Research
Laurie Connors
Principal Investigator & Lab Director
Research Team
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Research Assistant
Artemis Pham is an undergraduate student majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of South Florida. Her research focuses on preventing breast, cervical, and skin cancer which are areas where early detection and education can make a life-changing difference. Working with this research team, Artemis investigates health disparities, PTSD, and transgenerational trauma affecting marginalized and vulnerable populations, aiming to implement evidence-based practices. She also contributes to the SWFCCC community outreach events and programs, providing accessible cancer screenings that can potentially save lives.
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Research Assistant
Christopher Tan is a pre-medical student at USF majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Minoring in General Public Health and Infection Control. He was salutatorian of his class at Jesuit High School. He plans to become a physician because he believes this career best aligns with his skill set and desires to help benefit people mentally, physically, and spiritually. Some of his medical interests include pediatric orthopedics, cardiology, and dermatology. He is currently involved as an undergraduate research leader in the Undergraduate Research Society, he serves as a small group leader at the Catholic Student Union and is engaged in learning the medical profession.
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Research Assistant
Fadi Gouda is an undergraduate honors student at the University of South Florida (USF), majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Psychology. He was salutatorian of the 2023 Steinbrenner High School graduating class and is devoted to pursuing medical school to become a surgeon, guided by a lifelong passion for service and a desire to help others through healing. Fadi has conducted research at both Moffitt Cancer Center as well as USF, focusing on cancer and protein biology. He co-founded Back on Track America, a nonprofit that supports individuals facing homelessness, and actively volunteers in hospitals and clinics, merging science, service, and leadership. As a devoted Christian, Fadi’s faith inspires his love, compassion, and commitment to serving others through medicine.
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Research Assistant
Ngan Ha Nguyen is an undergraduate student at the Judy Genshaft Honors College of the University of South Florida. As an international student hailing from a developing Asian country, Ha's experiences in adapting to different cultural norms and societal systems aid a better understanding of the challenges that refugees face in adapting to new environments. In addition, Ha's involvement in participating in and organizing different events across her home country gives her exposure to different social classes and helps her build a network with various organizations in Vietnam.
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Graduate Research Assistant
Natasa is a doctoral student at the USF Health College of Nursing with a concentration in Biobehavioral Science. She holds MSN and BSN degrees and has specialized training in Functional Medicine, Women's Health, and Aging with an emerging expertise in computational biology. Her research interests center on understanding how reproductive aging moderates neuroendocrine function, sleep architecture, and biological markers across the female lifespan.
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TIGER Program Manager
TIGER 2026 Application Site
Nursing faculty interested in applying to Translation and Integration of Genomics is Essential to Doctoral Nursing “TIGER” research educational program are invited to complete the application form below.
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Translation and Integration of Genomics is Essential to doctoral nursing “TIGER”
National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, R25HG011018,
$689,490 2020-2025
Develop and implement educational programs and materials aimed at achieving competency in genomics for doctoral nurses; prepare doctoral nurses to integrate genetic and genomic content into academics and clinical practice; and determine areas of strengths and weaknesses of doctoral nurses in foundational genomic concepts to inform future educational planning.
Southwest Florida Cancer Control Collaborative (SWFCCC)
Funded by The Florida Department of Health
Dr. Laurie M. Connors appointed as Coordinator (August 2025)
The Mo-Bull Community Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Project
Funded by Sylvester, Moffitt, and UFHCC Community Implementation Grant (PI Laurie Connors)
This project aims to increase breast and cervical cancer screening in Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties through mobile mammography and Pap test screenings. In collaboration with the FBCCEDP Pasco County, SWFCCC HPV and Cervical Cancer Workgroup, and the University of South Florida College of Nursing Mo-Bull Nurse Medical Clinic, this team provides mammograms and Pap testing in at least two community events in the target counties in 2025.
NAVIGATE-BC: Navigation to Address Vulnerabilities and Improve Guidance for Adverse Events and Treatment Engagement in Breast Cancer
Funded by Lilly/ Eli Lilly and Company and Lilly USA, LLC (PI Laurie Connors)
08/11/2025 - 8/31/2027 $500,000
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and Orlando Health (OH) in partnership with the University of South Florida (USF) and Synchronyx, propose a multi-site quality improvement initiative with a patient navigation program aimed at reducing the time from patient-reported adverse events and addressing social challenges for individuals with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer receiving oral cyclin- dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor therapy (CDK4/6 inhibitors).
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American Association of Nurse Practitioners Podcast
New Podcast Episode! "Acute Hepatic Porphyria: Beware the Zebra" 🦓 On Rare Disease Day, join Drs. Paula Tucker and Laurie Connors as they delve into Acute Hepatic Porphyria (AHP), a rare genetic disorder often missed in diagnosis. They discuss clinical presentations, triggers, complications, and management strategies, emphasizing early diagnosis and genetic testing. A case study highlights the collaborative care needed for patients with AHP. Listen now on your preferred podcast platform!
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Laurie Connors Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=VdmCIBEAAAAJ&hl=en
Connors, L. M., Friend, P., & Kelly, P. (2025, January 16-18). Yearn to Learn: TIGER champions leading Impact and Influence by infusing genomics in healthcare and education. [Poster presentation]. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Doctoral Education Conference, Coronado, CA
Kelly, P., Friend, P., & Connors, L. M. (2024, April 26). Doctoral nurses leading the charge for genomics translation & integration. [Podium presentation]. 49th Annual ONS Congress, Washington, DC.
Connors, L. M. & Wysocki, K. (2023). Genomics education for advance practice nurses: Staying cutting edge. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 35(12), 784-786. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000958.
Connors, L. M., Friend, P., & Kelly, P. (2025). Genomics in nursing: Inspired by the translation and integration of genomics, is essential to doctoral nursing champions' yearn to learn. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners ():10.1097/JXX.0000000000001181, August 14, 2025. DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000001181
Connors, L.M. & Allison, T. L. (2025). DNA banking: Saving your genetic legacy for the future. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 37(8):p 433-435, August 2025. DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000001156
Lyon, M., Maiese, D., Blitzer, M., West, R., Pan, V., Mendoza, C. Z., Connors, L. M, Ogata, B., MacLeod, E., Park, N., Sontag, M., Caisse, M., Edick, M. J., Mann, S., Sanghavi, K., Bodurtha, J., Andersson, H., Arnold, G., & Blitzer, M. G. (2025). The 2023 medical genetics workforce in the United States. Genetics in Medicine: Official Journal of the American College of Medical Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gim.2025.101461