"Committed to Nursing Science"
40 Years of Bringing Researchers Together
Join us in Austin, TX February 18-20, 2026
Renaissance Austin Hotel
Join Us in Austin for the 40th Annual SNRS Conference
We are thrilled to invite you to the 40th Annual Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) Conference, taking place in February 2026 in beautiful Austin, Texas.
This milestone event celebrates four decades of advancing nursing science, elevating the voices of nurse scholars, and improving health outcomes across the diverse communities we serve throughout the Southern region.
The SNRS Annual Conference is our signature event and a vital gathering place for nurse researchers, educators, clinicians, and students. In 2025, nearly 500 attendees joined us in Memphis, Tennessee—and the energy, collaboration, and scholarly exchange there continue to inspire our vision for 2026.
Our upcoming conference promises an even more dynamic and inclusive experience, honoring our legacy while charting a bold path forward. With the theme “Committed to Nursing Science,” we will highlight innovative research, foster meaningful collaboration, and showcase the impact of nursing science on today’s most pressing healthcare challenges—from disparities in health outcomes and mental health to health systems innovation and community resilience.
Join us as we celebrate 40 years of bringing researchers together and shaping the future of nursing science.
Keynote Speaker
Diane Santa Maria, DrPH, RN, PHNA-BC, ACRN, FSAHM, FAAN
Jane and Robert Cizik Distinguished Chair
Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair in Nursing Education Leadership
Dean and Professor, Department of Research
UTHealth Houston Cizik School of Nursing
Wednesday, February 18 | 1:00 PM CST
Presentation Title:
“Beyond the Noise: Leaning into the Power of Nursing Science in Turbulent Times”
Dr. Diane Santa Maria is a nationally recognized nurse scientist, educator, and leader dedicated to improving the health and well-being of at-risk and vulnerable youth. As Dean and Professor, and the Jane and Robert Cizik Distinguished and Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Cizik School of Nursing, she has guided the school from being unranked to among the nation’s top ten in NIH funding—reflecting her strategic vision and commitment to research excellence.
Dr. Santa Maria serves as Co-Investigator for the Texas Developmental Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), where she directs both the Developmental Core and the Substance Use Scientific Working Group. She is also a member of the Inter-CFAR Substance Use Research Committee and board member of the NIH Office of AIDS Research Advisory Council.
Her NIH- and foundation-funded research over the past decade has focused on developing and testing nurse-led, technology-supported interventions to prevent HIV and substance use among youth experiencing homelessness. Her current NIH R01 trial, MY-RIDE, tests a just-in-time adaptive mobile intervention, while her R34 project develops HIV and substance use prevention strategies for youth following sexual assault.
Through her research, mentorship, and policy engagement, Dr. Santa Maria has informed statewide initiatives supporting youth aging out of foster care and addressing youth homelessness. Her work demonstrates the impact of nursing science in driving innovation, improving care, and creating meaningful change for young people facing significant life challenges.
Alexa Stuifbergen, PhD, RN, FAAN, the James R. Dougherty Centennial Professor of Nursing, received her PhD in Nursing from The University of Texas at Austin, her MSN from the University of Texas at El Paso, and her BSN from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She has had a highly successful academic career at the University of Texas at Austin, including service as Division Chair, Associate Dean for Research (1999–2009), and Dean (2009–2023).
Dr. Stuifbergen is an established senior nurse scientist whose contributions to nursing research span forty years and include descriptive longitudinal studies and complex self-management interventions to enhance health and quality of life for persons with chronic and disabling conditions. This work has been supported by five R01 awards (three for clinical trials), an R29, and an R21.
In addition, she served as PI and Director of the high-impact NINR-funded Center for Health Promotion Research in Underserved Populations (2000–2011; P30NR005051) and as Associate Director and Director of the Institutional NRSA Precision Health Intervention Methodology Training in Self-Management of Multiple Chronic Conditions (T32NR019035; 2020–2025).
Dr. Stuifbergen’s innovative work has been funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research, the Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health. Her findings are reflected in more than 275 publications and presentations.
She has served on numerous national committees for the Rehabilitation Nursing Foundation, the Department of Defense, the National MS Society, and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Stuifbergen served as a member of the National Advisory Council on Nursing Research (2015–2019) and was inducted in 2017 into the Sigma Theta Tau International Researcher Hall of Fame.
Keynote Speaker
Alexa Stuifbergen, PhD, RN, FAAN
James R. Dougherty Jr. Centennial Professor of Nursing
The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
Friday, February 20 | 8:45 AM CST
Presentation Title:
“Innovative Strategies to Develop and Sustain a Program of
Research: 1986 to 2026"
