2025-2026 Award Recipients
The Center for Professional Development and Scholarship (CPDS) recognizes faculty accomplishments in teaching, research, scholarly publication, and professional presentations. These awards highlight contributions that advance nursing education, research, clinical practice, and the health of communities across Texas and beyond.
Teaching and Research Grants
Amanda Alvarado, DNP, CPNP-AC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Recognition: Teaching & Research Grant Award
Funding Program: Nursing Innovation Grant Program (NIGP)
Award Amount: $459,840
Award Period: 2026-2028
Dr. Alvarado was recognized for leadership in securing a $459,840 Nursing Innovation Grant Program (NIGP) award for The University of Texas at Austin. This funding supports innovative nursing education and research initiatives that strengthen the healthcare workforce and create lasting impact across Texas.
Li-Chen Lin, PhD, RN, CNRN
Clinical Associate Professor
Recognition: CPDS Special Recognition for External Grant Funding
Funding Agency: Texas Office of the Governor, Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)
Award Amount: $225,195
Project Title: Disaster Preparedness Education and Emergency Response Training
Dr. Lin was recognized for securing external funding to enhance disaster preparedness education, strengthen the Medical Reserve Corps workforce, and develop sustainable emergency response training programs for healthcare professionals, students, and community members.
First-Author Publications
Esther Nwokocha, MSN, RN
Clinical Instructor
Publication: Nwokocha, E., Huang, Y.-C., Machona, B., Hernandez, J., Blank, A., & Lin, L.-C. (2025). An assessment of knowledge and awareness of human trafficking among health care professionals and students in Texas, 2020. Public Health Reports, 1-7.
Description: This study examined the knowledge and awareness of human trafficking among healthcare professionals and students in Texas, identifying educational gaps and opportunities to improve recognition, response, and support for survivors within healthcare settings.
Li-Chen Lin, PhD, RN, CNRN
Clinical Associate Professor
Publication: Lin, L.-C., Mandavathil, K., Hernandez, A. V., Bang, S. H., Flores Galvan, M. E., & Yoder, L. H. (2026). Engaging Latinx communities in medication teaching research: Practical insights for nursing practice. Advancing Medical-Surgical Nursing, 2(3), 100066.
Elesha Roberts, PhD, DNP, RN, CNEcl, CNE, CHSE
Clinical Assistant Professor
Title of Publication: Nursing Faculty Mental Health Literacy Assessment and Evaluation
Publication Venue: Nursing Education Perspectives
Publication Date: 2026
Recognition: Peer-Reviewed Publication
Dr. Roberts was recognized for the publication of research examining mental health literacy among nursing faculty. The work contributes valuable insights into nursing education and strategies that support faculty well-being and academic success.
First-Author Conference Presentations
Amber Sherman, DNP, RN
Clinical Assistant Professor
Title: Supporting First-Generation Minority Nursing Students Through a Diversity Peer Coach Training
Conference Venue: 51st Annual Conference, Transcultural Nursing Society, Portland, Maine
Conference Date: October 29-November 1, 2025
Description: The presentation explored innovative approaches to mentoring and supporting first-generation minority nursing students through diversity peer coaching initiatives that promote student success, belonging, and academic achievement in nursing education.
Teresa Bailey, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, CNE
Clinical Assistant Professor
Title: Collaborating Across Disciplines to Advance Practice-Ready Curriculum Mapping
Conference Venue: AACN Transform 2025, Anaheim, California
Conference Date: December 4-6, 2025
Description: The presentation demonstrated how interdisciplinary collaboration can strengthen curriculum development and create practice-ready nursing education that bridges the gap between the classroom and clinical practice.
Li-Chen Lin, PhD, RN, CNRN
Clinical Associate Professor
Title: Flourishing Through Growth Mindset: A Quality Improvement Initiative in Competency-Based Nursing Education
Conference Venue: Shine Academy Innovations in Health Science Education Conference, Austin, Texas
Conference Date: February 26-27, 2026
Description: The presentation examined how growth mindset strategies can enhance student engagement, resilience, professional identity formation, and success in competency-based nursing education.
Anna Mendoza, MSN, RN
Clinical Assistant Professor
Title: The C.O.R.E. Series for Academic Nurse Educators: Rebuilding Confidence, Resilience, and Community in the Academic Setting
Conference Venue: AACN Transform 2025, Anaheim, California
Conference Date: December 4-6, 2025
Description: The presentation highlighted innovative faculty development strategies designed to enhance educator confidence, foster belonging, and support long-term retention in academia.
Elesha Roberts, PhD, DNP, RN, CNEcl, CNE, CHSE
Clinical Assistant Professor
Title: Artificial Intelligence: Asset or Liability?
Conference Venue: Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) 40th Annual Conference, Austin, Texas
Conference Date: February 18-20, 2026
Description: The presentation explored the benefits, challenges, and future role of artificial intelligence in nursing practice and education, contributing to discussions on the responsible integration of emerging technologies in healthcare.
Jennifer Flippo, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, CNEcl
Title: Dream a Dream: A Therapeutic Community Partnership for Undergraduate Nursing Students
Conference Venue: Shine Academy Innovations in Health Science Education Conference, Austin, Texas
Conference Date: February 26-27, 2026
Description: The presentation described an innovative community partnership that enhances pediatric nursing education through experiential learning opportunities and expanded clinical experiences for undergraduate nursing students.
Carly Edgar, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Title: Next-Level Learning: Creative Integration of Competency-Based Education Across Graduate Nursing Programs
Conference Venue: Shine Academy Innovations in Health Science Education Conference, Austin, Texas
Conference Date: February 26-27, 2026
Description: The presentation showcased innovative strategies for integrating competency-based education across graduate nursing programs to strengthen learning outcomes and student success.
Amanda Alvarado, DNP, CPNP-AC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Title: Efficacy of a Nurse USGIV Program in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Conference Venue: Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2026 Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts
Conference Date: April 24-27, 2026
Description: The presentation evaluated a nurse-led ultrasound-guided intravenous access program and its impact on procedural success, clinical practice, and patient outcomes in a pediatric cardiac intensive care setting.
Chris Abbyad, PhD, RN, WHNP
Clinical Associate Professor
Title: Maternal Healthcare 2025: Published Reports, Articles, and Personal Accounts
Conference Venue: Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) 40th Annual Conference, Austin, Texas
Conference Date: February 18-20, 2026
Description: The presentation examined maternal healthcare conditions in humanitarian settings through published reports, research literature, and personal accounts, highlighting challenges affecting maternal and newborn health.