The mission of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is to promote and improve the health of individuals, families, and communities. To achieve its mission, NINR supports research and research training through grants and fellowships.
The NINR DESP Team
Part of the NINR Division of Extramural Science Programs (DESP), NINR Program Directors are scientists who oversee the conduct of research programs within specific science areas. They are the main points of contact between NINR and the extramural research community, and serve as an advocate and resource for applicants and investigators seeking NINR research and training grants.
NINR-supported research is divided into five areas of science:
- Symptom Science
- Wellness
- Self-Management
- Technology and Training
- End-of-Life and Palliative Care
Individuals are strongly encouraged to contact the Program Director in their area of interest to discuss proposed research projects and/or training opportunities. If you are interested in a topic area not identified, please contact any of the Program Directors listed below and they can direct you to the right person.
Kay L. Wanke, PhD, MPH
Acting Director, Division of Extramural Science Programs
301-451-1856
kay.wanke@nih.gov
Dr. Wanke is the Acting Director of DESP. In this role, she is responsible for scientific leadership and overseeing policy and management for grants and contracts to support NINR research and training. Dr. Wanke is on loan to NINR — referred to at NIH as a detail — from the NIH Office of Disease Prevention, where she serves as the Deputy Director of the Tobacco Regulatory Science Program. At ODP she supports the coordination of the trans-NIH collaborative effort with the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) to foster tobacco regulatory research. Her training and clinical experience include child psychology, forensic psychology, substance abuse, serious mental illness, marriage and family therapy, and developmental and neuropsychological assessment. Dr. Wanke received her PhD in clinical psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. She received her MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health.
Martha Matocha, PhD
Acting Deputy Director, Division of Extramural Science Programs
Branch Chief, Symptom Science and Genetics; Self-Management
301-594-2775
matocham@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Matocha is the Acting Deputy Director of DESP and leads the Symptom Science and Genetics and Self-Management Branch. Dr. Matocha’s research background includes work on the post-translational processing of mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 proteins and differential gene expression in a mouse model of trisomy 21. She served 13 years as Principal Investigator of the NIH-funded AIDS Research and Reference Reagent Program, a resource that acquires, develops, and ships critical research reagents to investigators around the world. Dr. Matocha has also served as a Policy Analyst for NIH with responsibilities related to the Government Performance and Results Act; NIAID Program Officer with oversight of HIV/AIDS clinical trials; and NIH Scientific Review Officer for managing reviews of research infrastructure and translational science applications. Dr. Matocha holds BS (nursing), MS (biochemistry), and PhD (biochemistry) degrees.
Office of End-of-Life and Palliative Care Research
Jeri L. Miller, PhD, MS, MSc, CCC-SLP (ret)
Chief, Office of End-of-Life and Palliative Care Research
NINR Centers Program
301-594-6152
jmiller@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Miller is the Chief of the Office of End-of-Life and Palliative Care Research (OEPCR) overseeing NINR’s end-of-life and palliative care extramural activities. Previously, she was Head of the Office of Research on End-of-Life Science and Palliative Care Investigator Training, and Education in NINR’s Division of Science Policy and Public Liaison. After completion of an NIH/NICHD/NIH Clinical Center post-doctoral fellowship, she continued as an NIH Intramural Scientist and Principal Investigator of numerous protocols focused on: biomedical image processing and analysis, fetal aerodigestive development, 3D-4D sonographic technologies including tissue characterization, fluid dynamics, orofacial kinematics, musculoskeletal sonography, and automated contour and surface deformation techniques. She received the NINR Team Award for the development and operationalization of the OEPCR and the 2018 Presidential Citation from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine for her work in building national programs of science in palliative care. Dr. Miller holds BSc, MS, MSc, and PhD degrees.
Office of Extramural Research Administration
Brian Albertini
Acting Chief, Office of Extramural Research Administration
Chief, Grants Management Branch
301-594-6869
albertib@mail.nih.gov
Martha Matocha, PhD
Acting Deputy Director, Division of Extramural Science Programs
Branch Chief, Symptom Science and Genetics; Self-Management
301-594-2775
matocham@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Matocha is the Acting Deputy Director of DESP and leads the Symptom Science and Genetics and Self-Management Branch. Dr. Matocha’s research background includes work on the post-translational processing of mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 proteins and differential gene expression in a mouse model of trisomy 21. She served 13 years as Principal Investigator of the NIH-funded AIDS Research and Reference Reagent Program, a resource that acquires, develops, and ships critical research reagents to investigators around the world. Dr. Matocha has also served as a Policy Analyst for NIH with responsibilities related to the Government Performance and Results Act; NIAID Program Officer with oversight of HIV/AIDS clinical trials; and NIH Scientific Review Officer for managing reviews of research infrastructure and translational science applications. Dr. Matocha holds BS (nursing), MS (biochemistry), and PhD (biochemistry) degrees.
Michelle R. J. Hamlet, PhD
Symptom Biology; Symptom Recognition/Assessment; Symptom Clusters
301-496-9623
michelle.hamlet@nih.gov
Dr. Hamlet is a Program Director overseeing a portfolio focused on symptom biology, symptom recognition/assessment, and symptom clusters. Before joining NINR, Dr. Hamlet served as a Program Director at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences where she oversaw basic research and student development programs. Dr. Hamlet also worked at the National Human Genome Research Institute, where she served as a Training Program Coordinator and oversaw and developed new intramural training programs. Dr. Hamlet holds a BS in language arts/French from Georgetown University, a master’s in zoology from Howard University, and a PhD in cell and developmental biology from Harvard University.
Karen Huss, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAAAAI, FAHA
Self-Management; Caregiving; Rehabilitative Care
301-594-5970
hussk@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Huss is a Program Director overseeing a portfolio focused on self-management of acute and chronic conditions, caregiving, and rehabilitative care. Dr. Huss’s portfolio addresses research on the health needs of caregivers and individuals with chronic conditions and self-management interventions and technologies to sustain health and optimize functional capabilities. Dr. Huss’ portfolio encompasses multiple conditions including heart failure, chronic renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary conditions, cancer, and the interface between the biological and behavioral sciences. Dr. Huss previously served in the United States Army Nursing Corps. She was an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing with joint appointments at the Schools of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Huss holds a BSN, MSN, and PhD in nursing science.
Lois A. Tully, PhD (Contractor)
Genomics; Symptom Management
301-594-5968
lois.tully@nih.gov
Dr. Tully assists with oversight of portfolio that encompasses (1) genomics, which addresses the roles, interrelationships, or moderating influences of genes, environment, and behavior on symptom manifestation, disease risks, and patient outcomes, and (2) symptom management, which focuses on biobehavioral approaches to reduce or eliminate adverse symptoms resulting from chronic conditions. Prior to her current role, Dr. Tully served as a program director at NINR and managed a portfolio in genomics and symptom science. Her background includes working at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the research arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, where she served as the Deputy Chief of the Investigative and Forensic Sciences Division and the Program Manager of NIJ’s Forensic DNA Research and Development Program. Dr. Tully holds a BS in medical technology, an MS in forensic sciences, and a PhD in medicine with a concentration in human genetics.
Rebekah Rasooly, PhD
Branch Chief, Wellness; Technology and Training
301-827-2599
rebekah.rasooly@nih.gov
Dr. Rasooly is the Branch Chief for wellness, and technology and training, with interests in program evaluation and precision medicine. Her background is in genetics, genomics and policy issues related to sharing specimens and data from clinical studies. Prior to joining NINR, Dr. Rasooly was a Program Director and Deputy Division Director for the Division of Kidney, Urologic & Hematologic Disease at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. She also did policy work in NIH’s Office of Extramural Programs. Dr. Rasooly received her undergraduate degree from Harvard and her PhD in genetics from Michigan State University. She joined NIH after serving as an Assistant Professor at St. John’s University, a Visiting Professor at Johns Hopkins University and an Assistant Deputy Scientific Director for the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database.
David Banks, PhD, MPH, MSSW, RN
Training; Basic, Biomedical, and Behavioral Research
301-496-9558
david.banks@nih.gov
Dr. Banks is the Extramural Research Training Officer at NINR overseeing NINR’s F and T Series Research Training Programs. Dr. Banks is a nurse scientist who has published articles on blood donation, elder care, HIV/AIDS, and other topics in scientific journals including the American Journal of Public Health; Journal of Black Psychology, and Transfusion. In addition, he represents NINR on the NIH Training Advisory Committee and the Enhancing the Diversity of the NIH-Funded Workforce Working Group. Dr. Banks holds a BSN, BA (economics), MPH, MS (social work), and PhD (human development).
Kristopher Bough, MS, PhD
Technology; Small Business Innovation Research
301-496-6204
kristopher.bough@nih.gov
Dr. Bough is the Director of NINR’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program and oversees a portfolio of healthcare technologies. Prior to joining NINR, Dr. Bough was a Program Director at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for 12 years where he oversaw SBIR/STTR and research project grants focused on the discovery of new therapeutics for addiction (2008-2020). Prior to joining NIDA, Dr. Bough worked as a clinical pharmacologist at the US Food & Drug Administration/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (2005-2008). He is interested in the development of biomarkers and AI-based technologies to improve healthcare. Dr. Bough holds a B.S. degree in Biology from Gettysburg College and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biology (neuroscience) from Georgetown University.
Rebecca Henry, PhD, RN
HIV/AIDS and Immune Function
301-594-5976
rebecca.henry@nih.gov
Dr. Henry is the HIV/AIDS coordinator for NINR and a Program Director overseeing a portfolio focused on HIV/AIDS/immune function. She is an experienced clinician and public health professional and has conducted research and problem-solving studies among immigrant and minority groups in the United States, as well as in communities in Laos, the Philippines, Ghana, Guyana, and Mexico. During her tenure with the Demographic and Health Research Group, Dr. Henry worked with researchers and physicians from around the world on major health initiatives including evaluation strategies to measure the impact of the President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief. Dr. Henry holds a BS (nursing), MA (anthropology), and a PhD (anthropology).
Amanda Alise Price, PhD
Prevention Science
240-276-6170
amanda.price2@nih.gov
Dr. Amanda Price is a Program Director overseeing the prevention science portfolio. Prior to joining the NIH, first as a Program Director at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Dr. Price served as a tenured Associate Professor in the School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) and held several key leadership roles at WSSU, the University of North Carolina System, and the American College of Sports Medicine. In academia, she successfully competed for NIH funding as a principal investigator and generated numerous publications and presentations from her work centered on the prevention and management of chronic diseases through promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors, with an emphasis on addressing health disparities. Furthermore, Dr. Price has specialized expertise in research methods and design, statistics, and training future healthcare professionals. Dr. Price earned both her Ph.D. and B.S.Ed. in exercise physiology with a doctoral concentration in statistics and undergraduate minors in chemistry and sports medicine from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL.
Sung Sug (Sarah) Yoon, PhD, RN
Women’s Health
301-402-6959
sungsug.yoon@nih.gov
Dr. Yoon is a Program Director overseeing a portfolio focused on women’s health and data science. Dr. Yoon completed post-doctoral training at the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke, served as a coordinator in the National Stroke Registry at CDC, and was an epidemiologist in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey at the National Center for Health Statistics. Most recently she was a Scientific Review Officer at NIH’s Center for Scientific Review, where she was responsible for the Nursing and Related Clinical Science study section. Dr. Yoon holds a BSN and a PhD (clinical epidemiology).
Lynn S. Adams, PhD
Palliative Care
NINR Centers Program
301-594-8911
adamsls@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Adams is a Health Scientist Administrator in the Office of End-of-Life and Palliative Care Research overseeing a portfolio focused on palliative care. Prior to joining NINR, she was a Health Scientist Administrator for the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health, an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow, and cancer subject matter specialist on human health risk assessments at the Environmental Protection Agency. Dr. Adams was also a research fellow at the City of Hope where she led preclinical research studies of breast and prostate cancers. Dr. Adams holds AS, BS, and PhD degrees.
Karen A. Kehl, PhD, RN, FPCN
Hospice/End-of-Life Care
NINR Centers Program
301-594-8010
karen.kehl@nih.gov
Dr. Kehl is a Health Scientist Administrator in the Office of End-of-Life and Palliative Care Research overseeing a portfolio focused on end-of-life care and hospice. Dr. Kehl’s research background focuses on improving preparation of families for care in the last phase of life in the home hospice setting. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing. Dr. Kehl is a Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing and holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Nursing.
