UF College of Nursing faculty member named as Emerging Star in Health Disparities Research by Howard University
Shawn Kneipp, Ph.D., A.R.N.P., a University of Florida College of Nursing assistant professor, has been honored by Howard University as one of the Emerging Nursing Stars in Health Disparities Research for her work examining factors that affect women’s health.
Kneipp was honored March 11 at the Howard University Division of Nursing 10th anniversary M. Elizabeth Carnegie Research Conference celebration and recognition dinner. The emerging star awards recognize eminent nurse researchers across the country whose careers have been dedicated to eliminating health disparities. Kneipp was among 18 active nurse researchers and academicians who were honored.
Kneipp’s research focuses on the health disparities that exist among women of different socioeconomic groups. Her work ranges from examining the effect of welfare policy on psychosocial health to studying the stress associated with transitioning from welfare to work on mental and physical health outcomes.
“Dr. Kneipp’s program of research is unique in that it fills an important gap in our knowledge about the effects of stress on women’s health,” said Carolyn Yucha, Ph.D., R.N.,
University of Florida College of Nursing’s associate dean for research. “As one of our most promising young faculty members, I strongly believe that her work will impact policy that contributes to improving the health of lower-income and minority groups in the future.”
Kneipp’s dissertation research at the University of Washington examined the role of welfare policy on the psychosocial health of women, and she has received funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research to continue her work in this area. She also is currently completing a pilot study funded by the UF College of Nursing’s Biobehavioral Research Center to examine differences in chronic stressors, social support, cardiovascular reactivity and blood pressure regulation among women of different socioeconomic status. Additionally, she serves as a co-investigator on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded project to reduce cardiovascular disparities in underserved communities through the Alachua County Health Department.