Overview
The Cain Center for Nursing Research was opened in September 1995 for the purpose of strengthening the support services available to faculty for developing their research programs. Some services that are provided through the Cain Center are:
- Group grantwriting sessions, individual grantwriting consultation, mock study sections, and “think tanks” for faculty submitting research proposals for extramural funding.
- Support in preparation and submission of extramural faculty research and graduate student research training grant applications.
- Editing of faculty manuscripts and research proposals.
- Post-award fiscal management.
- Individual consultation in research methods and statistics.
- Individual consultation and group discussion to review summary statements from reviewers of previously submitted proposals.
- Assistance for faculty and students with obtaining Departmental Review Committee (DRC) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for projects involving human subjects.
- Workshops on grant-related topics of interest for faculty.
- Notification of research funding opportunities.
Cain Center Lab
The Cain Center Lab has supported the research efforts of faculty and graduate students at the School of Nursing as well as the wider community for several decades. Our hardware includes PCs loaded with statistical software, a qualitative software program, a printer, and a scanner. Our friendly and experienced lab assistants are on hand to help you in many ways. Please refer to the Cain Center for Nursing Research Lab Policies and Procedures for detailed information.
Preparing Data for Statistical Analysis: Watch the recording of Dr. Shelli Kesler’s, Associate Professor and Director of Statistical Services, January 12, 2022, presentation on Preparing Data for Statistical Analysis.
School of Nursing Research Committee
- Is available to provide feedback on Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposals from School of Nursing constituents (e.g., faculty, research scientists, enrolled students) during the planning phase prior to submission to the Institutional Review Board.
- Can advise early-stage professional-track and tenure-track faculty on human subjects’ research design and quality improvement.
- Advises the faculty and administrators concerning research-related policies and guidelines for the School of Nursing.
- Provides general information to students and faculty relative to the University’s human subjects’ protection review and approval process.
Below are important links to IRB resources:
- The UT Research Management Suite is the online system for managing IRB processes, including investigator submissions.
- For a helpful guide, please view the UT Research Management Suite - IRB Module Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).
- You can sign up to receive an IRB newsletter with IRB updates. Click here to sign up for the UT Research Management Suite Project newsletter.
- The IRB office holds open office hours, times and days may vary – please refer to the IRB website for more information.
Staff

Dr. Sharon Horner
Director
Office: NUR 3.102H
Phone: 512-232-4710
Email: shorner@mail.nur.utexas.edu

Dr. Heather Becker
Research Scientist
Office: NUR 3.102N
Phone: 512-471-9097
Email: hbecker@mail.nur.utexas.edu
Dr. John Bellquist
Editor
Office: 3.102M
Phone: 512-232-1835
Email: jbellquist@mail.nur.utexas.edu

Dr. Shelli Kesler
Director of Statistical Services
Office: 3.426
Phone: 512-232-5292
Email: srkesler@austin.utexas.edu
Cindy Taylor
Grants & Contracts Specialist
Office: 3.102K
Phone: 512-232-4710
Email: ctaylor@nursing.utexas.edu
Lab Assistants
Emma Cho
Email: emma.cho@utexas.edu
Bo Ra Kim
Email: lookviolet@utexas.edu
Research Restart
Below links contain information about UT’s and School of Nursing's phased approach to resuming research operations on campus in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
School of Nursing - Research Restart (EID)
Vice President for Research - Research Restart
Contact Information
Physical Address: School of Nursing 3.102C
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