Postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoctoral fellows have supported the advancement of biobehavioral nursing research programs through their interactions with the Center for Biobehavioral Clinical Research. This Center funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research, is designed to enhance research programs related to improving biobehavioral outcomes associated with critical health experiences. A consistent focus on the integration of biological and behavioral variables and health outcomes in the context of critical health experiences, both physical and psychological, provides significant opportunities for more holistic understandings of the phenomena of health-illness and nursing interventions.
Postdoctoral fellows have developed their own research programs with the support and guidance of experienced Center Scientists and with full access to the research resources of the Center.
Previous Fellows
Dr. Alison Montpetit, RN, PhD
The goal of Dr. Montpetit’s postdoctoral fellowship is to transition her research from the bench to the bedside with a focus on biobehavioral research methods. Dr. Montpetit’s research background in bronchial epithelium/airway immunology and clinical background in intensive care provides a logical transition into clinical airway research focused on exhaled biomarkers in the critically ill. Under the mentorship of Dr. Mary Jo Grap, Dr. Cindy Munro and other interdisciplinary CBCR affiliates, her research focuses on non-invasive measures of airway infection through the study of exhaled breath biomarkers in the critically ill population. Dr. Montpetit’s postdoctoral training includes, didactic course work in biobehavioral research theory and methods, research experiences at the bedside and in the CBCR laboratory, analysis of clinical data, grant preparation and review and the dissemination of research findings.
Dr. Takeshi Unoki, RN, PhD
Senior Assistant Professor, Deparment of Adult Nursing
St. Luke's College of Nursing, Tokyo, Japan
The goal of Dr. Unoki's postdoctoral fellowship was to increase expertise in biobehavioral research study design, methodologies and analysis. Dr. Unoki was able to conduct secondary analysis of heart variability in critically ill and mechanicaly ventilated patients, resulting in both presentation and publication of the study results. Exerpiences were also gained in idenification and quanitification of patient-ventilator dyssynchrony and continuous measurement of sedation outcomes in mechanically ventilated adutls. In consultation with Dr. Unoki's sponsor, 2 additional manuscripts were prepared related to automatic tube compensation (accepted for publication) and a review of ventilator associated pneumonia.
Dr. Jo Lynne Robins, RN, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Health Nursing
VCU School of Nursing, Richmond, VA
Dr. Lois Howland, RN, PhD
Biobehavioral Correlates of Maternal Stress Appraisal
The primary goals of Dr. Howland's postdoctoral fellowship were to: (a) to test the feasibility of recruitment and data collection procedures, and (b) to evaluate potential relationships among measures of psychological stress, physiologic stress, and potentially important cofactors in a population previously identified as likely to be experiencing high levels of perceived stress – mothers of hospitalized preterm infants. Further, we aim to identify acceptable stress management strategies in this population to guide development of a future stress management intervention study.
Dr. Rachel Cobb
