Biobehavioral

Welcome to the Biobehavioral RIG

The Biobehavioral RIG is focused on advancing nursing knowledge related to the interactions between biology and behavior in order to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities. The purpose of the Biobehaviorial RIG is to serve the membership of SNRS by providing opportunities for collaboration, education, and peer support around issues associated with measurement and design of biobehavioral studies, obtaining research funding, and publications. We plan to provide the members of the RIG a forum for examining state-of-the-art methodologies and approaches as well as theories that will provide new directions in studying complex clinical problems.

SNRS Distinguished Student Scholar Award in Biobehavioral Science

Purpose: The purpose of this award is to recognize the contribution of a rising pre or post-doctoral student-investigator who is actively conducting research to advance nursing knowledge related to the interactions between biology and behavior. Awardees will receive a plaque and a monetary prize of $400.

Award Guidelines: Each nominee for the SNRS Biobehavioral RIG Distinguished Student Scholar Award must:

  • be a student member of SNRS in good standing;
  • be a member of the SNRS Biobehavioral RIG;
  • have obtained committee approval for conducting a project that uses a biobehavioral framework and corresponding measures for studying a clinical problem;
  • have demonstrated success in obtaining extramural funding for this research (including Sigma Theta Tau, NIH, NSF, AHA, AACN, institutional NRSA or similar grant mechanism). University funding of $3,000 or more to complete a research projects can also be considered demonstrated success in obtaining extramural funding.
  • adhere to the nomination process as outlined below.
  • give a presentation at the annual meeting of the RIG.

Nomination Procedure: Nominations must be made by an active SNRS member (regular, student, or retired member); self-nominations will be accepted.

Each nomination packet should include:

  • a current curriculum vitae of the nominee,
  • a complete nomination form with the signature of the nominator,
  • a letter of support from the nominee's research advisor that addresses the innovativeness of the work and the potential significance of the nominee's research for furthering nursing knowledge or practice,
  • a PDF copy of the study abstract and a 3-5 page, single spaced 12 point font, .5 inch margins, overview of the problem, the theoretical framework that guides the study, study design and methods, as well as a discussion of the potential impact of the study for the student's program of research and for understanding a clinical problem.

Criteria for evaluating applications:

Progression in their program (publications, presentations, completed pilot work, success in receiving funding).
The theoretical underpinnings and methodology used to examine the problem addressed in this study, including:
      Innovativeness of the methodology or theoretical approach.
      Potential for establishing a program of research in Biobehavioral science.
The potential impact of the program of research for understanding a clinical problem.

Submit the nomination packet by e-mail attachment to Debra Lyon, kan@vcu.edu by January 15, 2018.

NOTE: The nominator will receive e-mail notification that the nomination was received within five days of submission. If notification is not received, contact Debra Lyon at kan@vcu.edu.

Leadership Opportunities

Participation in RIG activities is a great way to hone your leadership skills and a mentoring opportunity for those who wish to gain leadership roles in both regional and national organizations.  Interested in working on special RIG sponsored projects?  Please contact one of the RIG Leaders.

Click here for a list of current and past Biobehavioral RIG Leaders.

Mentors: Stand up and be Counted!

The RIG is creating a listing of RIG members who would be willing to serve as reviewers for RIG sponsored grants or to assist in the review of student/faculty manuscripts.  Anyone interested in being a mentor should contact Kyungeh An at kan@vcu.edu.