S2CER2 Fellowship Program

Systems Science and Comparative and Cost-Effectiveness Research Training for Nurse Scientists (S2CER2)

Funded by an NIH-NINR T32 Institutional Training Grant, the Systems Science and Comparative and Cost-Effectiveness Research Training for Nurse Scientists (S2CER2) program aims to address the systemic and structural inequities in minority populations, develop interventions that address social determinants of health, and design systems and models of care. Each fellow is matched with two faculty mentors—one within nursing and one from another field—to advise them in pursuing original health policy research and helping to prepare them for influential careers as nurse scientists and advocates.

The program builds on the complementary strengths of Columbia University School of Nursing’s faculty who have expertise in mentoring pre and postdoctoral students in S2CER2 methods and the robust infrastructure of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

What is S2CER2?

S2CER2 is a NINR-funded (T32NR014205) pre and postdoctoral fellowship program aimed to prepare nurse scientists in these important methods. Fellows are provided with the foundation required to recognize and address the real world information needs of patients, providers and policy makers by examining the comparative and/or cost effectiveness of competing interventions for high-risk and underserved populations across the continuum of care.

What does a S2CER2 fellowship offer?

  • Mentoring and research support: Fellows are matched with two faculty mentors, one within nursing and one from another field, to advise them as they pursue one or more original research projects using S2CER2 methods to assess competing interventions for high-risk and underserved populations across the continuum of care. For predoctoral fellows, this research project is the student’s dissertation.
  • Networking: Monthly seminars provide opportunities to meet with researchers and students from different disciplines, research, and practice environments.
  • Tuition, fees, and health insurance: Up to three years of tuition and fees are provided. All trainees receive individual or family health insurance.
  • Funds for travel and research-related supplies: Fellows receive funds to travel to one scientific meeting, annually, and additional funds are available to support research activities, as needed.
  • Stipends: Fellows receive stipends consistent with NIH guidelines

Who should apply for S2CER2?

  • Postdoctoral fellows must be a recent PhD graduate (within three years of defense of dissertation) from any accredited university who is also a registered nurse.
  • All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Current Predoctoral Fellows

  • Justinna Dixon, BSN, RN

    Justinna Dixon, BSN, RN has clinical experience in psychiatric and substance abuse care. Her research interests surround health disparities in individuals with mental health conditions and the nursing workforce.

     

  • Madison Horton, BSN, RN

    Madison Horton, BSN, RN is a predoctoral fellow under the mentorship of Dr. Lusine Poghosyan PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN through the Center for Healthcare Delivery Research and Innovations. Her research interest is on migrant health, with her work focused on immigrant populations and language barriers in primary care settings.

  • Victoria Winogora MSN, NP, BS, RN, BA

    Victoria Winogora MSN, NP, BS, RN, BA is a T32 predoctoral trainee for Systems Science and Comparative and Cost-Effectiveness Research Training for Nurse Scientists (S2CER2). Her background includes a BA in history and philosophy of science from The University of Chicago. Prior to starting the program, she worked as a nurse practitioner in the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her research interests include improving healthcare delivery models to reduce health disparities in vulnerable populations, and health equity.

Current Postdoctoral Fellows

  • Ji Won Lee, PhD

    Ji Won Lee, PhD is a postdoctoral research fellow under the mentorship of JingJing Shang, PhD, FAAN. Her program of research aims to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations undergoing total hip/knee replacements.

  • Christine DeForge, PhD, RN, CCRN

    Christine DeForge is a postdoctoral research fellow whose program of research aims to improve end-of-life care for patients and families who experience critical illness.  Under the mentorship of Dr. Patricia Stone, her current work focuses on exploring variations in discharge disposition and hospice utilization for seriously ill hospitalized older adults.

  • Maura Dougherty, PhD, CRNA

    Dr. Dougherty is a T32 postdoctoral research fellow at the Columbia University School of Nursing in the Center for Healthcare Delivery Research and Innovations. Her program of research examines the role of nursing in improving surgical patient outcomes. The aim of her research is to inform health policy and provide evidence to change organizational structures.

  • Kimberlee Grier, PhD BSN RN CHPPN

    Kimberlee Grier is a postdoctoral research fellow. She has worked with both chronically ill adults and children, finding her passion in pediatric hospice and palliative care, specifically community-based care. She was dually nationally certified as a Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse and a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. Through her experience at work, she became highly motivated to contribute to the research of priority populations, including pediatric patients and families. She has published in the Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing as well as presented at both US and international conferences. Her interest in health policy and passion for advocating for vulnerable pediatric populations led her to the Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy where she was chosen as a Margolis Honors Scholar. 

  • Aleigha Mason, PhD, RN

    Aleigha Mason is a postdoctoral fellow. Her program of research is focused on examining the influence of nursing care delivery on maternal health outcomes and organizational change within health systems to support nurses in improving the quality of maternal care delivery and outcomes.

Prior Trainees

Learn more about S2CER2 and begin the application process

Contact Patricia Stone, PhD at ps2024@columbia.edu or Lusine Poghosyan, PhD, MPH, RN at lp2475@cumc.columbia.edu