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Congratulations!

January 2026

We are thrilled to celebrate our lab trainees’ recent research accomplishments from the end of Autumn 2025/early Winter 2026!

  • Fiona Wang led a data analysis for an abstract submission entitled “Social Determinants of Health, Mental Health, and Cognitive Function in Older Adult ICU Survivors” alongside other members as co-authors from our lab.
    • Fiona’s abstract was selected for presentation at the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s Critical Care Congress in March 2026!
  • Jessica Japra led a data analysis based on her undergraduate BSN honors project for an abstract submission entitled “Chronotype and Cognitive Training Adherence in Older Adult ICU Survivors” alongside other members as co-authors from our lab.
    • Jessica’s abstract was selected for presentation the Western Institute of Nursing’s annual conference in April 2026!
  • An-Doan Nguyen led a data analysis for an abstract submission entitled “Associations Between Circadian Rhythm and Cognitive Function in Older Adults Recovering from Critical Illness: Potential Roles of Sex, Chronotype, and Polypharmacy” alongside other members as co-authors from our lab.
    • An-Doan’s abstract was selected for presentation at the American Thoracic Society’s Annual Meeting in May 2026!

We are also proud of two of our newest UW de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging Scholars:

  • Lydia “Li” Downs, DNP Student, was awarded a Healthy Aging Doctoral Research Scholarship for her project entitled “Enhancing Education on Post-Intensive Care Syndrome: A Nurse-Led Quality Improvement Initiative in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at Harborview Medical Center”
  • Delina Berhe, BSN Honors Student, was awarded a Healthy Aging Undergraduate Research Scholarship for her project entitled “Exploring Factors Associated with the Use of Physical and Chemical Restraints in Hospitalized Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias”

Congratulations to all!

Congratulations!

June 2025

We are thrilled to celebrate the recent graduations of five outstanding students from our team!

  • Emily A. Ahrens, Ph.D. Nursing Science

    Dr. Ahrens successfully defended her Ph.D. dissertation/NIH F31 pre-doctoral research and will begin her post-doctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University!

  • Jessica K. Japra, B.S. Nursing

    Jessica is currently preparing for the NCLEX-RN and will soon begin her RN career in the UWMC Northwest ICU!

  • Fiona M. Wang, B.S. Computer Science

    Fiona is deepening her research and clinical experience as she prepares her applications to medical school!

  • An-Doan N. Nguyen, B.S. Biochemistry

    An-Doan is building hands-on experience in both research and clinical care as she also prepares for medical school!

  • Bea Clarisse T. Santos, B.S. Psychology

    Bea is thriving in her new role as a Research Assistant in Rehabilitation Medicine at Harborview Medical Center!

We are immensely proud of Dr. Ahrens, Jessica, Fiona, An-Doan, and Bea – and know they will continue to make meaningful contributions within our lab and in their other interdisciplinary healthcare roles!