Research
The School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene focuses its research and scholarship on reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes.
Meet the Researchers
| Molly R. Altman PhD Program Director and Associate Professor Dr. Altman’s program of research focuses on improving health care interactions for people who experience bias and discrimination, including communities of color and LGBTQ+ communities. Her specialty areas include abortion, pregnancy/birth care, and sexual/reproductive health care. |
| Katie Azama Assistant Professor Dr. Azama’s program of research focuses on occupational health and innovative strategies to enhance workforce retention, with a specific focus on the health care sector. |
| Katherine Finn Davis COLs Stephanie Marshall & Charles Miller Endowed Director of Community Partnerships & Specialist. Dr. Katherine Finn Davis’s program of research focuses on translational science related to implementing innovative approaches to embed evidence-based practices in healthcare settings and the effects of disrupted sleep on health outcomes, with a special interest in pediatric behavioral sleep disorders. |
| Samia Dutra Assistant Professor Dr. Dutra’s program of research currently focuses on exploring the microbiome-gut-brain axis relationship with neurodevelopment, mental health promotion, and women’s health. |
| Holly B. Fontenot Associate Dean for Research, Frances A. Matsuda Chair in Women’s Health, & Professor Dr. Fontenot’s program of research currently focuses on developing innovative strategies to reduce HPV-associated cancers and cancer disparities via vaccination and screening. |
| Gary Glauberman Associate Professor Dr. Glauberman’s program of research is centered on health emergencies and the impact of the environment on health and health disparities. |
| Cynthia Greywolf Assistant Professor Dr. Greywolf’s program of research focuses on the behavioral and clinical outcomes of Historical and Intergenerational Trauma and the historical determinants that have shaped and impacted Native Hawaiians and Native Americans, leading to present-day proximal health inequities, physical and psychiatric comorbidities/disparities, and problem substance use. |
| Frankie Hale Assistant Professor Dr. Hale’s program of research currently focuses on developing evidence-based well-being strategies to help prevent burnout and health disparities associated with poor well-being and mental health. |
| Merle Kataoka-Yahiro Professor Dr. Kataoka-Yahiro’s program of research focuses on Native Hawaiians & Asian Americans at risk for chronic kidney disease and improving their health outcomes through culturally appropriate interventions. |
| Kyoung Lee Associate Professor Dr. Lee’s program of research currently focuses on developing a culturally tailored community-based perinatal education programs designed to reduce health disparities among underserved immigrant women. |
| Deborah Mattheus Professor Dr. Mattheus’s program of research currently focuses on developing strategies to provide equitable access to oral and health services using a nurse-run school-based health model and enhancing school and community engagement to improve the health and wellness of Hawaii’s keiki. |
| Donna-Marie Palakiko Assistant Professor Dr. Palakiko’s program of research currently focuses on developing an asthma mHealth tool for Native Hawaiians. |
| Randal Wada Professor Dr. Wada’s program of research focuses on developing interprofessional training simulations to facilitate end of life discussions for pediatric patients so that care is aligned with family goals and priorities. |
| Lorrie Wong Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & HMSA Distinguished Professor Dr. Wong’s program of research focuses on education research that examines simulation teaching methodology, cultural influences on learning, and interprofessional education. |
Student Research
HONU Scientists: Hui to promote Opportunities for the development of NUrse scientists
The purpose of this faculty-student organization is to provide a supportive environment for students to learn about and engage in nursing research.
This group is the primary organization that fosters undergraduate nursing students ability to learn about and participate in Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Office of Research
The Research Support and Administrative Team in the Office of Research supports pre- and post-award, grant writing, scientific writing, and statistical support.
Associate Dean for Research, Frances A. Matsuda Chair in Women's Health & Professor
School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster Hall 402D
Honolulu, HI 96822
Ph: 808-956-4917
Fax: 808-956-3257
Email: hbfont@hawaii.edu
UH Manoa SONDH Welcomes Gary Glauberman as Department Chair
The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa) School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene (SONDH) is excited to announce that Dr. Gary Glauberman has been appointed as the new Department…
SONDH Appoints Dr. Donna-Marie Palakiko as Inaugural DEIB Director
The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene (SONDH) is excited to welcome Dr. Donna-Marie Palakiko, PhD, APRN, as its new Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). A Native…
Meet SONDH’s Newest Researchers: Molly Altman and Katie Azama
Nursing faculty at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene (SONDH) have had a long history of producing cutting-edge nursing research that has been implemented…