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A Q&A With Our New Post-Doctoral Fellows

The Post-Doctoral Fellowship program at the University of Utah College of Nursing is dedicated to advancing research and professional development in nursing science. As a top U.S. nursing school for NIH research funding, we offer training in both in-residence and distance formats to accommodate a diverse group of emerging researchers. 

We spoke with three incoming post-doctoral fellows—Drs. Sharon Bigger, Mary Killela, and Clarisa Medina-Poeliniz—to gain insight into their experiences and motivations. Learn more about their journeys and what they hope to achieve during their time with us. 

Sharon Bigger

Sharon Bigger 

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to the postdoctoral program at the University of Utah? 

Sharon Bigger: I am a former medical interpreter with bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, and a career hospice nurse. My research focuses on communication with diverse populations around goals of care, particularly transitions between home health and hospice. My work has included collaboration with the International End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, including visits to Mexico and upcoming work in Puerto Rico. 

Q: What drew you to the University of Utah College of Nursing for your postdoctoral fellowship? 

Sharon Bigger: I was attracted by the interdisciplinary nature of the program. The opportunity to apprentice with an expert like Dr. Kara Dassel, who is working on the LEAD Guide intervention to facilitate conversations between people with early-stage dementia and their care partners, aligns perfectly with my research goals. The program’s commitment to integrating community and societal levels of influence in nursing research is a great fit for my interests. 

Q: What are you most excited about achieving during your time here? 

Sharon Bigger: I am excited about the opportunity to work closely with leading experts and advance my own research program. The interdisciplinary approach at Utah, which blends various fields and perspectives, is something I have always valued and am eager to contribute to. 

Mary Killela

Mary Killela 

Q: Can you provide an overview of your educational background and what led you to pursue research in nursing? 

Mary Killela: I completed my undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by a second degree in nursing. My interest in research grew from my clinical experiences, where I saw the potential for research to extend the impact of bedside care. My research focuses on coping with the financial costs of cancer care, particularly helping families navigate insurance and crowdfunding options. 

Q: What motivated you to choose the University of Utah College of Nursing for your postdoctoral fellowship? 

Mary Killela: The match between my research interests and the College of Nursing’s focus on caregiving research was a major draw. The opportunity to work on health insurance literacy interventions and to integrate my background in crowdfunding with the College’s resources and expertise was compelling. The supportive environment and expert mentorship available here made Utah an ideal choice. 

Q: What are your primary goals for this fellowship? 

Mary Killela: My goal is to enhance my skills in independent research and contribute to ongoing projects at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. I am looking forward to deepening my understanding of caregiving research and applying my findings to improve support for families dealing with cancer. 

Clarisa Medina-Poeliniz

Clarisa Medina-Poeliniz 

Q: Could you share a bit about your educational journey and how it led you to this postdoctoral program? 

Clarisa Medina-Poeliniz: I completed my bachelor’s in nursing at the University of Illinois at Edwardsville. My clinical experience has been in a variety of settings related to maternal-child health that spans over 20 years. I completed a post-master’s certificate from the University of Illinois at Chicago. I went on to complete my PhD from Rush University, College of Nursing with a focus on the role of maternal obesity on biological lactation outcomes and translated the utility of human milk biomarkers as an objective measure of secretory activation. My career has been centered on maternal-child health, and I have observed how obesity impacts maternal health and outcomes. The college’s culture, scholarly match, and the distance learning option offered by the University of Utah was particularly appealing, allowing me to balance my research ambitions with my professional commitments. 

Q: What aspects of the University of Utah College of Nursing’s program are you most excited about? 

Clarisa Medina-Poeliniz: I am eager to engage with mentorship opportunities and develop my skills and knowledge with the goal of becoming an independent researcher. The program’s focus on integrating social determinants of health and being matched with mentors who have mutual interests in maternal health and sleep is especially exciting. I also appreciate the flexibility of the distance learning format, which allows me to stay connected with my ongoing work while participating in this fellowship. 

Q: How did you learn about the postdoctoral program at the University of Utah? 

Clarisa Medina-Poeliniz: I learned about the program from a former postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Sarah Wawrzynski whom I met at a national nurse scientist conference. Hearing about the supportive environment and excellent resources here made it a top choice for me. The program’s reputation and the positive feedback from previous fellows were significant factors in my decision.