Carolina Nursing research featured at University Research Week symposium

Four doctoral students from the UNC School of Nursing presented their research during the inaugural Graduate Research Symposium, held as part of University Research Week. The event brought together graduate students from across disciplines to share their work, engage with faculty and peers, and highlight the impact of graduate scholarship at Carolina.

Fadhah Alshammari presented “Beyond Family History: Advancing Genomic Competency in Saudi Nursing Education.”

Alshammari’s qualitative descriptive study explores how nursing faculty in Saudi Arabia are integrating genetic and genomic competencies into undergraduate curricula. Approved by the UNC Institutional Review Board (IRB #25-1587), the study includes interviews with nursing faculty and experts in allied disciplines. Preliminary findings show that genomic content is limited, faculty report insufficient preparation and confidence, and systemic constraints coexist with opportunities for international benchmarking and professional development.

Bingqin Huang presented “The Impacts of Work Conditions on Breastfeeding Duration in the United States: Evidence from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2016–2022.”

Huang’s dissertation work examines how precarious work conditions and state policies on paid maternity leave affect breastfeeding continuation. Using data from 60,649 participants across 11 states, early findings indicate that employment insecurity and lack of paid leave remain barriers to sustained breastfeeding among working mothers.

Randi McArthur presented “Health Equity and Employment Stability for Low-Wage Workers with Chronic Conditions.”

Supported by a National Institutes of Health F31 fellowship, McArthur’s project applies the Total Worker Health framework to assess how workplace accommodations influence health and employment stability among low-wage workers. Preliminary results show accommodations are underused, often due to limited awareness and organizational support, underscoring the importance of proactive policies and supervisor engagement.

Ziyuan Shi presented “Self-Monitoring Interventions and Their Impact on Self-Efficacy in Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome Recovery: A Scoping Review.”

Shi’s review analyzed recent self-monitoring interventions for post-acute coronary syndrome recovery. Findings reveal that while technology-based interventions are common, few explicitly aim to enhance self-efficacy—a key factor in patient recovery and reduced hospital readmissions. The study highlights the need for theory-driven, patient-centered approaches to cardiovascular care.

The Graduate Research Symposium, sponsored by The Odum Institute and The Graduate School, featured poster and oral presentations, awards for top projects, and a reception celebrating the breadth of graduate research at UNC.