Chuka Nestor Emezue, PhD, MPH, MPA, CHES, an assistant professor in the Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing in Rush’s College of Nursing, has been awarded the 2022 Distinguished Qualitative Dissertation Award from the Qualitative Methods Research & Implementation RIIG of the Midwest Nursing Research Society and the 2022 Health of Diverse Populations RIIG New Investigator Award. The first honor recognizes the outstanding doctoral work of those contributing to qualitative research and the second goes to early career researchers who focus on diverse populations.
Emezue’s dissertation for his PhD from the Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia, focused on rural young men’s receptiveness to technology-based interventions for dating violence prevention. His dissertation explored dating violence risk perceptions in young rural males and investigated their preferences for interactive and tailored technology-based interventions. The study involved 27 young males, ages 15 to 24, from rural areas across the U.S. who participated in individual interviews, focus groups and a needs elicitation activity called “Wishlisting” to find out the must-haves for a dating violence prevention app.
“We are so proud to celebrate Dr. Emezue for this well-deserved recognition of his innovative and important work,” says Christine Kennedy, PhD, RN, FAAN, John L. and Helen Kellogg Dean at the College of Nursing. “Supporting research, especially among early career faculty, is one of the core commitments of the College.”
Emezue joined the College of Nursing in August 2021 and works with DNP, PhD and master’s students in the Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing. His research primarily focuses on technology-enhanced interventions that address co-occurring domestic and family violence prevention, substance use and mental health disorders.
“It is an honor to receive this recognition and these two awards from my peers,” Emezue says. “I hope that my research informs innovative approaches to addressing and preventing all forms of interpersonal violence. If we can view violence and co-occurring issues through an intersectional lens, we’re more likely to co-design meaningful solutions with those most in need while improving quality of life, addressing health inequities, and empowering our patients, their families and communities.”
Researchers at Rush University College of Nursing lead a range of multidisciplinary studies targeting the prevention and treatment of health conditions. Much of the research focuses on the health needs of the highly diverse populations of the Near West Side of Chicago, with an emphasis on the need to eliminate health disparities.
The 46th Annual MRNS Research Conference will be held at the end of March in Schaumburg, Illinois.
