prevention, community violence exposure)
Jane Jih, MD, MPH, MAS
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Co-Director, Multiethnic Health Equity Research Center, Co-Director, Asian American Research Center on Health, University of California, San Francisco
Medicine, Public Health and Applied Science
Health equity among multiethnic and linguistically diverse adults
Trace Kershaw, PhD
Department Chair and Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences); Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health, Yale School of Public Health
Public Health
Social and structural determinants of health; adolescence and emerging adulthood; intervention development
Yzette Lanier, PhD
Associate Professor, College of Nursing, New York University
Psychology, Nursing and Public Health
Health promotion and disease prevention in communities of color, HIV/STI and unintended pregnancy prevention, dyadic analysis, intervention development
Jennifer Wenzel, PhD, MS, BS, RN, CCM, FAAN
Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
Nursing
Cancer screening and treatment and chronic illness self-management practices; treatment decision-making; minority recruitment and decision-making related to clinical trials health services issues for patients and caregivers
CONTACT THE PROGRAM DIRECTORS
Email the Program Directors (Dr. Bridgette Rice, Dr. Kamila A. Alexander and Dr. Priscilla Okunji) with questions or for more information.