The Power of Collaborative Research
Carpenter CoLab is a research team aimed at ensuring equitable care and improving health outcomes for people living with serious illness by advancing palliative care science. Comprising experts from diverse fields such as geriatrics, nursing, palliative care, and project management, the CoLab combines their knowledge and skills to drive groundbreaking research in palliative
care.
The team's collective efforts have resulted in the development of innovative interventions supporting nursing home staff, residents, and their care partners to enhance high quality care in nursing homes. CoLab stands as a shining example of how a research team can transform and advance palliative care science, creating an impact on the lives of people living with serious illness, their families, and those that care for them.
Meet Our Team
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Joan Carpenter, Phd, CRNP, ACHPN, FPCN
Research Director/Principal Investigator
As the Carpenter CoLab PI, I am committed to improving the care of seriously ill older adults through innovative research by building strong relationships among clinicians, researchers, and patients and their care partners. Educated and trained as an advance practice nurse and scientist, I bring broad expertise in geriatrics and palliative care clinical practice and research to the team.
Jasmine Newman, BS
Project Manager
Jasmine has over 9 years of research experience overseeing project management and operations in clinical research and healthcare environments. She also has expertise in recruiting and training staff for human subject research while ensuring that research and clinical trials adhere to regulatory compliance rules. Her research interests include Palliative Care and Oncology.
Alexandra Mora, MS, RN
Research Assistant
I am a second-year doctoral student at the University of Maryland, School of Nursing. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Nursing degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. My research interests include women's health, social determinants of health, and the health needs of underserved and migrant communities.
Jillian Hoelter, BSN
Mentee
I have been involved with Dr. Carpenter's work in various roles. I have enjoyed conducting research, manuscript writing, working with the CoLab team and, more recently, finding creative ways to disseminate research. My research interests include communication frameworks with serious illness and end-of-life patients.
Katie Bowers, MSN, RN
Mentee
My name is Katie Bowers, and I am a fifth year PhD student. As my primary mentor and advisor, Dr. Carpenter has provided me with ample opportunity to engage with her team and in various aspects of her research. These experiences - particularly those focused on qualitative methods - have prepared me greatly for my own dissertation work focused on the lived experience of loneliness in transgender older adults.
Ntaobasi Udeh
Mentee
I am an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and a Certified Advanced Palliative and Hospice Care Practitioner. I have worked in the Palliative Care field for 9 years across the healthcare field – Acute Care, Homecare, and now in the Long-Term Care setting. My passion is Geriatric, and minority patients who are dealing with life-limiting health conditions. I am currently a Part-time Ph.D. Student at the University of Maryland School of Nursing with a research Focus on Palliative Care in the Long-Term Care setting.
Elisha Baafi Oduro, RN
Graduate Research Assistant and Mentee
I am a third-year, Ph.D. student. My academic and research pursuits are guided by a strong conviction to make the world a better place for individuals and families grappling with serious. This conviction is reflected in my research focus on enhancing access to palliative care and reducing racial and ethnic disparities in palliative care.
Melissa McClean MSN, CRNP, ANP-BC, ACHPN
Instructor and Mentee
As a palliative care clinician, educator, researcher, and PhD student, I strive to improve the care of older adults and their families navigating serious illness. With over 10 years of experience in advanced nursing practice in end-of-life care, I am equipped to transform clinical and classroom environments with a focus on primary and specialty-level palliative care.